Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has opened a new Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) Hospitality and Catering Training Centre in Sligo.
This new facility will train apprentice chefs and staff for the hospitality, tourism, and food sectors. The facility will be used in the delivery of the Commis Chef Apprenticeship, Hospitality Career Traineeship, courses in Patisserie and Hospitality Supervision and the National Craft Butchery Traineeship, which was developed by MSLETB.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said, “The last two years have caused significant disruption for the hospitality sector. We have skills shortages across the sector and we need to continuously invest in infrastructure and people.
“Today’s opening is a signal of my department and Government’s support. Crucially, this Education and Training Board has partnered with industry here in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim to ensure this purpose-built centre can meet the needs of the region.
“The training centre will support industry by providing a sustainable stream of skilled, professionally qualified long-term employees to build their careers in the hospitality, tourism and catering sector. I am delighted to be here today to celebrate its opening and meet some of our apprentices and trainees seeking to work in these vitally important area.”
Tom Grady, Chief Executive, MSLETB stated, “The MSLETB Hospitality and Catering Training Centre is designed to provide a first-class training environment for learners, it will also help support industry by providing a sustainable stream of skilled, professionally qualified long-term employees for the sector.”
The programmes offered at the centre include the National Commis Chef Apprenticeship, Hospitality Career Traineeship, National Craft Butchery Apprenticeship, Certificate in General Patisserie and the Fifty Shades Greener sustainability initiative.