Innovative hospitality education initiative launched in Derry

PICTURED ABOVE: Mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr at the launch of Hospitality Connects held in Bishop's Gate Hotel. Included, front, from left, Nicky Gilleece, Labour Market Partnership, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Lily Vella (St. Mary's College), Beth McDaid (St. Cecilia's College), and from right, Fiona Long, HR, Ebrington Hotel, Caitriona Lennox, head Springboard Charity, and Evan Curran (St. Joseph's Boys' School). Back, from left, are J.P. McCafferty, general manager, Bishop's Gate Hotel, Chris McMenamin (Travel and Tourism teacher, St. Cecilia's College), Mary Jo O'Carolan (principal, St. Cecilia's College), Dan Maude (Travel and Tourism teacher, St. Joseph's Boys' School), Conor Lynch (St. Mary's College), and Conor Friel, City Hotel. (Photos - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

Derry City and Strabane Labour Market Partnership has partnered with the Springboard Charity, training experts for the Hospitality industry, to launch an exciting pilot programme connecting local schools to the City and District’s vibrant local hospitality sector.

The Hospitality Connects initiative for NI will link local schools with hotels and follows the success of the Hospitality Connect programme in GB.

From January to June 2025, it aims to equip students in Years 13 and 14 studying Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism-related subjects with insights and experiences to inspire them to consider a career in the industry.

Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for Council areas allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.

LMP Manager for Derry and Strabane, Nicky Gilleece, explained that the collaborative approach to the pilot initiative seeks to bridge the gap between education and industry in Derry and Strabane.

“The Hospitality Connects programme will forge meaningful connections between schools and local hotel partners to promote exciting future career opportunities for young people within the hospitality sector,” she said.

“It seeks to showcase diverse career opportunities within the sector, provide hands-on experiences to motivate and engage students and highlight educational pathways in the field.”

Mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr at the launch of Hospitality Connects held in Bishop's Gate Hotel, with on left, Caitriona Lennox, head Springboard Charity, and from right, Emma Quinn and Nicky Gilleece, Labour Market Partnership, Derry City & Strabane District Council.

Participating schools include St Joseph's Boys School, St Cecilia's College, and St Mary's College, partnering with prestigious establishments such as Bishops Gate Hotel, The Ebrington Hotel, and City Hotel Derry.

Students can look forward to a series of engaging activities throughout the academic term, designed to build relationships with industry professionals, provide insights into a variety of career pathways and challenge perceptions of the hospitality sector.

Caitriona Lennox, Head of Northern Ireland at Springboard, emphasised the significance of the partnership: "Our collaboration with Derry and Strabane Labour Market Partnership is crucial to the success of this innovative project in Northern Ireland.
“Together we can make a real difference to the perception of the industry for our future pipeline.

Students from local schools who attended the launch of Hospitality Connects held in Bishop's Gate Hotel

“With support from key organisations including City of Derry Airport, Visit Derry, Ulster University, North West Regional College, NI Hotel Federation, and the HATS network, students will get an immersive industry experience that could shape their future careers.

“This innovative programme not only aims to attract fresh talent to the hospitality sector but also seeks to demonstrate its impact on the local economy, with the potential for annual implementation across Northern Ireland.”
For further details on the initiative contact lmp@derrystrabane.com