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Sharon did summer jobs in restaurants, bars and kitchens throughout school and when she finished she looked for a course she could do while she was working.
“The Trainee Manager Development Programme was set up by Fáilte Ireland with the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, and it combines study with hands-on experience in the industry,” explains Sharon.
“You spend 10 months of each year working at a hotel which runs the programme and the remaining month at college. While you’re working and getting experience in every department of the hotel you’re doing assignments, which you send to GMIT. The course lasts three years, during which time you get experience, get paid for it and obtain an academic qualification at the same time.
“Looking back now, I’m really happy I decided to go down this route and I would definitely recommend it. A lot of people are coming out of college in debt these days, but with the TMDP course you don’t have to worry about that. There are many routes you can take into the tourism industry; this way I got to experience any obstacles or difficult situations as I went along.
“I think that hands-on experience is a lot better than a book telling you how you should deal with a situation, no matter what industry you’re in.
“The Trainee Manager Development Programme also opens up opportunities for further education. On completion of the TMDP course I went back to GMIT to complete the Ordinary Degree in Business in Hotel and Catering Management which lasts for six months.
“I’ve finished the course now and I’m working as a duty manager. I’m responsible for checking in on all departments when I arrive. I’ll start with reception and accommodation to check how the previous night and morning went for them and if there were any problems or queries that needed to be dealt with. I might check in on the restaurant after that to see how breakfast went and if they need a hand with anything. I help out in other departments if they’re rushed off their feet or are short staffed. There’s also paperwork for the hotel that I need to look after.”
Click here for more information on the Trainee Management Development Programme