Careers & Courses 2022 by southernstarIRL

The Southern Star | Careers & Courses 1 AUGUST 2022 Includes expert advice on CVs and interviews, careers in hospitality, starting college and developmentpersonal

Careers & Courses | The Southern Star ainfo@accesscu.ie028-21883ccesscu.ie STARTING A COURSE or OFF TO COLLEGE? We’re Here to Help With a range of Educational and Personal Loans to help you prepare for the new term. We also o er a full Current Account with Mastercard® Debit Card, and its FREE for all Students! Find out more at www.accesscu.ie or call us on (028) 21883 today! #fundingdreams Loans are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may a ect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. Lending criteria and terms and conditions apply. Mastercard is a registered trade mark, and the circles design is a trade mark of Mastercard International Incorporated. This card is issued by Transact Payments Malta Limited pursuant to licence by Mastercard International. Access Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS: 16th September 2022 IRELANDS PREMIERE INK CARTRIDGE & LASER TONER SUPPLIER

The complete Boarding and Day Pupil Educational Experience to the First Year 2022 a second up submitting

The Southern Star | Careers & Courses 3

boys and girls of

Welcome

Why not consider the Craft Apprenticeship Programme in Carbery? WE ARE SEEKING APPRENTICES (Electrical & Instrumentation and Mechanical) to join our busy Maintenance team. Candidates must have a Leaving Certificate and have passed the SOLAS Colour blindness test. If you are enthusiastic, positive and hardworking, apply now to www.carbery.com/careers (Apprentice vacancies)

WE ARE SEEKING APPRENTICES (Electrical & Instrumentation and Mechanical) to join our busy Maintenance team. Candidates must have a Leaving Certificate and have passed the SOLAS Colour blindness test. If you are enthusiastic, positive and hardworking, apply now to www.carbery.com/careers (Apprentice vacancies)

Seeking apprentices for a new Maintenance Apprenticeship Programme Why not consider the Craft Apprenticeship Programme in Carbery?

Global company – local heart Why not consider the Craft Apprenticeship Programme in Carbery?

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS: 16th September 2022

Global company – local heart Seeking apprentices for a new Maintenance Apprenticeship Programme

and best wishes to all staff and students eagerly resuming schooling in August. Wondering about

an ‘Intention to Apply’ form. An Open Day will be held in early autumn. At BGS we offer a broad, stimulating programme to help each pupil discover and reach full potential in a caring environment. Excellent academic support and outcomes make for confident, happy, flourishing young people. Numerous University Scholarships, BT Young Scientist Winner 2021, All Ireland Boys’ Hockey winners 2022. Congratulations and Best Wishes to the resilient and hugely talented Sixth Year of 2022. Bandon Grammar School, a Church of Ireland managed school working in a spirit of inclusion. Principal: Ian Coombes, B.A., H.D.E., M.Ed. Website: www.bandongrammar.ie • Email: office@bgsmail.ie • Phone: 023-8841713 Fax:023-8844404 • Twitter: @bandongrammar Visit our website www.bandongrammar.ie and follow up by arranging a visit once schools reopen. Founded 1642 Bandon Grammar School Co-Educational Boarding and Day CELTICBOOKSTRAVELLING celtictravellingbooks.comNATIONWIDESERVICEFREE BOOKS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY WITH 60% BACK HENRY FORD CLONAKILTYLODGE FREEPHONE 1800 728 828 GIFT VOUCHERS ONLINENceltictravellingbooks.comATIONWIDESERVICE OUR ROLE IN ADMINISTRATION FOR SCHOOLS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ESSENTIAL BUSINESS. ACCORDINGLY, ALL OUR BOOK FAIRS ARE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH COVID-19 LEGISLATION. FREE BOOKS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY WITH 60% BACK LODGE CLONAKILTY FREEPHONE 1800 728 828 GIFT VOUCHERS ONLINE

level school for your children? Taking inquiries now for 2023 – 2024. Visit our website www.bandongrammar.ie and follow

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS: 16th September 2022 Global company – local heart Why not consider the Craft Apprenticeship Programme in Carbery?

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS: 16th September 2022 Global company – local heart Work with us at Carbery

Careers & Courses | The Southern Star 4

Your CV and interview –what an employer wants

USE plain white paper, lay information out in clear sections - don’t use tables, different fonts or styles. You will want to keep the content as concise as possible while including as much relevant information as necessary.

Aurélien Tempier is the Production Manager, with West Cork-based food com pany Spice O’ Life, employing 40 people.

Finally, avoid overuse of words like passionate, motivated, self-starter... employers tend to expect these qualities as a given, what they really want to see on your CV are the points of difference that make you worthy of an interview and the role itself.

Finding the perfect job begins with presenting yourself as the best candidate for the role. Crafting an good CV that represents you well is just the first step, followed by a good interview. With this in mind we asked some well-known West Cork employers to give us the inside track on what they want from job applicants

Sarah Abbott, Chief People Officer at Carbery Group. Sarah is an award-winning HR Leader and Exeuctive Coach with extensive experience in HR strategy, talent development and team dynamics.

