The CERT trainee manager development programme runs over four years. It is certified jointly by CERT, the Irish Hotels Federation and the Irish Hotel and Catering Institute.

A programme code of practice defines minimum pay rates, hours, mentoring and training leave required of hotels which are registered with CERT to run the programme. The programme

includes a CERT management studies certificate programme, comprising a 4 to 6 week lecture module in CERT each year, a distance learning programme and annual exams. Full-time courses are based at Athlone IT, Cork IT, DIT Cathal Brugha, Galway/ Mayo IT, Shannon College of Hotel Management and Waterford IT.

Dennis Murphy, head of Galway/Mayo IT's department of hotel and catering management, finds that "the vast majority of young people" are choosing the third-level route, using the CAO system. "We have a block release diploma (in hotel and catering management) for students who have a minimum of one year's PLC experience. We have 30 places a year, fully grant aided, a weekly grant and yet the number of applicants for that course which is ex-CAO is falling steadily." "The industry would be very attracted to graduates of that course. They have the best of both worlds."