Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Tourism Training.

Tony Killeen

Question:

225 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the strategy or policy, if any, which is being pursued by his Department to ensure that adequate in-service training is available for commis chefs and others in tourism-related employment; and the discussions, if any, he has had with the Department of Education to advance standards in this area. [6081/97]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

CERT is the State body with responsibility for tourism training. Last year they trained almost 12,000 people for the tourism industry including 2,177 commis chefs at a cost of almost £12 million. They plan to train similar numbers for the industry in the current year and in each subsequent year up to end 1999 in line with projections in the current operational programme for tourism.

CERT persue a multi-pronged approach with regard to the provision of in-service training for the existing tourism workforce. Day release programmes are provided for young entrants to the industry, which allows them to pursue a formal qualification, while continuing to work in the industry. Other tourism workers are enabled to climb the skill and career ladder in tourism through attendance at a formal training programme during the tourism off-season.

Parallel with these formal qualification-based training programmes, CERT has a wide range of short-term flexible programmes which allow tourism managers and workers to develop their skills without disrupting their work commitments. Some 5,000 people are targeted by CERT annually through advisory projects, in-company training and externally delivered training programmes. Though not part of the formal education system, these programmes have the flexibility and responsiveness to be developed and operational within a short time frame that can meet specifically targeted needs.

Specifically with regard to standards, CERT has the assistance and support of the National Tourism Certification Board which includes a range of representatives from the Department of Education, other educational bodies, the industry and CERT itself and whose primary remit is to seek to maintain high standards in the industry.