Register to get 3 free articles
Register to unlock the article and receive our free newsletter. Join 26,000 other hotel leaders and stay in the know.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
A total of 36 individuals from the Ballymena area have secured full-time employment within local hotels after graduating from the NI Hospitality School.
The NI Hospitality School was established in 2021, following collaboration between three Ballymena-based hotels – Galgorm Resort, the Tullyglass House Hotel and the Adair Arms.
With courses delivered by Northern Regional College and South Eastern Regional College, the school was set up to provide opportunities for skills development, to address the challenges of recruiting staff and to highlight that a career in hospitality can offer a “plethora of rewarding career development opportunities”.
Initially funded by independent charity The Gallaher Trust, the NI Hospitality School has successfully attracted private sector funding from several high-profile organisations, including Henderson Foodservice and Britvic Ireland, which is a demonstration of commitment from the wider sector.
According to Eddie McKeever, managing director of McKeever Hotel Group and chairman of the NI Hospitality School, the initiative has “far exceeded its goal and is playing an essential role in elevating skills and helping to secure the sector’s future”.
The NI Hospitality School encompasses a number of academies including a bar academy, a chef academy and a food service academy.
McKeever said: “At the NI Hospitality School, we recognise the significant challenges the industry faces, particularly around recruitment and developing a sustainable and highly skilled workforce.
“Through targeted training and support, we’re working to bridge these gaps by equipping individuals with the expertise and confidence needed to maintain a thriving career within the hospitality sector. By creating opportunities for meaningful employment and continuous professional development, we’re ensuring that both employees and employers have the tools they need to succeed, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and dynamic hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.”
He added: “I would like to pay homage to The Gallaher Trust, whose initial funding enabled the NI Hospitality School to come to fruition. The fact that we have now attracted funding from the private sector is evidence of the enhanced reputation and success of the school since it was established three years ago.
“A number of businesses within the private sector have recognised the importance of securing a pipeline of future talent and we are truly very grateful for their support. We are looking forward to the future of the school and to providing greater benefits to our participants and to the hospitality industry as a whole.”