YOUR CV gives the employer the first glimpse of you and what you have to offer so make it clear and easy to Nothingread. more than two pages and add some colour to break up the sections such as a coloured line. After your contact details I like to see your work ex perience first, outline your responsibilities, the results you achieved and show me how you delivered. Explain the experience you have with tools, soft ware etc these are all the subjects that should be at the top of your CV. And remember no long sentences.

CHECK your spelling and grammar (sounds simple but many CVs have multiple errors on spelling) – if in doubt, get someone else to check it for you. First impressions count. For gaps in work/education, include an explanation and list your work/education in chronological order, starting with most recent. CVs should mirror your Linkedin profile and photos should beIncludeprofessional.relevant awards and hobbies that highlight strengths such as working as part of a team, problem solv ing, or Provideperseverance.detailoneach job – 4/5 bullets on what you did in the Keeprole.the format clean and easy to read, use bulleted rather than long paragraphs, use one font – ask someone who does not know you to read through it to determine if it is clear.Notice periods are useful – employees are interested in when you can start and how easily. Talk about your achievements. Use verbs to show these such as ‘Designed x, Created y, improved z’ Companies often specify submitted CVs online in either PDF or Microsoft Word – read this detail carefully, some software cannot accept a different format. Use a phone number/email contact that you check regu lary – this is really important. Unless stated, you do not need to attach transcripts or certifications.’

By adding a personal statement, you gain the reader’s attention – encouraging them to continue the CV review. Personal Statements should outline your motivation for applying for the role, your relevant skills, strengths, and your career goals. Remember keep it concise and to the point- ideally no more than a paragraph and/or under 100 words.Employers or recruiters don’t have time to interpret your skills and competencies by analysing your CV - you need to clearly demonstrate an alignment of skills between the Job description and your skill, competencies, and knowledge. In doing so you will also show that you understand what is required for the role and that you are the best person for the Rememberjob. that you’re marketing yourself.

Cormac Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald and Partners Accountants.

Cormac is an accountant with over 25 years of experience working with SMEs in all sectors.

MAKE an impact. Recruiters have lots of CVs to assess so you need to stand out. However, don’t resort to gimmicks (eg. graphics, overuse of different fonts, underlines etc) Then summarise yourself and why your experience is relevant to the role in one or two bullet points at the top of the CV, after your name/contact details etc so the recruiter reads this first and has their interest piqued, for example ‘Experienced customer call centre manager with back ground in building and managing teams in both business to business and business to consumer environments’ Keep it to two pages maximum, recruit ers have lots of CVs to assess so they don’t want to be wading through pages and pages of information. For each of your past roles include an example or two of something you achieved/delivered/introduced etc that illustrates your strength as a candidate in having relevance to the role for which your applying. Again keep it fairly succinct

Seán Mahon, Managing Director of The Southern Star has held senior roles in media, marketing and digital during his 25 year career to date within both large and medium-sized organisa tions in the UK and Ireland. During this time he has interviewed many candidates for both senior and junior roles.

By Brian Moore

The Southern Star | Careers & Courses 5

Aurélien Tempier, ‘First impressions are very important so relax, be yourself and do your research beforehand. If this is your first job it will be all about your character. Talk about you summer jobs, your training and perhaps other interest you might have that are relevant to the position you are applying for.’‘If you have experience in another company then highlight your role their and how you achieved targets, or deadlines or your cus tomer service.’

Sarah Abbott: ‘Prepare, Prepare, Prepare – do research on the company – what they do, their achievements to date, what they are focused on. They are looking for employees who can help with their business. Most companies have an ‘About Us’ on their website so ensure you read this. If possible, talk to a current employee or read recent newspaper articles. Recruiters often meet candidates with the perfect skillset but without your research, it suggests lack of interest in the company.’ ‘Dress professionally, companies differ on dress code so either check beforehand or err on the side of caution. There is no need to spend additional money on clothes as long as your clothing is neat and clean.’ Cormac Fitzgerald: ‘Do your research, this is vital. You would not go into an exam without first considering what questions may come up on the paper and an interview is no different. An interview is an invite to discuss your skills, behaviours, knowledge, and general compe tency for the role. Practice answering different questions, such as ‘Tell me about yourself’, and ‘Why are you the best person for this position?’ And remember, dress for the job you want -arrive at your interview dressed in a smart manner that is professionally appropriate for the role.’

Your CV has had the desired effect and you have been called for an interview with your prospective employer. What will you need to do to ensure you present yourself, your skills and your experience in the best way possible? Here’s what the experts have to say: learning works

SEPTEMBERNOWAPPLICATIONSOPENFOR2022APPLYONLINEATWWW.KINSALECOLLEGE.IE• Early Childhood Care and Education • Outdoor Adventure Education • Office Administration • Professional Cookery • Sustainable PermacultureHorticulture/ • Multimedia Production • Theatre Performance • Healthcare Support/ Caring for the Elderly • Art • Film & TV Production • English as a second Language QQI/FETACLEVEL5 QQI/FETACLEVEL6 • Early Childhood Care and Education • Outdoor Leadership • Business • Sustainable PermacultureHorticulture/ • Film & TV Production • Multimedia Production • Drama: Advanced Acting Course • Art • Health Services Supervisory Management Green Campus SustainabilitySustainabilityandLeadersLeadersCourses for all ages

