New hospitality school offers guaranteed bartending jobs

New hospitality school offers guaranteed bartending jobs

A Northern Ireland Hospitality School offering people the chance to gain a hospitality qualification and guaranteed employment in a top hotel has been launched.

Over the next three years, The Gallaher Trust will invest almost £260,000 in supporting a brand new education centre focused on providing a pathway to employment for those seeking a career in the industry.

Backed by City & Guilds, it will offer a six-week Level 2 Award in Professional Bartending  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 three hotels; the 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.

Gallagher Trust chair Ian Paisley MP, said: “I’m delighted to launch the Northern Ireland Hospitality School and confirm a significant jobs boost for the local area.

Colin Johnston, Galgorm Collection MD, Anne Donaghy, Mid & East Antrim Council, Eddie McKeever, Adair Arms Hotel Manager, Ashley Douglas, Northern Regional College, Anne Birt-Macartney, Northern Regional College, Ian Paisley MP and Gus McConville, Tullyglass Hotel MD

“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.”

‘Positive step’

Anne Donaghy, the chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, added: “After a challenging year for the sector, and for those employed in the hospitality industry, the 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.”

“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.”