The Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) network has launched a guide on funded skills support available to help Northern Ireland hospitality and tourism businesses retain talent through this difficult time and develop the skills needed for the future.

As the industry builds back from the disruption caused by Covid-19 we need to inspire future generations to enter the industry – and those that are already in the industry, to stay.

We have a unique opportunity to reset the status quo when it comes to skills and professional development. Building back with a better skilled workforce will provide the much-needed reinforcement to deliver a tourism product that attracts visitors and encourages repeat business. And we don’t need to wait until the pandemic is over to begin. There are support packages available now to help businesses invest in talent to emerge stronger from the crisis and help them flourish.

Developed in partnership with the Department for the Economy and Invest NI, the guide outlines the funded support programmes available from local colleges, Invest NI and Ulster University plus provides links to online training courses and mental health and wellbeing support.

View the guide >

The HATS network project is managed by People 1st International and supported by Invest Northern Ireland under its Collaborative Growth Programme.