A NEW campaign has been launched to address the significant skills shortages in the north’s hospitality and tourism industries.
Tourism NI’s ‘Make it Here’ campaign seeks to encourage people to consider a career in either industry.
It has the backing of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) network, Hospitality Ulster, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, Springboard, Bus & Coach NI and a number of employers.
Tourism was worth around £1 billion to the Northern Ireland economy in 2019, employing an estimated 65,000 people, accounting for one-in-twelve jobs here.
But the combination of Covid-19 and Brexit has impacted the availability of personnel.
Research undertaken by Tourism NI last year found that recruitment and retention was the biggest challenge cited by employers, alongside the cost of doing business.
A separate study from the HATS network found many people don’t consider a career in tourism or hospitality because of negative perceptions about issues such as job security and long hours.
David Roberts, director of strategic development at Tourism NI, said the ‘Make it Here’ campaign will seek to address those perceptions and highlight positive aspects of working in the industry
He said it will target new entrants to the job market; career ‘switchers’; and part-time or seasonal workers, such as retirees considering a return to work.
“Tourism and hospitality is an industry that is based on people and this campaign is about getting more people to consider a career in the sector by showing not only the variety of roles but other benefits the sector offers, like working in special places, flexible hours to suit your lifestyle, meeting interesting people and making their day," he said.
“Tourism NI recognises the challenges that exist when it comes to recruitment, retention and the perception of the industry.
“We want to make it a career of choice by showing that there are exciting opportunities for people to do something they love for a living.”
A dedicated toolkit for employers who want to get involved is available via tourismni.com, while a new website makeyourcareer.co.uk will showcase the range of careers available and signpost interested applicants to a range of job sites.
Roisin McKee - HATS network:
“There are incredible opportunities for people to join tourism and hospitality and secure a rewarding career with fantastic progression potential, but a lot of people don’t realise the huge diversity of fulfilling roles on offer. Employers are looking for people with personality and passion who above all want to play a part in making someone’s day.”
Joel Neill - Hospitality Ulster:
“There has never been a better time to focus on attracting and retaining talent in the hospitality and tourism industry. Hospitality offers a wide range of flexible and diverse employment- and indeed career- opportunities which are central to the wider tourism offer in Northern Ireland. It’s an exciting sector with a lot of perks, benefits, and opportunities for progression and it’s important that we continue to spread the word through initiatives like Make it Here.”
Janice Gault – NI Hotels Federation:
“The Tourism & Hospitality sector offers lots of opportunity and it is great that we can highlight the many roles available. By working in collaboration, we can do much to improve the industry image and showcase the variety of jobs on offer. The hotel sector is part of an industry which supports over 60,000 jobs and has much to offer economically and socially to secure a better future for Northern Ireland.”
Judith Owens NI Tourism Alliance:
“As the voice for tourism in Northern Ireland, NITA firmly endorses the Make it Here campaign. In particular, we welcome the wider practical supports for tourism employers across Northern Ireland to better recruit and retain great people. Tourism offers a huge range of roles, clear career progression opportunities as well as flexibility and we welcome the collaboration to shine a light on this very important sector.”
