A celebration event, held at the historic Dobbins Inn Hotel, marked a significant milestone for the 11 graduates of the programme with the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, attending to commend their achievements.

The Tourism Academy, funded by Department for Communities and delivered by Carrickfergus Enterprise, was led by CEO Kelli McRoberts and developed to meet the needs of individuals seeking employment or self-employment in the rapidly expanding tourism 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.

The course provided participants with a unique blend of industry-specific qualifications and hands-on experience.

Over a period of six months, attendees took part in 15 diverse sessions that covered a range of tourism and hospitality skills.

These included the WorldHost Principles of Customer Service accreditation, food safety certifications, emergency first aid, and an introduction to Ulster Scots.

Additional training included RYA Powerboat Level 2 and peer-to-peer learning sessions focusing on online storytelling techniques used in the Disney Pixar movie-making process.

“This programme partnership was co-created from the ground up and crafted specifically to meet the unique needs of each participant while keeping the requirements of the local market in mind,” said Ms McRoberts.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to watch this first Tourism Academy cohort grow, and it’s encouraging to see the profound and far-reaching impact that the training and support has made.”

Nearly half of the participants received three certifications each, with three individuals earning four distinct accreditations.

In addition, industry qualifications, participants were introduced to the digital design platform Canva and had the opportunity to engage with successful tourism entrepreneurs through guest lectures.

Notable speakers included Adrian Hack, a WWII tour guide at Lead the Way Tours, Norman McBride of NM Hospitality Training and Erica Lutzman, the owner of The Lighthouse Bistro and The Cove,  who shared their experiences of building successful tourism ventures from passion projects.

The celebrations, attended by Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership representatives, included a certificate presentation by the Mayor.

“Tourism is a vital part of our community and economy, providing employment opportunities and showcasing our rich cultural heritage,” Alderman Adger said.

“Programmes like the Tourism Academy, at a time of labour shortage in the industry, prove essential and instrumental strengthening our sector.”

Tourism Academy graduate Jean Caldwell said the programme gave her the support and skills needed to regain her confidence after being made redundant from a long-term job.

“It helped me recover from the shock of redundancy, rediscover my strengths and realise my purpose,” she said.

“I even applied for a job and completed my first interview in over 16 years – and now I’ve landed a role as an Operations Manager.”

Sophie Bagchus (16), one of the youngest on the programme, said it opened new doors to self-employment and career opportunities.

“I gained new confidence as a result of the Tourism Academy,” she said.

“Not only has it helped me grow personally and also gain a number of qualifications, it has opened my eyes to the possibilities of self-employment and led me to a brand new career opportunity.”

A key feature of the Tourism Academy was its focus on fostering connections among participants, who ranged in age from 16 to 65.

Ms McRoberts highlighted the impact of the Tourism Academy.

“Our goal was not only to provide essential skills but to foster a network that would thrive long after the programme funding ends – and we’re already seeing that happen.”

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From artisanal wax melts to unique jewellery and fine prints, the showcase presented a diverse range of top-quality goods, all crafted by women-owned small businesses in the district. Shoppers and visitors enjoyed a lively atmosphere filled with opportunities to meet the makers, learn about their products and stories behind their labours of love, as well as discover meaningful gifts for the holiday season for their loved ones. Visitors even had the opportunity to watch Local Artist Alison Gardner paint a new original fine artwork live.

Speaking on the occasion, Kelli McRoberts, CEO of Carrickfergus Enterprise said: “I am thrilled that we have realised a long-term dream to give our incredibly talented women a platform and space to share their work with the wider community. The response has been incredible and it has been so heartwarming that so many people came out to support our local businesses and discover the unique stories behind each handcrafted item in such a welcoming environment. It has certainly been a true celebration of Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurial spirit, and a great start to the holiday season ahead. And we are proud to have stood alongside these talented women to provide the resources they need to succeed.”

