Council Seeks Applications For Careers In Hospitality, Retail And Tourism

Derry City and Strabane District Council are looking for fresh applications for the summer intake of an innovative programme that helps prepare local unemployed people for a career in the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors within just five weeks.

The Hospitality and Retail, Tourism Training for Employment course (HARTE) is part of Council’s Kickstart to Work programme and aims to provide candidates with the qualifications, skills and confidence to successfully apply for jobs in those sectors.

The course aims to break down the barriers that unemployed people often face in applying for positions in the local job market by offering them pre-employment training to equip them with the necessary skills to make a successful job application. During the course Kickstart will offer financial support for expenses such as childcare, travel, subsistence and uniforms.

The course is split into three sections: a vocational training programme at the North West Regional College, an award in employability and a two week work placement before offering candidates a guaranteed interview with local employers.

Mena Kearney, Job Brokerage Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council, said the course will provide applicants with the necessary qualifications and skills to take up a career in either hospitality, retail or tourism.

"This course is aimed at unemployed or economically inactive people in the Council area who are more than capable of pursuing a career in these sectors but who may need some guidance and support to make their aspirations a reality," she said.

"As well as providing industry led accredited training and work experience, help and support candidates will also be offered assistance with job searching, CV preparation and interview skills to enhance their chances of securing future employment.

"Some candidates may not have been part of a training programme for some time and they will find the one to one mentoring that is provided as part of the course particularly helpful.

"We aim to breakdown all the barriers that are holding people back from returning to training and employment."