COVID-19: NI company planning for life out of lockdown with recruitment drive for more than 180 staff
A new recruitment drive is under way by the Galgorm Collection.
The company is bidding to hire more than 180 extra team members for a range of hospitality roles at its hotels and restaurants in Ballymena, Belfast and Templepatrick.
These include chefs, bar tenders, spa therapists and managers.
The company said it is investing more than £5m in annual wages creating the new roles, which include both full and part time positions and forms part of its advanced preparations for the full and safe reopening of its properties from the covid-19 lockdown.
Colin Johnston, Galgorm Collection Managing Director, said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to confirm more than 180 brand new jobs and to commence recruitment for a wide range of hospitality roles across our collection of properties. This new initiative will expand our team by an additional 25 per cent and bring our total workforce to 900 team members.
“Today’s announcement confirms our commitment to further developing our world-class hospitality provision and reaffirms our confidence in the sector’s recovery. We are currently working towards an April start date for our first new team members and we look forward to the Executive confirming a reopening date for hospitality and tourism sector so that we can begin onboarding our new recruits and facilitating a return to work as soon as possible.”
The announcement was also welcomed by Economy Minister Diane Dodds:
"This is positive news and represents a strong foot forward in Northern Ireland collectively forging a path to recovery," she said.
"The hospitality industry has faced unprecedented challenges over the last 12 months and our focus now is on ensuring a safe and sustainable reopening of the sector when the time is right. Galgorm has continued to demonstrate strong leadership for the industry and this announcement will provide a beacon of light for the rebuilding of the sector.”
Tourism Northern Ireland Chief Executive John McGrillen added: "The closure of the hospitality sector across Northern Ireland has been sorely felt and the full impact of this still remains to be seen.
"Today’s announcement will provide a much-needed lifeline for many hospitality workers in an industry hard-hit by the pandemic and I hope this important announcement will help provide renewed confidence and momentum in working towards the sector’s recovery.”
For more information on the roles available and to apply, visit galgorm.com/work-with-us.html
Photo: Jessica Halliday Galgorm Spa Therapist, Colin Johnston, Galgorm Collection Managing Director and Nyree Kerr, Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort Receptionist