The event received resounding praise from the funder of the female network, with the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Alderman Beth Adger, MBE noting its impact on the entrepreneurial community. “The Enterprising Women Winter Showcase has been a great opportunity to support our local economy and a firm reminder of the creativity, resilience, and ongoing dedication of our local female entrepreneurs even during these uncertain times. Events like these truly embody our community’s collective strength, fostering a spirit of pride and support for homegrown businesses,” the Mayor added.

Amanda Jones of Midtown Makers, Ballymena Business Centre also expressed her delight: “Our goal has always been to empower local businesses, and female entrepreneurs in particular. And this winter showcase has been exceptional in bringing us all together, and highlighting the true essence of our business community. The showcase is a celebration of entrepreneurship, diversity, and the unique talents from all walks of life within Northern Ireland. We are proud to have partnered with Carrickfergus Enterprise with support from the Tower Centre, Ballymena and funding from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to support these incredible women as they grow their businesses.”

For local artisan Lucinda Graham, founder and owner of Galgorm Melts, the showcase was an invaluable experience. “The event has been absolutely amazing,” she shared. “Having a chance to connect directly with the shoppers and visitors alike, to tell them about the story of why and how I founded my small business, and to hear their excitement for my products, has been wonderful and humbling. Events like this give us an opportunity to not only boost our sales, but the enterprising women ladies and I find events like these very encouraging too. It has been an honour and privilege to showcase my products and to represent the entrepreneurial culture and spirit of Northern Ireland.”

With a mission to uplift local talent and provide meaningful holiday shopping experiences, the Enterprising Women Winter Showcase has left a lasting impression on the community of Ballymena and further afield and it continues the work to highlight the talent, dedication, and impact of brilliant local women and the entrepreneurial essence that lives and grows in the local region.

For more information about Enterprising Women or to find out how to become a part of this support network please visit: https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/business/amplify-mid-and-east-antrim/employment-and-skills-support/enterprising-women

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Enterprise NI & our Local Enterprise Agencies are delighted to be delivering the pre-start, start-up and early stage business support!

https://go-succeed.com

#GoSuccceedNI #UKSPF

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Carrickfergus Enterprise to deliver Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service on behalf of Enterprise NI

A new service aimed at engaging Carrickfergus’s most economically inactive people was launched recently by Enterprise NI and Prince’s Trust.

The new service, Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service (NIEESS), is set to run until March 31, 2025. It will offer anyone across the country including Carrickfergus, considered economically inactive the ability to develop their entrepreneurial and employability skills.

This project has received £1.8m from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is set to target around 1200 individuals aged 16 and above.

Carrickfergus Enterprise will deliver the programme to the Carrickfergus area to improve enterprise, interpersonal, and employability skills of those taking part, helping them improve their marketability as a candidate and ultimately become self-employed or find a job.

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency’s 2022 (NISRA) Labour Market Report found that people who are economically non-responsive made up around 28.3% of the 16-64 age group between April – June 2022, meaning that over a quarter of the eligible working population weren’t working at all or looking for work.

Michael McQuillan, Chief Executive of Enterprise Northern Ireland said: “We are very excited about the new service and how it puts the citizen at the centre of a range of support, connecting them with the right support at the right time.

“In doing so, we feel our partnership with Prince’s Trust NI and teaming up with our Local Enterprise agencies will ensure citizens throughout Northern Ireland experiencing the barriers of economic inactivity will have the opportunity to make personal and positive strides in their lives.”

By encouraging out-of-work individuals to develop themselves both personally and professionally, the aim of the service is to boost the economy by helping participants become economically active.

NIEESS is aimed at individuals who have been out of employment for a minimum of four weeks and those who are currently unable to start a new position due to everything from a lack of transferable skills to an inability to engage with the job market due to personal circumstances.

For information on how to sign up to the Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service delivered by Carrickfergus Enterprise go to https://www.enterpriseni.com/pages/pre-start or call 028 7776 3555

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