The Galway International Hotel School, GMIT, has launched an innovative series of short one-week courses designed for transition and fifth year secondary school students to help them prepare for jobs in the tourism industry this coming season.
There are three main courses on offer: food and beverage service skills, culinary skills, and pastry and baking skills. Each course is of four days duration, and each will be run for three consecutive weeks in GMIT commencing May. There are two add-on options for participants at the end of each week, one covering basic food hygiene certification that is essential for anyone working in a food service environment, and one on specially designed CV preparation and career workshop. The courses will be delivered by lecturers in the Galway International Hotel School who have a wealth of experience and knowledge in tourism education.
Diarmuid Ó Conghaile, Head of Department for Tourism & Heritage, GMIT, said the industry has and will continue to rely heavily on young people to fill the enormous shortfall of labour in the tourism industry at present.
“We are acutely aware of how difficult it can be for young people to be thrown in at the deep end at the beginning of the season without any prior experience or training.
“These bootcamps will allow us to continue to support industry, but most importantly they will allow us to help the young people who will sign up to be best prepared for their summer jobs in the industry this coming season. “
“In addition, we hope to inspire the participants as to the varied career opportunities available in the tourism industry, both at home and abroad.”
“Fáilte Ireland recently published a report which highlighted a shortfall of 40,000 vacancies in the tourism industry at present, and this is expected to rise as demand increases this season. Vacancies are being advertised in a range of areas across the industry, most notably for chefs and service staff. In the summer of 2021 one-in-three workers were new to tourism and hospitality, many of whom were young second level students according to Fáilte Ireland research.”
Jacinta Dalton, Head of Department for Culinary Arts and Service Industries, GMIT, says: “We are delighted to be able to support our industry partners with these essential skills training programmes whilst providing a safe, fun and confidence-building environment for young people to assist them in securing summer work. First jobs are memorable experiences and it is our aim to give students the best possible experience of our industry. Our dedicated training spaces will allow students train in restaurant/bar and kitchen environments under the supervision and guidance of tourism education professionals”.
“If you are interested in signing up to one or more of the Tourism Industry Skills Bootcamps in GMIT, visit: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tourism-industry-skills-bootcamps-gmit-tickets-293034924347”
The Bootcamps will run from Monday, 9 May, 2022, for three weeks and are open to both Transition Year and fifth year students. For information on other full and part-time course available in the Galway International Hotel School see: https://www.gmit.ie/schools-campuses/galway-international-hotel-school.
