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“Most Rewarding Initiative” - 'Get into Hospitality’ Grows From Strength to Strength
A recent Belfast Met Hospitality intervention is growing from strength to strength after 50 students successfully completed the innovative programme with a number of students gaining employment whilst on the programme and many more joining the sector since March 2023.
The ‘Get into Hospitality’ programme, funded through The Northern Ireland Office and Department for the Economy’s Skill Up programme, aims to attract and upskill potential new entrants into the Hospitality sector. Developed with direct input from industry the programme gives participants an industry-relevant accredited qualification, insight into a career in hospitality, along with practical skills which they can apply to their new role.Colin Neil, CEO at Hospitality Ulster said: “I am not exaggerating when I say this is the most rewarding initiative, I have been involved in during my time with Hospitality Ulster.”
Get into Hospitality participant, Chloe said: “The course really did help me so much – I thoroughly enjoyed it. I learned so much that I needed and remembered that I have brought into my new job I got in my local bar/restaurant. I have been working there for nearly a month now and I am absolutely loving it. I am also receiving amazing feedback from my other colleagues and managers.”
Belfast Met, in collaboration with Hospitality Ulster, delivered an initial pilot programme which was met with huge demand from both participants and industry. All training was delivered in hospitality premises in Central Belfast allowing students to gain practical skills within actual bar and restaurant settings. Participants picked up practical skills including pouring the perfect pint, cocktail making, best-practice foodservice procedures and 100% of students achieved their OCN Level 2 Principles of Customer Service qualification and completed a minimum of 2 Flow modules.
Colin Johnston, Managing Director at Galgorm Collection said: “As one of Northern Ireland’s leading employers, Galgorm Collection is committed to attracting talent into our industry, and I am delighted that the 'Get Into' courses were able to achieve such.
Due to the success of the courses and the enthusiasm of the students, we went on to hire a number of the participants who, having previously never worked in hospitality are now looking forward to seeing the vast career opportunities within the hospitality sector.”
Business Development Executive at Belfast Met, Margaret McCabe said: “The Get into Hospitality Programme was a shining example of collaboration between industry and the College. The course was developed in partnership with local employers to meet industry needs. It was also important that we delivered the course in an industry setting and this had a real impact. The feedback that we received from both students and employers was that this course has made a real difference.”