Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) are delighted to announce the opening of its new Kenmare Culinary Skills Centre in the Kenmare Further Education and Training Centre, Bell Heights, Kenmare, Co. Kerry. The new facilities will be officially opened by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Brendan Griffin, TD on Friday the 23rd of November at 12pm.
This State of the Art Culinary training facility based in the Kenmare Further Education and Training Centre provides the facilities in Kenmare for Kerry ETB to deliver the Commis Chef Apprenticeship (QQI level 6) course in Kenmare. As part of the course, the apprentices will spend 40% of their training in the training kitchen and 60% of their training on the job. This apprenticeship model allows for the apprentice to transfer their skills from the training Kitchen directly to the workplace. On completion of the programme the apprentice will be awarded a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts.
This new facility will add to the suite of courses already offered by the Kenmare Further Education and Training Centre. Current provision includes plant Propagation and Plant Science, Early Childhood Care and Education, Healthcare Support and Tourism with Business. A full list of their courses can be accessed at www.fetch.ie
Commenting on the opening of the New Culinary Skills Centre, Mr. Colm Mc Evoy CEO of Kerry ETB stated “Kerry ETB provides a very comprehensive range of Further Education and Training programmes across the County. The opening of this new Culinary Skills facility in Kenmare will help in ensuring that both learners and employers in this area of South Kerry have direct access to this modern culinary training facility locally. I am confident that many learners who pursue apprenticeships, traineeships or other courses in this facility will progress to the workplace locally. The apprenticeship delivered from this facility will help in addressing skills gaps and job vacancies in this area, which is one of the premier tourist locations in Ireland.”
Owen O’Donnell, Director of Further Education in Kerry ETB stated “This marks a significant investment from Kerry ETB in the hospitality and culinary skills sector in Kenmare and also in the South Kerry Region.”
Shivaun Shanahan, Adult Education Officer with Kerry ETB acknowledged that “while Kenmare Further Education Centre has an extensive Further Education and Training programmes, the opening of the Culinary Centre is a very positive development for Kerry ETB as our aim is to ensure Learners and Employers have access to our services locally.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Brendan Griffin, TD said “this is of enormous benefit to Kenmare and the wider South Kerry area in terms of providing training opportunities for people to take up fulltime all year round employment in the hospitality and tourism industry but also in terms of serving the needs and requirements of that industry in terms of meeting the skills shortages that are currently existing because of the unprecedented growth and success of tourism in Kerry where we have seen over 25 percent growth in visitor numbers during 2017 and 2018 which resulted in a growth in revenue and employment. “
“I wish to congratulate Kerry ETB and all of their partners in this outstanding endeavour which literally will transform lives by giving people the opportunity to grow up live and work in their native place and make an enormous contribution to their communities through their employment and the provision of outstanding tourism service to all of our visitors.”
