News Release Page Title

4 July 2001

FARREN LAUNCHES NORTH SOUTH TOURISM TRAINING INITIATIVE

Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, today announced details of a joint initiative between his Department and CERT the Tourism Training Authority in the Republic of Ireland to help alleviate recent set-backs within the tourism industry.

The initiative, which was agreed at the recent North South Ministerial Council meeting on tourism, is aimed at increasing the capability of the industry to deal with recent set-backs and take advantage of business opportunities. It consists of three proposals:

  • A joint management development programme for Chief Executives and Owner/Managers in small to medium sized hotels;

  • An operational skills development programme to meet the needs of the Micro/SME sector; and

  • An initiative to develop linkages to facilitate the exchange of teachers, educationalists and industry based trainers and practitioners.

Welcoming the development Minister Farren said: "This joint initiative was created to ensure that the tourism and hospitality industry is in a position to manage difficulties caused by recent set-backs such as foot and mouth and to take full advantage of the opportunities created by increased marketing activity.

"It will assist in providing the industry with the opportunity to explore international best practice and to develop policies and processes to ensure world class operations, which are essential in improving the strategic capacity of the sector.

"The challenge to tourism is similar in both parts of Ireland and is an area with significant potential for continuing co-operation. It is also further evidence of North South cooperation on areas of mutual interest made possible by involvement of Ministers in the NSMC."

The initiative was also welcomed by the Chair of the Tourism Training Trust in Northern Ireland, Marie Thomas who said: "This initiative is a step forward at a very difficult time for the industry. Together with the other work we are doing to raise standards in the industry it will play a significant role in the recovery of tourism and hospitality."

Media enquiries to Kevin Mulhern, Press Office, telephone 028 9025 7790 or mobile 07799 711523

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The third meeting of the NSMC in the Tourism sectoral format was held in the Bushtown House Hotel Coleraine on Friday 29 June 2001.

Among the items discussed at the meeting was the issue of training in the tourism and hospitality sector on both sides of the border. At an earlier meeting in March, the Council had asked for proposals to be developed in a number of key areas to address skills gaps and developmental issues common to both Northern Ireland and the South.

At the most recent meeting, the Council discussed a paper which had been produced jointly by the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Belfast and the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dublin in conjunction with CERT (the Irish Tourism and Hospitality Training Authority).

Attending the meeting were the Ministers with respective responsibility for the above Departments, Dr Sean Farren MLA and Dr James McDaid TD.

Both short and longer-term programmes are planned with the first stage being delivered in July and September to be followed by longer term management development and technical skill programmes. Arrangements are already in place to begin delivery of these initiatives and the potential for a cross border exchange scheme for industry trainers and college lecturers will also be explored.