Young people from Fermanagh and beyond were treated to a taster of the opportunities available in the tourism and hospitality industry during an event hosted in Enniskillen recently.

Tourism NI and leading hospitality charity Springboard UK have partnered in a programme to encourage young people to pursue a career in tourism and hospitality.

Fully funded by Tourism NI, the programme includes a series of roadshows with 20 schools across Northern Ireland, with one such roadshow visiting Enniskillen in mid-March for its final event.

Held on Wednesday, March 22 at the Lough Erne Resort, the event was attended by 105 students in Years 10-14 from the local area.

Local students from Mount Lourdes Grammar School joined peers from other schools, including St. Ciaran’s College, Aughnacloy College and Sacred Heart College, to take part in a series of hands-on activities throughout the day to explore different aspects of a career in tourism and hospitality.

Post-event feedback showed that 93 per cent of the students that attended said the roadshow had made them more aware of the career opportunities in the hospitality, leisure, and tourism industries, with all of the teachers stating the roadshows had been successful in educating students about the industry and highlighting the industry’s career opportunities and pathways.

Eimear Callaghan, Head of Programmes at Tourism NI, said: “Tourism and Hospitality offers our young people an exciting range of roles and opportunities – from front of house or chefs in our restaurants, to tour guides who bring to life our special places, to working in the festivals and events world, and working in really special places and locations right across Northern Ireland.

“This is a sector that offers great career progression and training opportunities as well as working in an industry that’s fun and exciting.”

Caitriona Lennox, Head of Northern Ireland at the Springboard UK charity, said: “The roadshow events have been a huge success with young people learning more about what a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism can offer them.

“At the age when many young people will be making important decisions about their future, we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to show them the broad range of options open to them in the industry.”

Hospitality charity Springboard UK helps disadvantaged and unemployed people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life to fall in love with hospitality, leisure, and tourism, and gain twhe skills, knowledge and experience needed to flourish in a lifelong career within these industries.