New Hospitality Employers Charter launched to demonstrate businesses committed to staff training and development

A new Hospitality Employers Charter has been launched to support individual businesses in demonstrating their commitment to training and developing staff.

With the help of the Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, the initiative is designed to ensure that those signed up to the Charter commit in creating a sustainable workforce for the future which offers great career prospects.

Developed by Hospitality Ulster and endorsed by Ulster University, Babcock Training and the six Further Educational Colleges, the Charter, open to all hospitality businesses, will show a commitment from signatories to focus on the employment rights and welfare of employees and activate a fast-track development programme.

The launch comes at a time when the sector is working hard to renew and revitalise the industry after the pandemic created some of the worst trading conditions in living memory.

Hospitality Ulster’s aim for the new Charter is to encourage more people into a career in the hospitality sector with training resources, employment policies, job description templates and webinars available for those who sign up.

A number of well-known hospitality business across Northern Ireland have already signed up to the Hospitality Employers Charter including, The Lower House, Horatio Group, Andras Hotels, Balloo House, Deanes Belfast, Pats Bar and the Merchant Hotel, among others.

Speaking at the launch of the Charter, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA, said: “The people who work in hospitality are the most vital component of our world class hospitality and tourism offer here in Northern Ireland.

“They are the people who care about their customers, serving some fantastic food and drink daily, and the ones who leave visitors with lasting impressions.

“It is important that they are nurtured, trained and retained. This Employers Charter, led by Hospitality Ulster is a significant step forward to ensure that our fourth largest private sector employer offers people a fulfilling long-term career.

“By further developing skills and offering a clear career trajectory, the hospitality industry will only enhance its workforce, which is turn will benefit our local economy.

“I commend the development of the new Charter and look forward to working with the sector in ensuring that hospitality offers vibrant job prospects for many people across Northern Ireland.”

Colin Neill, chief executive, Hospitality Ulster, continued: “The launch of the Hospitality Employers Charter will provide a recognisable logo that businesses can use to demonstrate their commitment to developing their people as they look beyond the past two years and work towards making hospitality an exciting career with potential for many post-pandemic.

“We are proud to have developed this Charter in partnership with other key stakeholders in training, education and government and believe it can make a real difference in what is now a very competitive employment market.

“Bringing together our key partners in the six regional FE Colleges, Babcock Training and our own HU Academy now makes it much easier for businesses to access the extensive range of accredited training and guidance to support their commitment in signing the employers Charter.

“There is no doubt that the way we do hospitality has changed. There is now a requirement for businesses in the sector to focus even more on how staff are rewarded, developed and retained.

“Hospitality teams need to be nurtured and trained and we very much encourage all hospitality business to sign up and get behind the new Charter.

“The opportunities in hospitality are endless and through the Charter we can ensure that the right talent is in place to renew and revitalise the sector.”

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