AQW 40453/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 08/01/2015
Answered On Date: 20/01/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for an update on plans within his Department to carry out a review of the skills needs of the tourism sector.

Answer:

My Department is in discussions with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board about the need to scope out the skills challenges facing the local tourism industry. These discussions are in the very early stages and I hope to be able to update you further in due course.

There is already a number of ways in which the Department for Employment and Learning supports the local tourism industry. For a number of years my Department has offered WorldHost training to build on the customer service skills of the people working in our hospitality and tourism industry.

To date, approximately 15,500 employees have received this training. In addition, our Further Education College network offers a range of courses in support of this sector with more than 8,600 enrolments in 2013/14.