Sean Mahon: Try to relax and be yourself. Think about an interview as a two-way conversation for both parties to see if they are right for each other.’ Be on time (even a little early, but not too early). Remember you may be assessed from when you arrive/enter reception etc. If it’s your first job (ie. you don’t have much/ any experience in previous roles) don’t try to bluffUseit.examples from other aspects of your life. For example you may have had a holiday job whilst at college/school or been involved with a charity or fundraising event or a role in your local sports club, think about situations that can illustrate the skills and character that the employer is looking for. ‘Do your homework before the interview, research the company, use their products or services if possible (or at least know what their products and services are and what kind of customers use them). Recruiters can be turned off by a bright candidate who hasn’t bothered to find out information about their organisation before the interview. Have a question or two lined up for the recruiter (who may ask if you have any questions for them, often at the end of the interview). Again, it shows that you have thought about the interview in advance and have taken the time to prepare. Try to make the questions as relevant as possible to the role and the company.

college?Starting

3: LEARN HOW TO COOK While super noodles are a tasty treat, a diet consisting of white dried foods is not sustainable. The weeks and months before you head off to college is the ideal time to start paying attention to whoever does the cooking at home. Ask mum or dad to help you put together a few easy-to-make meals that are also healthy. Having a few greens on your plate won’t kill you but the super noodles might. You might even find some 15/20-minute easy-to-make meals on TikTok and Insta that are not only pictureperfect but tasty too.

Look yourselfafter by Paula Burns For all the freshers out there, here are ten great tips on how to make the move to third level

4: LEARN HOW TO DO LAUNDRY It’s the simple things in life that help us get ahead. Learning how to set a washing ma chine correctly is mundane, however, getting this life hack right is a must. Separating your whites from your colours will help you avoid a fashion faux pas. While you’re getting your hands dirty with the laundry, why not get accustomed to using the hoover and duster too? In student digs there is no magic cleaning fairy. Stick to the mantra of tidy house, tidy mind and you will be at least halfway to adulting the right way.

5: BUDGET This is where the real adulting begins. Living away from home for the first time can be very daunting, especially when the first bill comes through the door. Suddenly you real ise why your parents were turning off all the lights. Start by knowing exactly how much each month you will earn through grants, part-time jobs and bank of mum and dad. From this, take away the important costs first. They should include rent, bills, phone, travel and food. This will be easier to navigate once you have received your first bills. Once the big stuff is paid for the remainder is yours to spend. Though remember, it’s not a target and it’s always more satisfying to have a little left over for a rainy day.

2: JOIN CLUBS College is all about immersing yourself in the whole experience. This is your chance to try out different activities that otherwise would not have been open to you before. Do you fancy being the next big photographer? Or have you always wanted to try kayaking but never had anyone to go with? This is your opportunity to broaden your horizons outside of the lecture hall and dare we say, the student bar. Clubs and societies are also a fantastic way to make friends who have the same interests as you.

1: ATTEND ORIENTATION

Careers & Courses | The Southern Star 6

We all have to begin somewhere. Starting your college life on the right foot will help this new chapter run more smoothly. It may seem pointless, but attending the orienta tion day should top of your list. This is a great way to get a feel of the campus. It’s better to do it in a group setting rather than having to navigate it alone. Remem ber, college campuses are on a much bigger scale than schools. Knowing the campus and where the lecture halls are located, will take some of the pressure off and help with those first-day jitters.

7: STUDY TIMETABLE

Whether you’re heading away for college or just hopping on a bus up the road, this is your first real step into an independent world. Your teachers won’t be there anymore to give you detention if you’re late or to ring your parents if you miss a class. Sounds great, but the reality is that giving into the temptation of missing a lecture here or a tutorial there will only hurt you in the long run, especially at exam time. Independence means being accountable.

The buzz of being away from home, navigating a whole new place and way of life can be intoxicating. Heading away for college is nerve-wracking and exciting all rolled into one. With so much going on you can easily forget about home. As cliché as it sounds, home is where the heart is. Take the time to give the folks a call or your bestie who decided to stay closer to home. New beginnings are amazing but keeping your connection to home will help in times that can be overwhelming. After all there is no place like home.

10: STAY CONNECTED WITH HOME

After the first few weeks of college, you will become aware of your ever-growing read ing list. Lecturers will recommend a stack of books to be added to the original reading list. Some can be borrowed from the college library – remember early bird catching the worm is a saying that matters here – others will need to be bought. To cut costs opting for second-hand books is a definite must. Most campuses have a second-hand bookshop. For those studying arts, your local second-hand shops or book fairs are a good bet too.

The Southern Star | Careers & Courses 7

9: BE ACCOUNTABLE

The college structure is very different to that of secondary school. So many freshers get extra excited at the thought of having only 15 hours of lectures a week. Yeah, it sounds great BUT this is not school. The lectures are more of an overview of the subject. You are given the basis and the onus is on you to research the rest. From the get-go, set a structured study timetable for research and completion of assignments. This will help with deadlines and end of year exams.

