Thursday, 12th October 2000

YOUTH MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS ATTRACTIVE TOURISM CAREERS

Get a life….. in Tourism 2000-2001, a free magazine aimed at the 142,000 15-18 year old students in second level schools, highlighting the host of career opportunities in the hospitality sector was launched today by Dr James McDaid T.D., Minister for Tourism, Sport & Recreation. Produced by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), CERT and the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), the magazine aims to communicate to students the benefits of a career in one of Ireland's most successful industries, which contributes over £1.6 billion to the exchequer annually and welcomed 6 million overseas visitors in 1999.

The 80 page Get a life….. in Tourism magazine is being made available to students through Career Guidance teachers in second level schools nation-wide. Through a youth appealing design and layout, the magazine contains a comprehensive amount of information on every aspect of potential jobs in the sector, ranging from chefs, accommodation assistants, gardeners and receptionists through to marketing, personnel, finance, IT, management and leisure centre positions. Using 'Day in the Life' interviews with successful young people working in the industry and profiles of third level hospitality students, it gives a realistic idea of what people can expect from a career in the sector. A 21-page guide to all hospitality and tourism courses, colleges and locations is included in the magazine, timed to take advantage of CAO forms being issued to schools at the end of October.

Speaking at the launch Dr James McDaid T.D., Minister for Tourism said: "People working at all levels in our growing hospitality industry are doing work of national importance. Tourism now contributes over £2.5billion to our national economy and those who work in the industry are at the front line in the national effort to further economic growth and progress. Young people who commit themselves to our hospitality industry today, can look forward to a satisfying and rewarding career in a vital sector of our national economy".

Mary Fitzgerald, President of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) said that skills shortages was a major issue for all sectors of Irish business and the tourism sector was no different in this respect. This type of imaginative, youth appealing initiative was a significant step by the hospitality sector to dispel myths about the industry in terms of employment giving a realistic insight into what hospitality careers entail and offer.

"There are over 400 specialist courses available at third level institutions throughout the country for students interested in pursuing recognised qualifications for entry to the industry. With a 100% job placement rate, students can have the confidence to know that there will be a good job waiting for them. There is also the option for students to train on the job directly from school for those who prefer this career route. The success of our tourism industry is very much reliant on the Irish people's natural ability to put people at their ease and we want to attract young, enthusiastic people who aspire to have an interesting, people focused career. It's a thriving young industry where the vast majority of management positions are held by people in their early 20s - so it's a career that offers swift promotional opportunities," Ms Fitzgerald said.

Mr. Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive of CERT, the tourism training agency said:
"It is vitally important that we highlight the advantages of a career in what is now Ireland's largest indigenous industry, and one which has seen unprecedented growth over the last few years. That growth is set to continue for the foreseeable future and it is vitally important that we attract and retain the right people to be a part of the tourism industry. With that in mind, CERT welcomes the latest edition of Get a Life …in Tourism. CERT sees this magazine as an important element in our national drive to attract young people into the industry. It will provide a colourful and interesting vehicle to grab the interest of potential tourism personnel."

Mr Ray Byrne, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said: "The Irish restaurant business has developed at a breathtaking pace over the last decade. It is now an exciting business in which to develop a creative career. Ambitious young Irish people have made international reputations for themselves, and their launching pads have been Irish restaurants. Creative jobs with excellent salaries, which are underpinned by best work practices, ensure that job satisfaction and career opportunities are in abundance".

Get a life…….. in Tourism is published by Hotel & Catering Review and freely available through career guidance teachers in all second level schools nation-wide. It is also available through the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), 13 Northbrook Road, Dublin 6. Tel: (01) 497 6459; CERT, Cert House, Amiens Street, Dublin 1. Tel: (01) 855 6555 /freephone 1850 256 256 and the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) 11 Bridge Court, City Gate, St Augustine Street, Dublin 8 Tel: (01) 677 9901.

For Information:
Siobhan Molloy/Ciara Sweeney, FCC Shandwick
Tel: (01) 676 01 68 or (086) 817 50 66