New Assured Skills Corporate Travel Academy launched at South Eastern Regional College

The Department for the Economy’s (DfE) Assured Skills Academy is offering 18 pre-employment training places at South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Lisburn campus.

SERC has joined forces with two companies, Selective Travel Management and Jurys Inn Hotels, to offer pre-employment training in Northern Ireland’s growing tourism sector.

Successfully completing the training will result in a guaranteed interview for employment with Selective Travel Management and/or Jurys Inn Hotels.

While no experience is required, applicants must have either an HND, Foundation Degree or equivalent level 5 qualification in any discipline.

Launching the Corporate Travel Assured Skills Academy, Graeme Wilkinson, Director of Skills at DfE, said: “The tourism sector is hugely important to our local economy. This pre-employment Assured Skills Academy will provide participants with the skills needed to work in this growing sector. In addition, this Academy will not only help to improve the skills of our workforce and provide employment opportunities in the local community, it will support companies, in this sector, to secure the talent they need.”

Ken Webb, Principal and Chief Executive at South Eastern Regional College, said: “We are very pleased to work with the Department and local businesses to deliver this valuable opportunity to local people. This Academy offers an opportunity for people to gain the necessary skills for a career in the Tourism Sector. SERC has a long tradition of collaborating with local organisations to design and deliver bespoke training programmes across a range of skills.”

Selective Travel Management’s Managing Director, Keith Graham commented: “Our core strength lies in the calibre of our staff and our employee training investment. We are delighted to be in partnership with DfE, SERC and Jurys Inn Hotels offering a six-week Corporate Travel Academy.”  

Suzanne Bowman, Sales Manager at Jurys Inn Hotels, said: “Jurys Inn Hotels are always on the lookout for new skilled individuals to join our dedicated team. We very much appreciate the support from the Department for the Economy and South Eastern Regional College in helping us to source such individuals. This Assured Skills Academy is an ideal way for someone to get involved in tourism and potentially set themselves up for a rewarding career.”

Participants will receive a weekly training allowance of £150 and will be reimbursed travel expenses. Where appropriate, they may also be eligible for child care assistance.