Career Links
Careers
Engineering
Marketing
Web Design
Accountancy
Acc.
Technician
Courses
PLC
UCD
Openday
CERT
Exams
Post
Mock
Pre
Exam
The Tourism and Hospitality Industry already employs one in seven people in the Irish workforce and it is growing faster than ever. It covers a huge range of businesses from big hotels to B&Bs, from restaurants to golf clubs and with the right training you can develop your skills. CERT can give you the training to succeed in any area of the tourism and hospitality industry - whether you want to be a chef, a travel agent or a barperson.
For more information contact CERT, CERT House, Amiens St., Dublin 1.
Phone: 01-884 7801
Fax: 01-855 6821
Email: info@cert.ie
Website: www.cert.ie
Why CERT?
What can I do with a CERT education?
The qualification you earn is recognised and respected, and will allow you to achieve success in your chosen career. As an example, one of the most important professions within this industry is that of qualified chef.
Developing the art of quality service
CERT has developed a comprehensive multi-skills programme - the National Craft Certificate in Hospitality Skills - the aim of which is to develop the art of quality service.
Profiles
Profile No. 1: Nicola is a chef at Clontarf Castle who did her CERT training at the Waterford Institute of Technology.Profile No. 2: Paul is a pastry chef at the five-star Merrion Hotel in Dublin.
Profile No. 3: Anne Marie Blake trained in hospitality skills. She also has an Advanced Certificate in Accommodation from Cork IT.
Profile No. 4: Pamela Nolan trained in Hospitality Skills at the Waterford Istitute of Technology and participated in the Management Trainee Programme at DIT.
Profile No. 5: Michael O'Connor trained in hospitality skills in Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology and holds an Advanced Certificate in Supervisory Development.
Why CERT?
- A CERT qualification is recognised nationally and internationally. The National Tourism Certificate Board (NTCB) awards qualifications.
- Training is flexible and may be full-time, part-time or on-the-job.
- During your training you will be paid a guaranteed rate and paid during work placements.
- CERT courses are run in colleges around Ireland including; Waterford IT, IT Tralee, IT Tallaght, Sligo IT, Limerick IT, Tourism College Killybegs, Galway/Mayo IT, Dundalk IT, DIT, Cork IT and Athlone IT.
- Different levels of training depending on your experience and career choice are available: National Elementary Certificate; National Craft Certificate; Advanced National Certificate and National Diploma.
- You apply directly to CERT, there are no CAO forms. CERT courses emphasise practical experience to complement in-class learning. Work placement allows CERT students to learn from a variety of professionals in real work environments. The National Craft Certificate is two-year full-time course designed for school-leavers that want to start their career in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
What can I do with a CERT education?
The qualification you earn is recognised and respected, and will allow you to achieve success in your chosen career. As an example, one of the most important professions within this industry is that of qualified chef. A trained chef is a demanding and rewarding career that encompasses food preparation, cookery skills and kitchen management. CERT courses include training in all these basic skill areas and also in the areas of communications, information technology and applied European languages. In addition, your education includes a period of paid work placement. As your career develops you may wish to return to improve your skills by taking an advanced or supervisory course. Your CERT training will give you a start in the career of your choice. Training in the tourism and hospitality industry gives you the flexibility to pursue an exciting career in Ireland or abroad with the highest standards and qualifications. In the last year, over 11,000 people participated in CERT programmes covering all aspects of the tourism and hospitality industry.Unlike other industries, you can achieve qualifications and enter the tourism industry in many ways. Some of these are:
PLC Courses in Hotel or Catering are offered on a one-year full-time basis in a number of second level, community training workshops and VTOS centres around the country.
CERT National Elementary Certificate programmes are offered on a 13-week or a 16-week, full time basis in CERT Centres.
CERT National Craft Certificates programmes are available in:
- Professional Cookery
- Hospitality Skills
- Bar Service
- Receptionist
- Tourism Skills
- Travel Agency
Back to the top of the page
Developing the art of quality service
Qualification:National Craft Certificate.
Application Procedure:
Apply directly to CERT, CERT House, Amiens Street, Dublin 1. Completed forms to be returned to CERT at above address. Interviews are held between May and August each year. Courses commence in September 2001.
Course Locations:
Institutes of Technology in Athlone, Cork, Dundalk, Galway/Mayo, Limerick, Tallaght, Tralee & Tourism College Killybegs.
CERT has developed a comprehensive multi-skills programme - the National Craft Certificate in Hospitality Skills -- the aim of which is to develop the art of quality service.
Already, graduates of this programme are playing an increasingly important role in Irish tourism. In particular, Hospitality Skills graduates are satisfying the growing need among smaller tourism businesses for people who can work effectively in any or all of the following areas - reception, kitchen, bar, accommodation or restaurant. This type of job arrangement is proving to be very attractive for those who enjoy variety, as well as for those with an eye on management positions who are seeking as much all-round experience as possible. The varied nature of this work allows graduates to examine different aspects of the industry from close-quarters; something that proves most instructive when later deciding what areas to specialise in.
