In a collaboration between Women Breaking Barriers NI, the Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) Network and People 1st International, a transformative project has been launched with a dual mission: to equip unemployed women in Northern Ireland for successful careers in hospitality and tourism, and to foster inclusive workplaces that support the advancement of women.

Addressing key objectives

• Empowering women: The primary aim of the initiative is to prepare unemployed women to secure employment opportunities in the vibrant hospitality and tourism sector. By addressing the skills in demand and barriers faced by women entering the workforce, the employability programme aims to bridge these gaps through targeted training and support.
• Promoting inclusive workplaces: Beyond preparing women for employment, the project seeks to enhance workplace inclusivity. Through a comprehensive Employer Toolkit and webinar, businesses will be equipped to create positive environments that attract, retain, and promote women.

Contributing to broader goals

This initiative aligns closely with several strategic objectives:

• Shared Prosperity Fund: By supporting economically inactive individuals to overcome barriers to work, the project contributes to local economic prosperity and social cohesion.
• NI Skills Strategy: Addressing skills imbalances and barriers to employment, the programme directly supports Northern Ireland’s Skills Strategy and Employability NI strategy.
• Sector priorities: Recognising the critical need for skilled workers in hospitality and tourism, the project aims to attract new talent with solid employability skills and provide standardised employability training.

Unique programme elements

• Co-designed curriculum: The programme content is co-designed with industry experts and tailored to the needs of its participants – women seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce in hospitality and tourism.
• E-workbooks and certification: Participants benefit from interactive learning tools, including e-workbooks and certification that validate their skills and enhance their employability.
• Employer toolkit: Employers are central to the initiative’s success. A dedicated Employer Toolkit and webinar will prepare workplaces to support women in their professional journeys effectively.
• Train-the-Trainer approach: To build capability and ensure consistency and quality, trainers will be thoroughly trained on how to deliver the programme, supporting sustainability for continued roll out of the programme beyond the initial pilot.

Moving forward

We look forward to sharing stories of success from participants, and insights from industry leaders committed to driving positive change.

Discover more about the Hospitality and Tourism Employment Academy