A collaborative policy research initiative is calling on hospitality and tourism employers across Northern Ireland to participate in a vital research project exploring inclusive recruitment. The project will also explore the practical steps needed to attract and retain diverse talent across the sector.

With over 300,000 people in Northern Ireland currently classified as economically inactive, representing 27.2% of the working age population, the research aims to uncover how the sector can engage and support underrepresented groups from this pool such as caregivers, individuals with disabilities, women and retirees. Of particular significance is the nearly 50,000 people in this group who want to return to work and would benefit from fair and inclusive employment opportunities.

Roisin McKee, Director of Northern Ireland for People 1st International commented:

“We want to hear about employer practices in inclusive recruitment that are making a difference, as well as the barriers that still remain so we can build the case for meaningful change. Given the ongoing recruitment and retention challenges that the sector is facing, the intelligence to better understand the issues faced in engaging these talent pools is more crucial than ever. This research will provide critical insights to shape policy and practices in accessing untapped talent and supporting them into work”

Employers are invited to contribute their insights by completing a short survey and/or participating in a 1-to-1 interview. The research will explore:

• Financial and non-financial barriers faced by employers to recruitment
• Case studies of successful inclusive recruitment practices
• Practical and policy recommendations for employers and government

Janice Gault, Chief Executive, NIHF added:

“We’re delighted to partner in this research to support evidence-based recommendations to foster fairer and more inclusive employment across the sector. Economic inactivity is a pressing issue that must be addressed collaboratively by government and employers. We strongly encourage businesses to share their views and solutions to address systemic barriers and support inclusive growth in our industry”

Why this matters:
There is untapped labour potential that could benefit your business and the wider sector. Building a more inclusive labour market is not only a social imperative, it is a strategic opportunity. Embracing a broader talent pool enhances innovation, resilience and long-term growth for the industry.

How to take part:
Employers can take the survey here www.surveymonkey.com/r/P1_NI or email [email protected] to take part in an interview.

About the research:

This research is one of nine grants awarded by EPIC Futures NI in Phase 1 of the Policy Commissioning Call.  EPIC Futures is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership local policy partnership hub, led by Ulster University and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Innovate UK, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

EPIC Futures brings together academia, policymakers, business, community and voluntary sector to tackle challenges in the skills and employability landscape. Partnered in this grant research project are People 1st International, HATS, the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF), Tourism NI and the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA). The goal is to inform future government policy and industry practices to contribute towards a more inclusive labour market in Northern Ireland.  Together, we aim to create evidence-based solutions to fair and inclusive employment across Northern Ireland.