8: BOOK BUYING

The first year in college can be a whirlwind of going to lectures, making friends, late nights at the student bar seeping into late wake-up calls leaving little time for eating healthy and exercising. You can still have fun while looking after yourself. Carve out time a couple of days a week to go for a run or a walk. Try to have at least one good meal a day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed don’t suffer the anxiety alone. Talk to a friend or avail of the student support and services available at the college.

6: SELF CARE

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Thinking of further education?

THE West Cork Campus provides a wide range of accredited courses at QQI Level 5 that are delivered in a student-focused and supportive learning environment. As part of an overall rebranding of Further Education & Training, Cork Education & Training Board has renamed many of it’s centres, with the West Cork Campus – now known as ‘Cork College of FET – West Cork Campus’ the Skibbereen branch of Cork College of Commerce in Cork City – now renamed ‘Morrison’s Island Campus’. With highly experienced tutors and excellent resources avail able to students, including up-to-date technology, one-to-one Career Guidance and a Student Support Service for those with particular educational needs, the West Cork Campus is the ideal choice if you want to undertake a one-year programme that equips you with the skills and insight into gaining relevant employment locally or make an informed choice in progression to a degree course. The Work Experience placement that is included in all courses gives students the opportunity to gain valuable application of their skills and the establishment of valuable contacts in local businesses and service providers and the direct recruitment of college graduates. The college has extensive and very valuable progression links to UCC, CIT etc as well as great employment opportunities aris ing out of the QQI qualification.

Why not set your sights locally?

Further Education courses are for everyone, post-leaving cert

Nursing Studies (Level 5) This preparatory course is geared for those who intend to go on to further training for the BSc Degree in Nurse Education either in Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales or abroad. You will be introduced to subjects/topics commonly studied in the first year of the nursing degree programme. Learn about the skills and knowledge of the nursing profession with an emphasis on respect, dignity, empathy and confidentiality. Give yourself the best start for entry to a career in healthcare. Nutrition, Health & Wellness (Level 5) This course offers you the opportunity to learn how to pro mote physical and mental well-being through physical exercise, self-care & relaxation. It examines a variety of physical disci plines that enhance the body and mind. Students learn how to integrate health and wellbeing into their working environments. Awareness of physical & mental health is becoming increasingly important for companies to maintain a content and productive workforce as well as enhancing the life of individuals. Further information is available westcorkcampus.corkcollegeofcommerce.ieon: and information is also available by contacting 028 21644 or emailing westcorkcampus@ccoc.ie or Máire O’Sullivan (Coordinator) maireosullivan@ccoc.ie

students, mature students and individuals who want to make a career change or pursue further study. Once you become a stu dent of the West Cork Campus, a wide range of options become available to you – building your confidence and skills to reach your potential!

Careers & Courses | The Southern Star 8

West Cork Campus in Skibbereen – part of Cork College of FET (Cork’s Further Education & Training Service) – is the ideal place to take your education to the next level

There are a number of new programmes on offer this September including: Accounts Administration (Level 5) If you have a flair for numbers and an interest in working in the financial side of any business office then this is the perfect course for you. Gain expertise in supporting the management of finances in any company environment or be the ‘go to’ person for accounts in the office of a small business.

From the very first day, the atmosphere in the college was that of a family environment. I was anxious about being too old, but our class had a mix of all age groups and we all worked well together. If anyone in the class had any issues or struggles the tutors and students alike offered support. Each and every member of staff was both encouraging and supportive. The course delivery and work experience placement were fulfilling and informative. I learned so much about myself during my time at the West Cork Campus. I enjoyed every minute. I completed my course and received distinctions in each module. This is down to the work our teachers put into teaching the course. I am now employed in a job that I thoroughly enjoy and I owe this to my wonderful teachers. I wish everyone good luck for the next college year 22/23. I miss you all.’ Jude O’Donovan, Healthcare.

‘I completed the Healthcare course in the West Cork Campus in Skibbereen and found it enjoyable, challenging, rewarding, and confidence boosting. The teachers were very knowledgeable, approach able and their strategy of promoting teamwork be tween the students was invaluable. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in becoming a Healthcare Assistant’. Monica Looney,Healthcare

with

Kieran Grace, Business Administration Online

What West Cork Campus students say:

Going back to education for a one-year course in Hairdressing was the best decision I could have made for myself last year!

Aoife Ni Bhroin, Hairdressing

The Southern Star | Careers & Courses

‘I am just so grateful to the West Cork Campus for all their hard work this year and encouraging us all to do our very best. From the teaching staff, to caretakers, they truly made this year something very special that I will forever appreci ate. I’ve made lots of new friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life. I have secured a permanent position as a Clerical Officer in Bantry General Hospital and I could not be more grateful to the college for helping me achieve this’.

‘Returning to education in my 40’s was quite daunting. I had been consid ering the Health Care Course in Rossa College for many years, but always found an excuse to talk myself out of it. My advice to anyone thinking or considering applying for any course is to do it NOW!