What exactly is required and who can apply?
The National Craft Certificate in Hospitality Skills is a two-year, full-time course culminating in a National Craft Certificate. The course prepares students for multi-skilled employment at a professional level within the tourism and hospitality industry. It is designed for school leavers - however mature students are always welcomed. Training covers both theory and practice and includes paid work-placement.
During the two-year programme areas of study include:
Restaurant Service (including wine), Accommodation Operations, Bar Service, some Food Production (Cookery), Communications, Restaurant Event Planning and Implementation, Front Office Operations, Information Technology and Office Skills, Hygiene and Applied European Language. Business subjects include Marketing, Law, Bookkeeping, Calculations, Quality Service and Sales.
On completion of the programme, graduates are qualified to work as a 3rd year Hospitality Assistant - generally regarded as a multi-skilled professional in most areas of the industry. In this role, graduates find employment in hotels, guest-houses, pubs, catering businesses, leisure and activity centres, cruise-liners and tourist-attractions. On completion, graduates may decide to specialise in a particular area such as restaurant, bar, accommodation services or reception.
Graduates are then eligible to follow the full-time Advanced Certificate in Supervisory Development and the Supervisory Development Programme. Alternatively, some graduates continue into Hotel Management training.
Back to the top of the page
Profile No. 1
Nicola is a chef at Clontarf Casrle who did her CERT training at the Waterford Institute of Technology. "The course consisted of equal parts of training and lectures. One of the great benefits of the course was the practical training through job placement where you have the opportunity to work with experienced professionals." CERT encourages its students to travel and learn by working. Nicola has worked throughout Ireland and in London and Paris.Participating in international competitions enhances learning, and Nicola won a silver medal at the prestigious Culinary Olympics in Berlin last Autumn and is very positive about her education. "I would definitely recommend the CERT course, the people are fantastic! My certificate allows me to travel where I want. I intend to travel and get experience over the next five or six years before returning home. Hopefully, I can open my own restaurant when I return."
Back to the top of the page
Profile No. 2
Paul is a pastry chef at the five-star Merrion Hotel in Dublin. His training has allowed him to work at some of the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in Ireland and abroad. The most positive aspect of CERT training for Paul is the on-the-job training. He completed his first CERT course as a chef and obtained job placement in a high quality hotel. From there his career has accelerated. After advanced training Paul got a position as pastry chef at one of the rare Michelin star restaurants. "The great thing about CERT is that it gets you off to a very good start". Like Nicola, Paul has taken every opportunity to travel and see other practices. The opportunities are there, it is up to you to decide what to do.Back to the top of the page
Profile No. 3
Name: Anne Marie Blake, Ennis, Co ClareCourse:
- Hospitality Skills, Torc Great Southern Hotel, Killarney
- Advanced Certificate in Accommodation, Cork IT
- Supervisory Development, Cork IT
- Templegate Hotel, Ennis
- Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
- Woodstock Hotel, Ennis (Current job - Accommodation Manager)
'Because of my all-round training, I can understand and appreciate what my colleagues are doing in the other departments of the hotel and as a result we have very good communication and teamwork skills. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't be in the position of Accommodation Manager today if I hadn't done the CERT Hospitality Skills programme.'
Profile No. 4
Name: Pamela NolanCourse:
- Hospitality Skills, Waterford Institute of Technology
- Management Trainee Programme, DIT (Day Release)
- Brandon Hotel, Tralee
- Rathsallagh House
- Dromoland Castle
- Merrion Hotel Dublin (Current)
- Gold Medal in Restaurant Service - CATEX 2001 Winner
- Silver Medal in Restaurant Service - CATEX 2001
- CERT Dine & Wine Competition 2000
- AEHT Competition Luxembourg 1999
'Because of my training, I'm now very confident when I'm working. I've learnt how to keep my head under pressure and also to fully assess a situation before dealing with it.'
'The tourism industry is challenging and you really have to be passionate about working in it. You also have to be a people's person, after all, more than anything else hospitality is all about people.'
'I am now studying a three-year Management Trainee Programme, working in the Merrion Hotel and attending lectures in Cathal Brugha Street. The hospitality programme has given me an excellent foothold in 1st year. In fact, I'd say I have a distinct advantage because of my qualification.'
Profile No. 5
Name: Michael O'Connor, Co GalwayCourse:
- Hospitality Skills, Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology
- Advanced Certificate Supervisory Development
- Great Southern Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway
- Lady Gregory Hotel, Ennis
- Cruise Liner - C1 Cruises
- Scholarship 6ths - Louvain for Ireland In Brussels 2000
- National Apprenticeship Winner 2001 (and as a result hopes to represent Ireland in Seoul, Korea, in World Olympics)
- National Apprenticeship finalist 1999, 2000 & 2001
- Gold Medal in Restaurant Service - Chef Ireland 2001
- Student of the Year 1999
- AEHT Competition Luxembourg 1999
'You learn the business both from a practical and theoretical perspective. I've subsequently found the business subjects -- particularly law and marketing -- of real benefit.'
