https://www.rikon.ie

Fáilte Ireland Tourism Learning Networks

Project Team: Dr. Anthony Foley ([email protected]), Ms. Anne-Marie Frampton ([email protected]), Dr Denis Harrington ([email protected]), Dr Mary T. Holden ([email protected]), Ms. Jennie Hussey ([email protected]), Dr. Felicity Kelliher ([email protected]), Ms. Shirley Kingston ([email protected]),Dr. Patrick Lynch ([email protected]), Ms. Josephine Matthews ([email protected]), Ms Catherine Murphy ([email protected]), Ms. Martha McIlvenny ([email protected]), Mr. Noel Murray ([email protected]), Dr. John Power ([email protected]), Dr. Leana Reinl ([email protected]), Ms. Aoife Walsh

This project was funded by Fáilte Ireland. It had a lead time of four years, and commenced in January 2006.

The Project Aim:

The Tourism Learning Network (TLN) concept emerged from Fáilte Ireland’s Human Resource Strategy for Irish Tourism 2005-2010, which identified the challenges faced by tourism enterprises when trying to access training and further development opportunities. Challenges include the disruption associated with course attendance or sourcing a training programme tailored to particular business needs. To address these identified challenges Fáilte Ireland, in consultation with key industry representative and educational bodies, devised the concept of Tourism Learning Networks, to support the transition from a primarily training focused approach to an action orientated network learning environment which would facilitate the sustainable development of key capabilities across participating organisations and communities. The WIT School of Business had responsibility for developing and implementing the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Learning Networks in the south east and south west, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, and working with Cork Institute of Technology.

Methods:

The Small Firm Learning Model was developed by the project team and this guided the design of the TLN programme. A professional delivery team was established, with significant project management and learner focused development capabilities, which significantly impacted on the implementation of the programme. The Certificate in Tourism Business Practice was developed to provide an appropriate qualification framework for participants in the TLN programme in the south east and south west. The primary aim of the Certificate in Tourism Business Practice was to facilitate the development of key business capabilities in Irish tourism service providers, and ultimately to enhance competitive advantage for the individual business – and the Irish tourism product.

Engagement Activity:

During the twelve month programme, the participant had an opportunity to receive a minimum of 35 learning interventions delivered and support by an expert panel of facilitators and trainers.

Impact:

A total of 540 businesses participated on the programme during the period 2006-2009, 300 of these have been awarded a Certificate in Tourism Business Practice. A number of masters/doctoral students were attached to the project, and contributed greatly to expanding the research base on learning networks, and tourism destination management. Participant businesses benefited from enhanced managerial competencies and skill-sets, and from the advantages of networking, which in this programme has been found to include cross referrals, cooperative marketing, enhanced business practice and connections.

The programme received a number of nominations and awards, including the Taoiseach’s Public Service Award, Irish Institute of Training and Development, Irish Internet Association. The success of the collaboration resulted in the recognition, by Fáilte Ireland, of the opportunity to progress the professionalization of the industry further through the development of a Fáilte Ireland BSc in Small Enterprise Management. RIKON was awarded the contract to develop the degree in 2009. The degree was validated in June 2010.

RIKON 2013.