Solutions QQI LEVEL 5 Art Accounts Administration Business Administration with Online Solutions Early Learning & Care Hairdressing Healthcare Horticulture Legal Administration Medical Administration Nursing Studies Nutrition, Health & Wellness Psychology & Social Studies QQI Day Courses Commencing September 2022 Visit westcorkcampus.corkcollegeofcommerce.ie for Online Applications For more information, please contact Máire O’Sullivan on 028-21644 or email maireosullivan@ccoc.ie Gain new skills or existingupdateones Path to further study or that ideal jobenvironmentSupportivelearning Courses relevant to local opportunitiesjob APPLY NOW learning works QQI LEVEL 5 Art Accounts Administration Business Administration with Online Solutions Early Learning & Care Hairdressing Healthcare Horticulture Legal Administration Medical Administration Nursing Studies Nutrition, Health & Wellness Psychology & Social Studies QQI Day Courses Commencing September 2022 Visit westcorkcampus.corkcollegeofcommerce.ie for Online Applications Gain new skills or existingupdateones Path to further study or that ideal jobenvironmentSupportivelearning Courses relevant to local opportunitiesjob APPLY NOW CONSIDERING A CAREER IN FARMING or maybe A FARM FROM A RELATIVE not consider? me G r eeen Cer t Farmers (over 23 years) Level 5 - Certificate in Agriculture Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming (Teagasc Green Cert) on the 15th September 2022 details telephone 026 41604

For anyone interested in hairdressing specifically, the salon facilities within the campus itself are modern and bright, and it was a really lovely place to learn. I would recommend anyone with an interest in hairdressing to go for it - it will be a year well spent!

For me, the past year in the West Cork Campus was a major success and definitely worth it. I would describe the course as being absolutely packed with content, and would say to anyone that you will get out of it what you put in. My year there has shown me that the staff are incredibly caring and that they take a personal interest in your experience and success.

Careers & Courses | The Southern Star 10

For most commercial diving, the preferred method is Surface Supplied Diving (SSD), which provides greater protection for the diver, unlimited air supply, and a fully independent back-up supply. Divers with this qualiﬁcation can work on all aquaculture sites as well as inshore civi l engineering projects. To work further top-up programme is required.

Diver Training

The(Inshore).Commercial Scuba course is a prerequisite for SSD. Students learn how to use scuba equipment and simple communication systems in a commercial setting. Divers learn how to work underwater in a range of environments and how to use core tools

EUROPEAN UNION This measure is part-ﬁnanced by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

The SSD course duration is four weeks full time and on successful completion candidates wi ll receive a QQI Level 6 Certiﬁcate: Surface Supplied Diving

Ireland’s EU Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014 - 2020 Co funded by the Irish Government and the European Union

TheunderwaterCommercial Scuba course is five weeks long and on completion candidates receive a QQI Level 6 Certificate: Commercial Scuba Diver Both qualifications are recognised by the HSE UK ensuring international validity and employabi lity. For more information contact: NFCI Castletownbere Phone 027-71230 Mobile 087-2897629 (Shane Begley) Mobile 087-2378471 (Brian Murphy) Email diving@bim.ie Website www.bim.ie

Bord Iascaigh Mhara now provide commercial diver training courses based on international best practice at the National Fisheries & Diving College, Castletownbere Co. Cork. Divers working in Ireland are required to have appropriate training. Depending on the work they do, they must have either a Commercial Scuba or a Surface Supplied Diving qualiﬁcation.

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For more see www.bim.ie or the advert on the preceding page (11).

co-curricular

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Careers & Courses 12

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• Excellence in Learning and

This project got underway in December 2020 and the barge ‘Sandfisher’ was fully refurbished by the Bere Island Boat yard under the watch ful eye of boatyard owner Ger O’Sullivan and launched in September 2021 in time for the The barge measuring 30m by 12m with a two-story bridge, has been fully refitted, galvanised and painted and includes landing steps, electric derricks, drying room, galley, and storage rooms. In order to reduce the carbon footprint of the diving programme, all machin ery has been converted to electric power and a hybrid power management system consisting of a 52-kwh battery coupled with a generator, powers all the barge systems. This has made a significant difference to the noise level on the barge and added greatly to the comfort of the operation. As the generator is only run to recharge the batteries it signifi cantly reduces the run time and associated fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The barge comfortably accommodates the recompression chamber, dive control unit, plant & machinery, with plenty of working space remaining for dive operations and the possibility of adding a launch and recovery system at a later date. Student feedback has been very positive, and the actual delivery of the training programme has been made safer and more comfortable. The BIM diver training barge is also being used as a research & development platform for European projects. The current EU project using the vessel is Sensor Technologies for Remote Environmental Aquatic Monitoring (STREAM). The STREAM project is an Ireland/Wales collaborative project. It brings Swansea University, Halpin Research & Innovation Centre, Munster Techni cal University, Waterford Institute of Technol ogy, and University College Cork, as well as coastal communities, together on both sides of the Irish Sea to improve our understanding of climate change impacts. This improvement is to be achieved by lower ing the cost of estuarine and marine observa tions and accelerating the information provided.

activities & programmes. “Engage, Inspire and

school year, see www.sacredheartclonakilty.ie or download our app “SHSS

BIM hosted the International Diving Schools Association (ISDA) conference this year with delegates from Comercial Diving Schools from around Europe and as far afield as Panama visiting the college and the new dive barge. There was a lot of interest in the BIM diving pro gramme and how it is run and a lot of interest also in the new hybrid energy system employed on the barge.

