NI Hospitality School graduates double in last year

The number of students graduating from the Northern Ireland Hospitality School has doubled within the last year from 36 in 2024 to 71 in 2025, with all of this year’s graduates remaining in employment in local hotels or going on to further education.

Confirming plans to widen its net to include more hotel partners in the Mid and East Antrim area in the short-term future, the School has also attracted seven new funders from the private sector, seeing support almost doubling over the last 12 months.

Established in 2021 and initially funded by The Gallaher Trust, the Northern Ireland Hospitality School is a collaboration between three Ballymena-based hotels, Galgorm Resort, the Tullyglass House Hotel and the Adair Arms Hotel. With courses delivered by Northern Regional College, the Northern Ireland Hospitality School was set up to provide opportunities for skills development and in response to the industry wide issue of recruiting and maintaining highly skilled staff.

Boasting a number of academies covering the bar, chef and restaurant service disciplines, a total of 230 students have graduated since the School’s inception, 128 of these graduating through the bar academy, while 94 have completed the restaurant academy. A total of 11 chefs have also graduated since 2021, with three chefs in this year’s class.

Thrilled with the success of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School thus far, Ashley Douglas, Director of Operations says: “Quite simply our mission is to deliver world-class training to our students that we can eventually expand beyond the realms of Ballymena to additional locations within the Mid and East Antrim Council area and eventually across Northern Ireland.

“Thanks to the support of our funders and partners we are successfully delivering international training from a number of alcoholic and non-alcoholic companies including Irish vodka brand, iStil38, French liqueur house, Giffards and the Real Fruit Company, based in the US, alongside catering providers that are championing innovation in the kitchen, spearheading the latest technologies. Access to this expertise, coupled with our tutors’ extensive industry experience, equips our graduates with up-to-date practical knowledge of the latest techniques, trends and innovations that will enable them to thrive in a sector that’s constantly developing.

“However, securing additional private sector investment is about so much more than just funding. It’s about leveraging our partners’ unique knowledge of the industry to inspire our participants while enhancing their skills, equipping them for a long-term career within the hospitality sector.”

According to Chairman, Eddie McKeever, the School’s role is not only equipping students with in-demand skills and helping them to secure employment, it’s also shaping long-term careers and driving the town’s economic growth by creating a skilled workforce that supports businesses and attracts further investment.

“Over the years, we have delivered tangible results that have given other businesses in the hospitality sector the confidence to support our efforts, which will help to secure the future of the sector, and make a real difference to the Ballymena economy,” he said.

“Our ultimate goal is to firmly establish the Northern Ireland Hospitality School as a centre of excellence for training and a blueprint that can be rolled out across the region to help alleviate the challenge of recruiting talented staff. We’re delighted with what we’ve achieved so far and are immensely proud of our graduates who no doubt will enjoy fulfilling careers in the hospitality sector.”

Of the graduates, four bar tenders have progressed to supervisor roles and three have been promoted to bar manager posts. Djann Balmes, who graduated from the School in September 2021, is currently managing the Conservatory and Gin Library at Galgorm Resort and described his experience as “invaluable.”

“I can honestly say that signing up to the Northern Ireland Hospitality School was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Djann said.

“Learning from tutors who have been working in the industry for many years, alongside gaining the latest insights from training with some of the industry’s biggest drinks brands, has given me the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in every stage of my career.

“I’m really enjoying my role and having the ability to make each guest’s experience memorable is something I find really rewarding.”

The Northern Ireland Hospitality School’s current funders include: Britvic Ireland, Proximo Spirits, Edward Dillon, Ewings Seafood, MCM Spirits, iStil38, Tenants NI, Anzac, Diageo, Farmview Dairies, La Rousse Foods, Richmond Marketing, Outwalker, Drinksology, Kirker Greer, Lisdergan Butchery, Henderson Foodservice, Stephens Catering, and Galgorm Group.  

For more information on the Northern Ireland Hospitality School and its academies, visit the website: www.nihospitalityschool.com.