Skills development will boost hospitality and tourism sector

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey today congratulated organisations working together to develop skills for the hospitality and tourism sector.

Launching the new 'Skills Action Plan for the Hospitality and Tourism Sector', the Minister said: “The hospitality and tourism sector has ambitious plans for future growth which I am determined will not be hampered by a shortage of skilled people.

“The collaborative approach advocated in the action plan, where employers, government and the colleges are all at the table, is the key to its success and I fully support the recommendations.”

The action plan comes at an important time for the industry particularly as the Northern Ireland Tourist Board are soon to go out to consultation on their tourism strategy which sets out ambitious plans for the future growth of the sector.

The Strategic Skills Action Plan which has been agreed by a group consisting of many of the sector’s key stakeholders, aims to address the current and future skills needs of the sector. As such, the plan focuses on the need to increase the number of people with chef skills, to build on the management and leadership talents within the industry and improve the customer service skills of front line staff.

Welcoming the action plan, Howard Hastings from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said: "Our people are a key element of the new Northern Ireland visitor experience. I welcome the Skills Action Plan which will play a crucial role in helping to ensure that our workforce has the skills necessary to help us achieve our ambitious tourism strategy."

Highlighting the importance of the action plan, Stephen Magorrian, Chairperson of the Future Skills Action Group and Managing Director of Botanic Inns Ltd said: "The action plan is undoubtedly great news for the hospitality and tourism sector. It will attract and develop young talent into the sector which is vital in securing the future needs of the industry. This is an exciting time for the hospitality and tourism sector and it is crucial that employers, government and colleges all work together to ensure its success."

Notes to editors:

1. The action group is known in full as the Future Skills Action Group (FSAG). It is an advisory body whose role is to establish current and future skills needs for the hospitality and tourism sector including estimating potential numbers and skills levels required. They will advise, design, develop, test, trial and evaluate new interventions which are able to meet existing and future skills needs within the sector; and act as a ‘Champion’ for the sector.
2. The Future Skills Action Group will also advise government on projected requirements and make recommendations on the steps required to meet identified need.
3. The first meeting of the FSAG took place on 20 November 2008.
4. The FSAG will work with People 1st, NI Tourist Board, Invest NI, the private sector and the Department for Employment and Learning to identify skills demands for the hospitality and tourism sector. In addition it will work with the Higher Education, Further Education and schools sectors to develop appropriate intervention training programmes to meet current and future skills needs and with Invest NI, the Department for Employment and Learning, Careers IAG, Further Education, Higher Education, and People 1st to promote the employment opportunities in the sector to individuals.
5. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.