WITH local hospitality and tourism businesses looking to recruit entry-level employees across all areas of their operation, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is encouraging school leavers and college graduates to consider a career in the industry.
Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Shannon Branch Chairman Dermot Kelly told the Limerick Post that school leavers can choose from a wide selection of specialist courses in colleges as well as ‘earn and learn’ chef programmes for those who may not want to commit to a full-time college course.
“There are many opportunities for graduates as well as school leavers who wish to start working straight away, offering career paths that support professional development with skills that are transferrable internationally,” he explained.
Tourism and hospitality supports 11,500 jobs in Limerick and some 266,000 jobs nationally, equivalent to 11 per cent of total employment, with more than 60,000 of these jobs in the hotels’ sector alone. More than 94,000 new jobs have been created in the industry since 2011.
Mr Kelly said that employment opportunities are currently available in areas such as food and beverage; catering; accommodation services; reception; leisure centre and spa facility management; sales and marketing; human resources; IT; management and finance.
“Tourism is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, providing employment in Limerick and every county in Ireland. If you’re looking for an exciting challenge with endless career possibilities at home and abroad, check out what hospitality and tourism have to offer.”
The IHF has a dedicated website, Get a Life in Tourism, which offers comprehensive information on the many careers available in the industry and how to get started. The website also includes personal stories that offer a realistic picture of what to expect from a career in the tourism and hospitality sector as well as some of the many courses and training schemes that are available, providing young people with valuable first-hand information to help them make their course or career choice.
