Thinking about a career in the tourism industry? Colleges across the Liverpool City Region (LCR) will be offering students the chance to find out more.
Now in its third year, ‘Visitor Economy Week’ will involve over 50 activities – all designed to encourage students to consider the visitor economy as a career choice and provide a taste of what life can be like working in hospitality, retail, tourism or travel.
Events include ‘behind the scenes’ tours of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Albert Dock and Hard Days Night Hotel, masterclasses in sugar craft, chocolate and cocktails, ‘bake off’ challenges, and hearing about careers across the visitor economy industry. Some of the more unusual events include Entomophagy – showing students how to create dishes using insects, and ‘Scouse on the Mersey’ – catering students will welcome commuters onto the ferry with bowls of scouse.
Events will take place from 5-8 February, and is aimed at showcasing the variety of opportunities and diverse skills associated with our growing visitor economy sector. The colleges involved are Riverside College, Hugh Baird College, St Helens College, Knowsley College, Southport College, Wirral Met and The City of Liverpool College.
Visitor Economy Week is sponsored by the LCR Apprenticeship Hub – a collaborative group aiming to increase the awareness, number and quality of apprenticeships available across the Liverpool City Region.
The Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) visitor economy team supports this week as part of its initiative to help skills development across the sector. They have been working with colleges and skills providers across the region to help retain employees in the sector and improve links with employers.
The launch event will take place on the 5 February at Anfield Stadium with speakers including Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.
Peter Sandman, Head of Visitor Economy at Liverpool City Region LEP, said: “With the local visitor economy now worth over £4.3bn annually and supporting over 51,500 jobs, the number and range of jobs in the sector has significantly increased due to high demand.
“Visitor Economy Week provides a great opportunity for students to discover potential career options and help guide those students looking to explore vocational training.”
Melanie Dodd, Skills Strategy Manager for the Apprenticeship Hub, said: “I am very excited to be supporting Visitor Economy Week which will see over 50 Skills Shows being delivered by seven FE Colleges to residents in Liverpool City Region. They are dedicated to ensuring high quality Apprenticeships are available and respected as a sound route into professional careers.”
For more details and a full list of events please go to www.visitoreconomyweek.co.uk