Tourism careers an option

As Leaving Cert students across the country deliberate their choices ahead of the CAO deadline on 1st February, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is encouraging young people in Sligo and Leitrim to consider a career in the tourism and hospitality sector.

The IHF has created a dedicated website, Get a Life in Tourism, supported by Fáilte Ireland, which offers comprehensive information on the many careers available and how to get started as well as the various courses available at Institute of Technology Sligo and St Angela’s College.

A free print Get a Life in Tourism magazine is also being published, which will be distributed to over 700 second-level schools. In addition to courses available through the CAO, Get a Life in Tourism provides details on a variety of career options accessible through PLC courses as well as opportunities for those who wish to start working straight from school. Every year, the hospitality and tourism businesses around the country recruit over 6,000 entry-level employees across all areas of their operations. These include food and beverage; catering; accommodation services; reception; leisure centre and spa facility management; sales and marketing; human resources; IT; management and finance.

Fergal Ryan, Chair of the Sligo and Leitrim branch of the IHF said: “Tourism is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, providing employment in every county in Ireland. It offers thousands of opportunities for young people interested in pursuing a career in tourism with enormous potential for professional development and advancement. We’re encouraging school leavers especially to explore the many options available, from ‘earn and learn’ chef programmes through to the wide selection of specialist third-level courses on offer throughout the country.”