Templemore College Course Emphasises Employability

The Irish tourism industry is in a state of rude good health.  Presently there are 235,000 employed by the industry and there would be more if additional skilled employees were available. Skill shortages are a problem right across the hospitality sector and Templemore College of Further Education, as a vocationally orientated institute, has been providing well-educated employees to the sector for almost two decades.

“We specialise in supplying high-quality employees to the tourism industry with emphasis on building each students confidence and ability to express themselves with classroom discussion and practical learning, “says Dr Noel Colleran, College Principal. “The college is a centre for the EU Erasmus Programme, which is aimed at increasing the employability and language skills of students.   Our tourism students now have an opportunity for all expenses paid work-experience abroad, with last year’s placement having been a very successful one to the Canary Islands.  “Working in the tourism industry outside of Ireland gives our students a new and valuable perspective on operations within the hospitality sector,” says, Dr Colleran.

When transitioning between jobs, Michael Collins from Two Mile Borris, Thurles completed a Level 5, Certificate in Tourism with Business at Templemore College. “It was the great variety of the subjects that I most enjoyed.  Heritage studies and language were particular favourites of mine, while I really liked the group discussions and interacting with the young people in my class” says Collins. Having now returned to the workplace, he would encourage students of all ages to consider Templemore College. “Age should be no barriers since the positive and very supportive atmosphere in the college suits students of all ages and builds a very inclusive atmosphere.”

The Business with Tourism programme also prepares students for work as cabin crew with international airlines. A broad introduction to the working of the airline industry is provided along with intensive preparation for cabin crew interviews.  Faith Rafter, was a student at Templemore College, who went to get her wings as an air stewardess. According to Faith, her Level 5, provided an intensive grounding in the workings of the airline industry along with training in a foreign language, customer service and communications. This, she believes, gave her the necessary aptitudes to come through the airline selection process. “The course was very interesting,” said Faith “there is a great atmosphere in Templemore college and the tutors all had practical experience of working in the subject area.”

So, if you are a school leaver, mature student, or a community activist interested in promoting locally based tourism, Templemore College provides the necessary skills to further your ambitions. A one-year, full-time course in business with tourism begins in Sept 2018.  Details are available by telephoning 0504-31007, visiting www.tcfe.ie or emailing info@tcfe.ie.

Dean Kelly on Erasmus work experience in Tenerife