STREAM is developing sensors capable of providing real-time environmental data and disseminating this data via web portals and mobile applications to organisations responsi ble for protecting and improving Welsh and Irish waters. Data collected will also be shared locally to keep coastal communities informed about the local impacts of climate change.

all

THE BIM National Fisheries and Diving college, Castletownbere, is home to the only col lege offering Commercial SCUBA and Surface Supplied Diving courses in Ireland. Since the re-introduction of commercial diving courses in 2018, the college has provided the aquaculture and inshore diving industries with profession ally qualified divers holding QQI Level 6 Inshore Surface Supplied Diving certification, recog nised by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE UK).The college also offers a wide range of safety training programmes to those working in the seafood sector including Global Maritime Dis tress and Safety System (GMDSS) Radio Com munications, Fishing Certificates of Competen cy, STCW1 (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Fire Fighting, Sea Survival, and First Aid at Work. The aquaculture industry in Ireland has proved resilient over the past two years and it was due to the growing demand for trained commercial divers to support the aquaculture industry that BIM re-engaged in commercial diver training. At the outset, the college purchased a complete International Marine Contractors As sociation (IMCA) specification surface supplied diving system which was deployed on a hired barge in Bantry Bay. The weather conditions in this remote loca tion on the Atlantic seaboard are extremely vol atile especially during the autumn and winter months when the diving programmes are de livered. Calm clear conditions can turn dramati cally into full-blown gale-force winds lashing the barge with hail and rain. Storm conditions need for adequate insulation when working for prolonged periods underwater. Divers leaving at the end of the course are in no doubt as to the realities of life as a com mercial diver, particularly those who choose to work in the wilds of the Irish Atlantic. While the rental barge was fit for purpose, it was not possible for the college to modify it to make it better suited to the developing courses. When the opportunity to acquire a barge arose, it made economic sense to do so and in vest in a refurbishment programme that would better suit the needs of the diving programme and other training courses offered by the col

Take the plunge with BIM in Castletownbere learning continues be Education 1941. Teaching. comprehensive and Curriculum. Leaving for all students to participate and experience wide of and extra-curricular Flourish” more details for school key the 2022-2023 CLON”

Details of classes and enrolment dates to be confirmed. Please keep an eye www.kinsalecommunityschool.ieon for details EveningOpen TuesdaySeptember27th Schedule for the return of classes Thursday 25th August Y6 Friday 26th August Y6 & Y1 S Monday 29th August Y6, Y1, Y3, Y5 Tuesday 30th August Y6, Y1, Y3, Y5, Y2 Wednesday 31st August Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6 Thursday 1st September All Year Groups Sacred Heart Secondary School Clonakilty “Where

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ACTION: Reach out to three people who could help you with your career development.

Finding a mentor can be an invaluable step in career progres sion. Someone who has been in your shoes, walked the steps you are hoping to take, been in a similar role, built a business, knows about your industry or who has a good network, can share advice, tips, feedback and pitfalls to help you on your way to your dream role. This could be someone within your company or an external person who could share a more impartial view.

Many of us are very happy in our jobs but could do with making a few tweaks to make things more enjoyable. Bounda ries are important in all aspects of life, including work. It can be

Communication and networking can play a big part in devel oping your career. If you are in a job and would like to take on more responsibility or advance within the company, talk to your manager or boss and let them know your ambition so that they can keep you in mind for any positions that come up, or at least they might be willing to share guidance and advice on how to get there.Ifyou are hoping to move jobs or are building a business, there’s a lot to be said for who you know. Get out there and talk to people. Go to networking events, chat to people work ing in similar areas, send a friendly email introducing yourself to anyone you would like to work with. We sometimes get so afraid of rejection that we forget that a simple conversation can do wonders for our career advancement.

Nothing says career progression quite like upskilling or doing new courses. Whether you want to completely change career, progress within your own company, move direction within your industry, start a side hustle in something completely new, or just want to work on personal development, doing a course can com pletely change your world. People who continuously upskill and expand their knowledge, will always stand out above the rest when it comes to job interviews or business meetings.

ACTION: What is your unique selling point? How can you show case this in terms of a brand? Update your CV to reflect this.

Personal development & career progression

ACTION: What topic have you always wanted to know more about? What skill could you learn or improve that would ad vance your career? Do a search online for suitable courses and start by doing a free short one to see if it’s something for you.

easier said than done but having a set start and finish time, not checking your phone/emails outside of these hours and taking adequate breaks and time off are essential for that work/life balance.Becoming more efficient with your work schedule, writ ing out to-do lists and checking off the most important tasks first, focusing on the task at hand as opposed to your thoughts running away with what else has to be done, and putting your phone on aeroplane mode so that you have laser focus on what you are doing, can all contribute to making your workday more productive.Havinggood relationships with colleagues or other business owners will contribute to your overall wellbeing. Just having someone there to talk through things with, or to add some laughter into your day is vitally important for our overall happi ness and performance at work. If you work from home or work alone, scheduling in a virtual coffee break with a colleague or meeting a friend or another business owner for lunch will feed into our need for connection and make the darker workdays a bit brighter.Nomatter what our work and life situation is, we’ll all face challenges and stresses along the way, but it is how we deal with these challenges and stresses that will determine how much they affect us. Learn to listen to your body and mind so that you recognise when your stress response has been turned on, regulate this response by getting out of your thoughts, focusing on what is going on in your body and breathing through it, and then when you feel balanced again, you will be better equipped to deal with whatever the issue might be. It’s also a good idea to have someone that you can talk to so that you can process these challenges and stresses fully. As the saying goes, choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. So dream big, put in the work, continue to build on your personal development throughout your journey and your quality of life can exceed all your expectations.

