DUBLIN YOUTH CHECK IN TO TOURISM CAREERS ROADSHOW
· Industry seeks to recruit 6,000 entry-level employees every year
· Event part of industry-led national careers roadshow for 15-18 year olds.
Dublin, 28th September 2017
Over 400 students from second level schools and Youthreach centres across Dublin gathered at the Aviva Stadium today where some of the city’s leading hotels, travel, catering and tourism businesses gave them a first-hand view of the career choices available in the sector. Each year hospitality and tourism businesses around the country look to recruit over 6,000 entry-level employees across all areas of their operations. Today’s event was part of an industry-led National Tourism and Hospitality Careers Roadshow for 15-18 year olds organised by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and Dublin Regional Skills in association with the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI), Fáilte Ireland and Technological Higher Educational Association (THEA).
The students heard from a panel of young individuals about careers in food and beverage, catering, accommodation services, reception, leisure centre and spa facility management, sales and marketing, human resources, travel, tour guiding, IT, management and finance.
Tourism and hospitality businesses also shared details of the various pathways young people can take into these careers while education providers for both further and higher education were on hand to talk about the various tourism and hospitality courses that are available.
The event included a showcase of Tourism Insight - the free online interactive programme, which provides videos and interactive tutorials on working in tourism and can be delivered in school or completed by students at home. Two students who completed the programme in 2017, announced as winners of one of the GTTP (Global Travel Tourism Partnership) photo competitions where presented their certificates and prize on the day.
The students and their Guidance Counsellors also received copies of the latest edition of Get a Life in Tourism, the IHF’s free print and digital magazine on tourism career options.
Tim Fenn, Chief Executive, Irish Hotels Federation commented: “The Tourism and Hospitality sector offers thousands of opportunities for young people interested in pursuing an exciting career.”
Mr Fenn added: “The National Tourism and Hospitality Careers Roadshow has been developed to give young people an introduction to those opportunities. It is also an important event, for us as an industry, where we can engage with potential employees and help them explore the different avenues, including apprenticeships, traineeships, diplomas and the many degree courses available to them throughout the country. This industry prides itself in nurturing talent and providing potential to climb the ladder quickly to senior management.”
Natasha Kinsella, Manager Regional Skills Dublin and co-founder for Tourism Insight said: “Now is a very exciting time for young people pursuing a career in tourism given the excellent prospects and promotional opportunities on offer throughout the industry.” Ms Kinsella added: “It is important that students explore all the educational options available to them when thinking about this stage in their life and future career path. I believe that with greater awareness of the opportunities on offer, we can encourage many more young people to enthusiastically embrace a career in the sector. Tourism has the ability to unlock the potential in many young people and, crucially, it offers a career path in so many different directions.”
Tourism now supports an estimated 230,000 jobs in Ireland, equivalent to 11% of total employment. With over 60,000 new jobs created since 2011, the industry is well-positioned to create in excess of 40,000 additional jobs over the next five years.
A Collaboration of Partners within this Dublin Tourism and Hospitality Careers Roadshow:
This Careers Roadshow is organised by the IHF and Dublin Regionals Skills, supported by IHI, Fáilte Ireland and THEA, as well as major employers in the industry including – The Doyle Collection, Dalata Hotel Group, Jurys Inn Group, Compass, Dublin Institute of Technology, The Conrad, The Gleneagle Hotel Group, Tourism Ireland, Irish Travel Agents Association, TravelPort, The Lee Hotel Group, PREM Group, Foras Na Gaeilge and GTTP.
ENDS
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Press Office, Irish Hotels Federation, 01 679 8600
Ger McCarthy/Barry Ryan, Weber Shandwick PR, Mobile: 086 233 3590 / 085 728 7326
FOR INFORMATION ON TOURISM INSIGHT:
Natasha Kinsella Dublin Regional Skills
Email: Natashakinsella@regionalskills.ie Mobile: 086 8377286