Tourism Business Engagement

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Training

Thanks to funding through the Tourism NI COVID Market Led Product Development Programme 2021-22,  we are running accredited storytelling training to facilitate the development of creative storytelling experiences, which will be piloted within the two destination hub areas of Glenarm & Carnlough and Whitehead & Islandmagee. 

The course tutored by Liz Weir, will begin on Saturday 12 February 2022 for a maximum of 12 participants.

OCN NI Level 2 Oral Skills Unit for Storytelling (QCF) Training

The OCN NI Level 2 Oral Skills Unit for Storytelling qualification is specifically designed to provide participants with skills to undertake storytelling performances.  The key training topics are researching and analysing stories for oral performance commentaries, developing and improving skills required to engage the audience and maintain interest. Delivery will include a mixture of demonstration, theory and practical activities. 

Sessions will be delivered using power points, exercises, best practice and discussion, with participants afforded the opportunity to experience the work of well-established local storytellers. 

The programme will culminate in the candidates performing an oral story in front of an audience at a grand finale event on Saturday 19 March 2022.  If possible training will be delivered face-to-face at Carnlough Heritage Hub.  If virtual delivery is required, sessions will be facilitated through Zoom. 

To be considered eligible for this free training programme you will be required to confirm the following details in the attached application form:

Essential criteria

1. Resident in Mid and East Antrim.  (Allowance for employees working for MEA businesses will be considered on an individual basis.)

2. Agreement to be video recorded as part of the group for assessment purposes.

3. Agreement to do storytelling in a public venue in front of an audience as part of a grand finale event for assessment purposes.

4. Availability to attend all sessions – dates and times outlined in attached programme.

As places are limited a space cannot be guaranteed and should the course be oversubscribed we may therefore need to apply a screening process. In the event of needing to allocate on this basis, participants will be assessed against the following additional criteria:

Desirable criteria

5. Reason for wanting to do the course

6. Your storytelling interests - these will be explored further in the course and you won’t be held to them!

7. Experience relevant to the storytelling role

8. How you intend to use these skills in the future

9. Participation in the DAERA Rural Tourism Collaborative Experiences Programme being run by Council in Glenarm & Carnlough or Whitehead & Islandmagee*

* Preference will be given to participants contributing to experiences within the DAERA Rural Tourism Collaborative Experiences Programme. Funding for this course is through Tourism NI’s COVID Market Led Product Development Programme 2021-22, which is linked to the development of these new experiences.

If you are interested in participating on this course please complete and return the application form by 5pm on Monday 31 January 2022 to tourism@midandeastantrim.gov.uk