Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has begun recruiting for its next tour guide training programme -to enable enthusiastic locals from across the Borough to become qualified tour guides in a drive to boost visitors to the area.
The Council has teamed up with Northern Regional College to deliver the OCN NI Level 2 Award in Tour Guiding (QCF) qualification, which has been designed to provide the learner with skills in the travel and tourism industry - enabling them to develop a commentary and lead groups on a guided tour.
The FREE training course will run for eight sessions commencing Monday 11 September 2023 in The Braid Museum & Arts Centre in Ballymena, finishing on Monday 6 November 2023. It will run primarily in the evenings (6pm-9pm) but a daytime FAM will be required and possibly some tour guide assessments during daylight hours.
The assessment method is a learner portfolio which is completed and submitted to cover three learning outcomes: understanding the role of the tour guide in the travel and tourism industry; the ability to produce a short tour commentary and understanding the health and safety implications of tour guiding.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, said:
“The fact that local people can now become qualified guides bolsters our commitment to create authentic tourism experiences here in Mid and East Antrim and goes hand in hand with wider plans to market our Borough’s compelling tourism proposition on the international stage.
“If you’ve got your own interesting stories to share with tourists about an area which is important to you, give this course a go! It’s fun, practical and teaches you new skills, I would encourage anyone with a keen interest to sign up - there’s nothing like good old story- telling!”
For further information or to apply for this programme,please log on to www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/TourismTraining or alternatively email tourism@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Places are limited and criteria applies. The deadline for return of completed applications is 5.00pm on Monday 14 August 2023. Please note, to qualify you will be required to confirm attendance at all 8 training sessions at 3 hours per week.
This programme is funded by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with Northern Regional College.