New hospitality degree launched at SETU in Waterford in boost for local tourism
A Bachelor of Business in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree has been launched at SETU in Waterford
A new hospitality and tourism degree has been launched at the South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford.
The new Bachelor of Business in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree was launched at SETU on Monday.
The three and a half year course provides a unique, hybrid programme, where students can work as they learn.
The Level 7 course is designed for full-time employees, with work integrated learning each week.
The first cohort of 24 students started in September of this year, all of whom are working in the hospitality/tourism sector in Ireland.
Speaking at the launch of the course, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke outlined how the programme aligns with national policy.
Minister Burke said: “We are world-renowned for our ‘céad míle failte’, and the tourism experience we offer is influenced hugely by the warmth of welcome and service provided by professionals in the tourism industry.
“This new programme reflects strong collaboration between academia and industry and has been designed to respond directly to the skills and workforce needs of the tourism and hospitality sector.
“Courses such as this play an important role in positioning tourism as a career of choice and for life, supporting individuals to enter, progress and thrive within the industry while helping businesses access the talent needed for continued growth.”
He highlighted the economic and regional impact of tourism right across the country.
Minister Burke recognised the key contribution made to the development and delivery of the programme by stakeholders such as the County Wexford Chamber Skillnet, the South-East Regional Skills Forum, Wexford and Waterford ETB, the Irish Hotels Federation and Fáilte Ireland.
The Minister concluded “Investment in skills is an investment in people. By supporting lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling, we can help individuals adapt to change and pursue interesting and rewarding careers while supporting business growth and innovation.”
The programme is being implemented by SETU in partnership with County Wexford Chamber Skillnet, which is funding up to 40 per cent of the programme costs for more than half of the current student cohort.
It has received strong support from organisations including Fáilte Ireland, the South-East Regional Skills Forum, WWETB, the Irish Hotels Federation and other key sector partners.
The programme aims to deliver industry-ready management professionals, supporting the development of specialised knowledge, applied managerial capability, and supervisory competence appropriate to operational and middle-management roles within hospitality and tourism enterprises.
The curriculum is designed to progressively develop leadership capability, interpersonal and customer engagement expertise, operational and commercial management competence, and sustained personal and professional growth across the duration of the programme.
The broad nature of the programme expands the opportunity for intake to include a variety of candidates from a wide pool within the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Its flexible structure supports access for non-traditional and mature learners, enabling participants to earn a salary while undertaking a professionally recognised business degree.