The ceremony recognised 16 graduates for their achievements. The certificates were awarded by Martin Holohan, the GM of the Mespil Hotel and TMDP Chairman, Natasha Kinsella, the CEO the IHI, and Gerry Talbot, Acting Head of Department of Hotel and Catering GMIT.
Representing the graduating class Tara Lavin, from the Claregalway Hotel made a speech that summed up her experience of the TMDP programme ‘This programme offers people the opportunity to receive recognition for the experience they have earned in the hotel industry, while also receiving an internationally recognised qualification in Business Studies (Hotel Management )’. She also highly praised the work of the lecturers at GMIT, the hotels that trained all of the graduates and Fáilte Ireland for their support.
The culmination of the ceremony was the announcement of the Graduate of the Year. The award is presented to the student with the highest level of both academic and work performance. This year’s recipient was Tanya Fitzgerald from Cork, Carrigaline Court Hotel.All 16 graduates continue working in the hotel industry, with some furthering their education on the Block Release in GMIT.
Click here for information on the TMDP Programme
Click here to read an interview with student of the year Tanya Fitzgerald