Northumberland partnership working to promote tourism job opportunities

Nov 18 2008 By The Journal

THE North East Employer Coalition is working closely with partners from the North East Tourism Skills Alliance Group, with assistance from the Sector Skills Council – People 1st, via a programme called the Tourism Academy 2008.

The programme aims to provide candidates with the “tool-kit” they need to work in tourism and improve their chances of securing a job in the industry.

The three-week training programme, delivered in time for the sector Easter recruitment, equips candidates with skills and recognised qualifications such as Welcome to Excellence suite, Basic Food Hygiene, Health and Safety, and also incorporates the use of the UK Skills Passport. Via a Local Employment Partnership (LEP) agreement between Jobcentre Plus (JCP) and Alnwick Garden, trainees from the programme were then invited to apply for jobs in the tourism industry with each trainee guaranteed an interview at Alnwick Garden for a seasonal position, as well as interview opportunities from other industry partners. Twenty five local people have completed the training so far, with 16 graduates moving into jobs in the sector.

Janis Jones, Employer Coalition Sector development manager, said: “We are delighted to endorse and support the North East Tourism Academy which is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for inbound and domestic tourism services.

“The partnership between Northumberland College, Northumberland Training Agency and the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has proved successful in the past, with Alnwick Garden as a key partner in providing training in the workplace.”

The successful programme is now to be further developed within Northumberland and pre-employment training opportunities will be available early in 2009. Northumberland Strategic Partnership, NEEC, JCP and Northumberland College, along with Kielder Partnership, Hadrian’s Wall Heritage and Matfen Hall, will be supporting programme activity.

The Employer Coalition is actively seeking more employers to get involved in this Local Employer Partnership initiative.