THE first step in your personal development and career journey is to define what success means to you. Some people strive to climb the corporate ladder, to get a corner office, run their own business, or have X amount in their bank account, while some would prefer to have more time and money freedom to enable them to travel more or spend more time with loved ones.

Life is too short to be anything but happy in yourself and your career, writes Niamh Hayes. By developing your self-awareness through personal development work, you can really focus on what it is you want your life and career to look like and so you can begin to achieve that vision

ACTION: Whatever success looks like to you, write it down and keep it close as this should underpin every personal develop ment and career decision you make from here on in. Once success is defined, write down everything you would like to achieve to bring you to this level of success. After all, a goal with out a plan is just a dream, so it’s important to get clear on what you want and what it will take to get there, write it down and keep it close. Now we all know that plans don’t always work out exactly as we envisage but having some sort of life and career roadmap that you can refer to will help to keep you on track on days when you’re unsure of yourself.

In today’s world, building your own personal brand can go a long way in getting you to where you want to go. We are all unique and we all have something different to offer and share with the world and it’s about packaging this as a brand so that when you walk into a job interview or a business meeting, you know exactly who you are, what you stand for and where you want to go. Everything from your CV to your social media sites, to a website can reflect this brand.

ACTION: Write a list of short, medium and long-term career goals.

The Southern Star | Careers & Courses 13

However, Ciarán feels that the industry needs to look at a more balanced work/life attitude for the future.

Springboard + is a government initiative offering free and heavily subsidised courses at certificate, degree, and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employ ment opportunities in the economy.

While MTU has a selection of part-time culinary skills courses they also run a full-time programme covering all aspects of the hospitality sector. For chefs, MTU offers a three-year degree course in Culi nary Arts where students study modules such as Culinary Arts Principles, Larder & International Cuisine, Food Safety, Creativity, IT, Management, Kitchen Design, Wine Appreciation, Operations and Business subjects. Then there is the full-time degree course in Beverage Industry Management. This innovative three-year course (previously titled Bar Management) emphasises a creative, organised and entrepreneurial approach to bar management. A key outcome of all the programmes in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality is a well-educated graduate with the ability to learn and change to meet new challenges in their education and professional development.Forthoseinterested in a more front-of-house career within the hospitality sector MTU offers degree courses in Tourism Management which provides students with the expertise and knowledge needed to become a successful manager or entre preneur in this challenging and exciting industry. This course has a strong emphasis on the broad business, management and marketing subjects complemented with tourism specific modules. Learning is based around class delivered lectures, field trips, practical lab classes, guest speakers, and both group and individual project work.

Careers & Courses | The Southern Star 14

‘In recent months I have seen people who left during Covid beginning to be drawn back slowly. This will take time and some will not return at all ,’ Ciarán said. ‘It is not an industry for everyone but it is a fantastic and re warding career choice for someone who likes change. No day is the same in our job and that’s both the challenge and reward.’

‘The last number of years it was time for an honest assess ment of our industry. It has been a wakeup call in terms of working hours/conditions/pay etc. something I’m doing a lot of work on here at Blue Haven and have been for the last number of years. The old attitude of if your not doing 60+ hours a week you’re not making the effort has to go and it’s a mindset and culture in this industry that goes way back.’

‘At Blue Haven, we have put a lot of plans in place including a Mental health and Wellness programme for our staff that we will be rolling out shortly to show we are a business that cares about ourAtteam.’MTU Dr Murray and his staff are available to guide those who want to explore a career in the hospitality industry.

In Kinsale Ciarán Fitzgerald, Managing Director with the Blue Haven Group feels that the sector has much to offer those con sidering a career in any of the area of hospitality.

Another option is the degree course in Hospitality Man agement offering professional practices associated with the management of areas such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other hospitality venues. Strong practical content in the early years of study, along with graduates’ broad range of knowledge, skills and competencies, have meant that they are a candidate of choice for a variety of organisations. For graduates, there are opportunities to work either in Ireland or abroad and it is not un common for graduates in their twenties to hold senior positions in organisations.‘Therearelots of ways to acquire more training and increase your skill and we realise that the full-time courses may not suit everybody,’ Dr Murray said. ‘But our part-time courses are a great stepping stone to pro gress on to a high level qualification if that’s what you want.’

‘We can arrange a tour of our facilities here at MTU and we have contacts within the industry both at home and abroad to provide support with placements and work experience,’ Dr Mur ray said.

