THE Gallaher Trust has launched a new hospitality school offering enrollers the chance to gain a hospitality qualification and secure guaranteed employment with one of the north’s top hotels.
Over the next three years, the trust will invest £260,000 in supporting the new educational centre, focused 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.
On completing the course, newly qualified bartenders will be guaranteed employment at either the Adair Arms Hotel, Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort or Tullyglass House Hotel.
And with an estimated 72 jobs available over the next three years, the partnership represents a combined investment of more than £1.3 million into local employment.
MP Ian Paisley, who chairs the Gallaher Trust charity, which is committed to promoting job creation and skills development and providing support for disadvantaged adults in the Ballymena area, said: “This represents a significant jobs boost for the area.
“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.
“Facilitating a pathway to employment is key to the school’s success and we’re thrilled to be working with three 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.”
Northern Regional College will welcome the first intake of 12 enrollers in May, with a view to placing successful candidates into job by late June. Further course intakes are planned for late 2021 and into 2022. Those interested in applying should visit nihospitalityschool.com
