Tourism Trails With Smart Media

The aim of the programme is to up skill a cohort of people within Waterford County to meet the demands of the tourism and landscaping enterprises that support Waterford trails network. The entrepreneurial skills module will equip learners to develop their own trails related business ideas during the programme.

Programme Objectives

On completing this Programme participants will:

• Achieve QQI Level 5 Major Award in Tourism with Business. The purpose of this award is to enable learners to independently and effectively carry out a range of functions in tourism enterprises related to Waterford’s network of trails or to progress to further/higher education and training. 
• Understanding and competence in the use of a range of digital technologies and social media platforms in a tourism context.
• Have a good understanding of heritage, cultural and activity tourism product potential on the trail routes and in the city and county. 
• Be able to identify how a trail can be developed, managed and maintained within the standards set under the Waterford Trails Development Strategy and in line with the guidelines of the National Trails Office. 
• Develop a range of hard landscaping skills needed to work in trail construction. 
• Generate an awareness of the role of community in tourism development including trail development, accommodation provision, interpretation and support services.

The programme is made up of:

5 core modules: Tourism Principles & Practice; Tourism Information and Administration; Communications; Work Experience; and Word Processing.

5 additional modules: Sport & Recreation; Entrepreneurial Skills; Heritage; and Multimedia Authoring.

Non-accredited module: Community Trail Development.

The practical nature of the training will appeal to those interested in developing careers in tourism including activity tourism, guiding, information provision and accommodation provision. Participants also develop skills in trail planning, development and construction and will be given the opportunity of working on local trails and experience trails throughout the county as part of the programme. It is anticipated the participants will finish the programme with a thorough knowledge of a network of trails within County Waterford and the tourism opportunities that stem from that network.

On successful completion, you will receive the following award:

QQI Level 5 Major Award 

Tourism with Business 5M5011

MODULES OF THE PROGRAMME

                                  Tourism Principles & Practice 5N2078                 Tourism Info & Administration 5N0636

                                         Entrepreneurial Skills 5N1951                                      Heritage 5N1453

                                           Communications 5N0690                                      Work Experience 5N1356

                                          Word Processing 5N1358                                  Community Trail Development

                                       Multimedia Authoring 5N1299                                Sport & Recreation 5N2667

“This course was the perfect experience for me during the last Covid lockdown. It gave me a wonderful opportunity to return to education. The classes were fun and enlightening and the classmates were so lovely and supportive. The course provided me with the opportunity to improve my computer skills, discover the locality (when restrictions were lifted) and learn about the tourism industry. The tutors are wonderful and it was such a privilege to make friends with such a great bunch of class mates. I am now in a great position to return to my yoga business and bring my newfound skills and knowledge with me. I see many opportunities to expand my yoga services to cater for the tourism sector.”

Dorothy Proctor, Trails Participant

“The course is perfect for anybody interested in the outdoors, adventure, and learning about our heritage and the how the tourism industry works. It is a highly practical course involving many excursions and fascinating guided walks to places around the Southeast that you didn’t even know existed. The learning outcomes can be taken on board at your own pace and are delivered in an interesting and engaging manner by all the lecturers.”

Jamie Murphy, Trails Participant

“The tutors were very helpful, supportive and had a way of teaching their modules in an engaging and motivating manner. I really enjoyed the atmosphere provided by the staff and the centre throughout the course, I found it very beneficial to my studies. This course helped me further my education to progress to a third level education course.”

Paula Kenneally, Trails Participant

“Having worked for years in industry I was looking for a new direction in life, preferably outdoor based and in a different line of work. I now have a clearer view of the rich heritage of the area and the future career opportunities on offer in the tourism sector.”

Terence Boyle, Trails Participant