Latest MEA Tourism Training Opportunities

City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Principles of Customer Service in Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism

Are you working or volunteering on the front line of tourism in Mid and East Antrim? Whether you're an accommodation or hospitality provider, tour guide, visitor attraction staff member, or an experience provider, this is your chance to sharpen your customer service skills and gain a nationally recognised qualification – for free!

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with Northern Regional College (NRC), is offering the City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Principles of Customer Service in Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism – tailored for those who want to create memorable experiences for visitors.

📍 Location: NRC Ballymena Campus
📅 Date: Thursday 6 November 2025
🕘 Time: 09:00 - 18:00 (Participants will be required to complete a short test to gain accreditation.)
👥 Places are limited: Maximum 15 participants
💸 Cost: FREE – subject to eligibility and application

What You’ll Learn:  This hands-on, practical course will help you:

• Understand the core principles of customer service in tourism and hospitality
• Learn how to handle customer interactions professionally and confidently
• Explore ways to enhance visitor satisfaction and manage expectations
• Build skills in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork
• Gain insights into industry standards and best practices

Whether you're relatively new to the sector or looking to refresh your skills, this qualification will help you stand out, grow professionally, and deliver even better experiences to visitors.  Apply now HERE.  Applications close 9am on Monday 27 October 2025.

Expression of interest - Neighbourhood Tourism Experience Business Support  

Following the success of our ‘Embrace Community Spirit: Shaping Tourism Together’ workshop in March, Council is now inviting expressions of interest from:

• Local businesses
• Community and voluntary organisations
• Creatives and skilled individuals
• Collaborative groups

If you have a tourism experience idea that celebrates your local area - and you’re ready to develop it into a market-ready offering - we want to work with you. Whether it’s a guided walk, food experience, creative workshop, festival, or outdoor adventure, this is your opportunity to turn your idea into something visitors can enjoy and remember.

What Is Neighbourhood Tourism?

Neighbourhood tourism is about authentic, place-based experiences that reflect the unique identity of our towns, villages, and rural communities. It’s rooted in local culture, heritage, hospitality, creativity, and community spirit.

Why Get Involved?

We’re looking for people who are not just full of great ideas - but who also want to develop and deliver them with targeted business support. By submitting an expression of interest, you’ll help us:

• Identify individuals and organisations ready to take the next step
• Understand the types of experiences that are emerging across the borough
• Shape tailored support to help you succeed

While the exact nature of business support activities will need tailored to individual needs, potential activities may include:

• Mentoring and one-to-one guidance
• Training, networking and peer learning
• Access to toolkits and practical resources
• Marketing and experience development
• Small grants or funding advice (excluding capital funding)
• Market testing opportunities

Who Should Get Involved?

We’re looking for experiences that:
✅ Are based within Mid and East Antrim
✅ Have a clear connection to a local place or community
✅ Represent an existing or emerging concept
✅ Are backed by relevant skills or experience
✅ Are tourism-relevant (e.g. food, heritage, arts, outdoor activities)
✅ Offer something new or distinctive to the borough’s tourism offer

Business support activities are expected to begin in autumn/winter 2025.  Should there be adequate demand a second stage application process may be undertaken for the development of a potential Neighbourhood Tourism Experience Development Programme.

🔗 For further information or to submit your Expression of Interest click HERE.

Let’s work together to embrace our community spirit and create unforgettable experiences for visitors.  Please spread the word to anyone that you think might be interested!  Expressions of interest close at 09:00 on Monday 22 September 2025. 

View our previous training opportunities here.