Registered charity The Gallaher Trust has announced the launch of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, which offers attendees the chance to gain a hospitality qualification and secure guaranteed employment with one of three Northern Ireland hotels.
Over the next three years, The Gallaher Trust will invest almost £260,000 in supporting the Northern Ireland Hospitality School.
The brand new educational centre focusses on providing hospitality training and a pathway to employment for those seeking a career in the industry.
Backed by City & Guilds, the school will offer a six-week Level 2 Award in Professional Bartending (Cocktails) course delivered in partnership with the Northern Regional College.
Upon successful completion of the course, newly qualified bartenders will be guaranteed employment at one of the following three Northern Ireland hotels: Adair Arms Hotel, Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort or Tullyglass House Hotel.
With an estimated 72 jobs available over the next three years, the hospitality partnership represents a combined investment of more than £1.3 million into local employment.
The Gallaher Trust Chair Statement
The Gallaher Trust chair Ian Paisley MP stated, "I'm delighted to launch the Northern Ireland Hospitality School and confirm a significant jobs boost for the local area today. The Gallaher Trust is an independent charity committed to promoting job creation and skills development and providing support for disadvantaged adults in the Ballymena community.
"The idea for the Northern Ireland Hospitality School came from a group of passionate industry professionals who wanted to fill a gap in the market for people looking to change or start their career in hospitality and, after years of planning, it's fantastic to see the school open and ready for its first intake of enrollers.
"For us, facilitating a pathway to employment is key to the school's success, and we're thrilled to be working with three of Northern Ireland's leading hoteliers to provide guaranteed jobs alongside first class skills training with education and delivery partner Northern Regional College all of which will meet the tenets of the Trust."
Mid And East Antrim Borough Council Chief Executive Statement
Meanwhile, Anne Donaghy, the chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, which has also given some support, commented, "After a challenging year for the sector, and for those employed in the hospitality industry, today's announcement is a positive step forward in working towards recovery and generating new career opportunities. It's also a fantastic boost for the local economy and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting education and employment."
Northern Regional College Lecturer Statement
Northern Regional College lecturer Ashley Douglas added, "We're thrilled to partner with the newly established Northern Ireland Hospitality School and deliver a fantastic new training programme for those keen to pursue a career in hospitality. The new City & Guilds course offers a real mix of training, from basic bartending to the art of mixology, sales techniques and finance training to personal development.
"We're also excited to welcome the first intake of 12 enrollers in May, with a view to placing successful candidates into employment by late June. With no formal entry requirements, the course is accessible to everyone that can demonstrate a passion for delivering excellence, and offers a fantastic opportunity for those interested in a career in hospitality to get a first foot on the ladder with a top Northern Ireland employer.
"With further course intakes planned for late 2021 and into 2022, I would encourage anyone interested in applying for the course to visit nihospitalityschool.com for more information."
© 2021 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