Dr Noel Murray, head of Tourism and Hospitality at MTU says: ‘There is a worldwide search for people to work within the hospitality industry at the moment and the opportunities that exist now and the training available is at a level that was never there‘Forbefore.’example, we run a certificate in culinary skills course that is 90% funded through Springboard where people attend college two days a week and can work around this schedule.’

Tasty opportunities!

The professional cookery course at the Kinsale College of further education is another great option for anyone looking to develop a career in this industry. The course requires no CAO points and offers prospective chefs practical culinary skills including active menu planning and food service in restaurants. Students also have the op portunity to gain a primary certificate in food hygiene. The course runs for one year, four days a week and also offers work placements for students. See www.kinsalecollege.ie for more information.

THERE are major opportunities for excellent careers in all sec tors of the tourism and hospitality industries in West Cork and beyond, with employers working hard to attract and retain staff. And to reinforce and prepare people for a career within the sector there are numerous training opportunities as well as third level courses available.

Another section of the hospitality industry that has more and more opportunities is the leisure, spa and fitness industry.

Hospitality sector employers have been having a difficult time finding staff recently, so for anyone thinking of a career in the industry, now is a good time to get on the ladder to success, writes Brian Moore

BANTRY Credit Union has greatly reduced the interest it charges on education loans, from 7 per cent to 3 per cent. According to the credit union, this is the lowest interest rate charged on education or student loans by any financial institution in the Explainingcountry.the decision, Chairperson of Bantry Credit Union Eddie Mullins said: “The Board of Directors carefully considered this matter over the past 9 months. We were frustrated at not being able to pay a dividend to members for the past two years, for reasons beyond our control. We wanted to give something back to our community in place of the dividend. We decided that investing in the education of our young people by reducing as much as we could the interest we charge on education loans was an appropriate way to do this.”

The credit union always emphasises that it is a communitybased, locally-owned, locally-run and locally-staffed financial services provider. Manager Finbarr O’Shea said the credit union wanted to capture this emphasis in its promotion and awareness campaign for both the education loan offering and the scholar ship scheme. “What better way to do this than to ask the most recent winner of the scholarship to be the face of our campaign.”

When asked why she was willing to be associated with the credit union’s promotion campaign, Ellie said: “My immediate reaction was Yes. I know how important the credit union is to our locality and I am more than happy to support that in any way I can.”Welcoming

Ellie’s involvement as the face of the campaign, Chairperson Eddie Mullins said “We are delighted. Ellie is local. She is one of our own. She represents everything that is good and positive about today’s young generation. And, we believe, the credit union.”

The credit union is already taking applications for its new lowrate education loan. Application Forms for the scholarship will be available from 1 September.

Eddie said the timing of the initiative was particularly appropri ate. He pointed out that 2022 is the 20th year of Bantry Credit Union’s highly regarded annual Third-Level Education Scholar ship Scheme. “We also wanted to mark this milestone year for our scholarship scheme. Investing in the education of the next generation seems a very good way to do this.”

Food for thought ... a rough guide to payscales in the hospitality industry

Ellie Horgan from Letterlickey, Bantry, was awarded the schol arship in 2021. Now studying Medicine at UCC, Ellie is a great role model for today’s young people - though she is far too modest to agree! She combines her third-level studies with voluntary involvement in a range of community and social organisations. Ellie is on the Youth Advisory Council for Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. She also volunteers with ALONE Ireland and is a volun teer crisis counsellor with Crisis Text Line 50808. And Ellie still finds time to work part time as a healthcare assistant.

Bantry Credit Union cuts its rate on education loans

Leisure centre manager €27,000 to €40,000 Spa Manager €40,000 to €60,000 Executive Chef/Head Chef €50,000 to €120,000 for a group Executive. Chef de partie €27,000 to €30,000 de pending on qualifications. Pastry chef €26,000 to €32,000 Waiting staff/kitchen porter €11.50 per hour Bar manager €38,000 to €45,000 Bar staff €11.50 Wedding Co-Ordinator €28,000 to €35,000 Sales executive €38,000 to €40,000

The Southern Star | Careers & Courses 15

Front of house reception €25,000 to €30,000 HR assistant €28,000 to €38,000

There are some truly rewarding careers to be had in this sector, with plenty of opportunities to progress through the ranks, but what’s the money like?

Careers & Courses | The Southern Star Bantry Credit Union Limited Pop in: Bantry or Castletownbere office Phone: 027 50535 Email: loans@bantrycu ie Visit: bantrycu.ie It's a No-Brainer! Student Loans from Bantry Credit Union at 3% interest rate! *Based on a survey in July 2022 of interest rates charged on student loans by credit unions and mainstream banks For a €5,000, over 4 years variable interest rate loan, with 48 monthly repayments of €111, an interest rate of 3%, a representative APR of 3 04% the total amount payable by the member is €5,312 Information correct as at 18/08/2022 Loans are subject to approval Terms and conditions apply If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future Bantry Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Ellie Horgan 2021 Scholarship Winner 3%! Wow! Bantry Credit Union’s lowest loan interest rate ever. And the lowest-rate student loan in the country. Now that's what I call supporting the community!* STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME 2022 marks the 20th year of Bantry Credit Union’s annual scholarship which is worth up to €6,000 over four years! So be sure to follow us on social media to find out more or visit bantrycu.ie