02 April, 2018

Forty-Five Industry Partners presented to students from the areas of Tourism, Hospitality, Culinary and Beverage Industry Management at our annual Careers Day which was held on the 8th of March.  This was followed by a luncheon which the students prepared and served.  The event was an ideal opportunity for employers to present their brand and meet students interested in full-time, part-time and summer positions.  Industry partners who were present on the day included Trigon Hotels, Adare Manor, The K Club, Seabourne Cruise Lines, Vagabond Tours, Cork Airport, Hayfield Manor, Fota Wildlife Park and The Sutton Place Hotel in Canada.  We were also delighted to welcome back a number of graduates representing their employers including Patrick Shields, Sarah Sexton, John Burchill and Katie Leonard.

The Tourism & Hospitality Department at CIT were delighted to hear that current Culinary Studies student Donna Hennessy was announced as the Irish Hotels Federation Cork Branch Employee of the Year for 2018.  Donna was presented with her award at a luncheon in the Rochestown Park Hotel on the 22nd of February by Branch Chairman Mr Aaron Mansworth – the newly elected Vice President of the National IHF.  Donna works in Castlemartyr Resort as a Commis Chef and was chosen from twenty-three candidates put forward by hotels and guesthouses in Cork.  The judging panel applauded Donna’s commitment to personal development and her passion for the industry.  Her prize will see her travelling to a vineyard in France for a wine and food experience, and she also won two return flights to Boston.  

Donagh Davern, a lecturer in Hospitality, appeared on Drivetime with Mary Wilson on RTE Radio 1 on Wednesday 7th of March to speak about the chef shortage in Ireland and the need for greater industry branding efforts.  He also was a guest speaker for the first Cork located Irish Hospitality Institute Breakfast Briefing which was held in the Cork International Hotel on the 15th of February.  Forty senior hoteliers from the City and County attended the presentation “Being Millennial Minded – Can we continue to attract and retain this generation in today’s hotel business environment?”  

We have been out on the road over the last few months promoting the industry to schools with our Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary Roadshow, engaging with TY students in schools via presentation, culinary and mocktail demonstrations.  Schools visited included St Angela’s College, Glanmire Community College, Bandon Grammar School, Douglas Community School, St Francis College Rochestown and Mayfield Community School.

To explore how CIT can collaborate with you and your company, email us today extendedcampus@cit.ie or call us on 021 433 5302.