Island firms and school unite to develop resource promoting jobs in tourism

A NEW teaching resource and video has been created with primary school children to attract more young people into the tourism industry.

The web portal and film will be launched by North Wales Regional Skills Partnership in collaboration with the Welsh Government’s Anglesey Enterprise Zone initiative and North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) at Tre Ysgawen Hotel on Anglesey this Friday (May 3) from 10am until 12pm.

Supported by top businesses including The Marram Grass restaurant, RibRide and Chateau Rhianfa, the scheme was piloted at Ysgol Gynradd Amlwch and aims to meet the demand for more workers in the sector, notably catering and hospitality.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Regional Skills Partnership chair Sasha Davies said: “The new teaching resource has been developed for primary schools on Anglesey initially, but will be shared across neighbouring counties in the future, with the support of other tourism employers.

“The industry is struggling to attract new young people, especially chefs, and there are good quality career opportunities out there in a wide range of areas, not the stereotypical seasonal careers of the past.”

Ms Davies added: “A film has been created on location to different employers and Ysgol Gynradd Amlwch has helped to develop the new classroom resources for pupils aged 10 and 11 in line with the new curriculum for Wales requirements, so this is a big step for the region.”

Up to 60 guests are expected to attend the event on Friday, including children from the school, tourism operators, dignitaries and politicians Albert Owen MP and Rhun ap Iorweth AM.

The bilingual programme was built in collaboration with the NWEAB and Welsh Government, and partners in the third sector, educators and the pupils themselves.

With tourism playing a big part in the North Wales Growth Deal, Ms Davies says the time is right to try and entice more young people to the tourism arena.

“We need to look at future generations and make it clear to them that tourism is a viable career path,” she said.

“The resource itself delivers that message, so it’s now about ‘planting a seed’ to attract a future workforce to this growth sector in North Wales.”

For more information, visit www.northwaleseab.co.uk