Q&A

Your education questions answered by Brian Mooney.

Can you give me some advice about careers in the hospitality and tourism industry? I have a daughter who has worked part-time in the kitchen of a local restaurant and loved it. She is wavering between training as a chef or seeking a more academic, management-type qualification. Can she combine the two? What are her career prospects?

Tourism is one of Ireland's most successful and vibrant industries, offering a variety of exciting and rewarding career opportunities. Your daughter is potentially well on her way to success, having obtained and enjoyed her work experience to date. If she is interested in obtaining an academic qualification, there is a wide range higher degree, ordinary degree and national certificate programmes offered in all areas of the hotel and catering industry in institutes of technology throughout the State.

If she has a specific interest in the preparation and presentation of food she might consider the Bachelor of Business in Culinary Arts degree recently introduced by Fáilte Ireland. (Fáilte Ireland is the national tourism development authority and all the hospitality and tourism courses formerly run by CERT are now under its remit.)

This three-year, full-time modular course combines theory and practice. During years one and two, students spend equal amounts of time studying culinary arts and business studies, while in year three, 70 per cent is business studies and 30 per cent culinary arts. In addition, students select one culinary specialism from: pastry, classical and contemporary cuisine, food critique and photography and design. Students also have the opportunity to complete an eight-week mentored professional internship in registered establishments at the end of years one and two.

Graduates receive a Bachelor's Degree in Business Studies (Culinary Arts) which is awarded by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and is an EU-recognised qualification. They will be qualified for a wide range of careers in professional cookery and related industries such as head/sous chef in the hotel, restaurant, health and industrial-catering sectors; food-product development technician, food safety advisor, unit catering manager. They can also work in food promotion or as a food stylist.

Should your daughter opt for more practical or skills-oriented training, Fáilte Ireland offers flexible and varied training options to suit almost everyone. While most courses are full-time, many offer the option of part-time or on-the-job training. Courses are held in ITs and Fáilte Ireland centres across the State, so access to training is not a problem.

There are four main levels of training, ranging from 13- to 16-week skills training courses to the three-year degree courses already mentioned, and it is possible to progress from one level to the next with relative ease. Successful completion of training with Fáilte Ireland leads to an EU-recognised qualification from FETAC - the Further Education and Training Awards Council - or HETAC, as appropriate. There is also the opportunity for further training and/or professional development.

The Irish hospitality and tourism industry is forecasted to remain a substantial employer into the foreseeable future. For further details of the degree course and other education and training options, contact Fáilte Ireland's one-stop-shop for careers information, the People in Tourism Centre, 88-95 Amiens Street, Dublin 1. Callsave 1850-256-256. You can also check out the Fáilte Ireland website at www.failteireland.ie

Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors