Carrickfergus Enterprise, in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership (LMP) and Clanmil Housing Association, is celebrating the success of its latest Hospitality Taster Programme.
Ten participants have successfully completed the programme and collectively achieved 24 accredited qualifications to date.
Delivered locally on behalf of Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership and supported through the Department for Communities’ Employability NI initiative, the programme is designed to inspire, upskill and support local people into meaningful employment within one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors. It has exceeded the set targets in terms of recruitment and qualifications, with further certifications still in progress.
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.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford said: “Mid and East Antrim is home to a fantastic array of hospitality businesses, which play a vital role in driving the growth of our local economy. We are delighted to support employment opportunities within this thriving sector.
“Our Labour Market Partnership continues to work with local industries to identify market needs and address them through targeted training programmes, academies and workshops. If you are considering a new career path or taking your first step into employment, we encourage you to get in touch with our team.”
Kelli Roberts, Chief Executive of Carrickfergus Enterprise, said: “The success of the Hospitality Taster Programme demonstrates the incredible potential within our local communities. By providing practical skills, real industry insight and tailored support, we are helping individuals build confidence and take meaningful steps toward employment or self-employment. Hospitality is a vibrant and growing sector in Mid and East Antrim, and programmes like this are essential in developing a skilled workforce that can meet future demand while delivering exceptional visitor experiences.”
The programme was developed to address key labour market challenges across Mid and East Antrim, including economic inactivity, long-term unemployment and skills shortages within the hospitality sector. Through a combination of practical training, industry engagement and personalised mentoring, participants have been supported to build confidence, develop new skills and take positive steps towards employment, self-employment or further training.
Core elements of the programme included industry-recognised qualifications such as WorldHost Principles of Customer Care, Level 2 Food Safety and Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work, alongside tailored skills development opportunities including barista training.
A key feature has been the opportunity for participants to engage directly with local hospitality employers. As part of this, participants visited the Harbour View Hotel in Carnlough, where they got a behind-the-scenes insight into hotel operations and heard from General Manager Paul Truscott about his own career journey and the wide range of opportunities available within the sector. The visit also included a unique cask sampling experience within the hotel’s whiskey warehouse – offering participants a hands-on introduction to the craft of blending and bottling small-batch Irish whiskey.
Participants also benefited from one-to-one mentoring and the development of individual action plans to help shape their next steps, whether entering employment or exploring enterprise opportunities.
Additional specialist training is continuing, with some participants undertaking Powerboat Licence certification and Deaf Awareness training to further enhance their employability.
The Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership brings together employers and key stakeholders to better understand local labour market needs, improve employability outcomes and design targeted interventions that support people into meaningful work.
The Hospitality Taster Programme aligns with the partnership’s 2025–2026 Action Plan priorities, which focus on reducing economic inactivity, supporting those who are long-term unemployed or under-employed, and strengthening skills within key growth sectors such as hospitality.
Tourism and hospitality continue to grow year on year across Northern Ireland, creating exciting and varied career opportunities. Through initiatives like this, Carrickfergus Enterprise and its partners are ensuring that local people are equipped with the skills, confidence and experience needed to take advantage of these opportunities and contribute to the region’s economic growth.