Belfast Metropolitan College and Tourism Northern Ireland conducted an OCN Level 2 customer service training course for tourism and hospitality staff at Crumlin Road Gaol Visitor Attraction and Conference Centre. The programme receives funding from the Department for the Economy's Skills Focus initiative.

The sessions address customer service practices, visitor needs assessment and communication methods such as questioning and active listening. Participants take a guided tour of the venue to observe operations in a working environment.

Additional courses are set for Titanic Hotel Belfast and Titanic Belfast on 9 March and 16 March. Two further sessions will occur at Derry's Guildhall on 9 March and 26 March.

Carolyn Boyd, industry development manager at Tourism Northern Ireland, noted that the collaboration with Belfast Met supports rollout of these courses to build customer service standards and draw new workers to the sector.

Margaret McCabe, centre manager at Belfast Metropolitan College, indicated the training equips current employees with skills matching Tourism Northern Ireland's branding to improve visitor interactions.