Serving up a treat in Kenmare

KENMARE is the setting for Kerry’s newest state-of-the-art culinary skills centre, which had its opening last Friday in the company of Minister Brendan Griffin TD.

Located in the Kenmare Further Education and Training Centre on Bell Heights, it will enable Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) to deliver a QQI level-six Commis Chef Apprenticeship course in the town.

Given its rich tourism reputation, Kenmare has been considered an apt location for such a facility. “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,” Kerry ETB CEO Colm McEvoy said of the opening.

“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.”

Minister Griffin congratulated Kerry ETB and its partners on the opening, which he said will literally transform lives in giving people the opportunity to work full-time in Kenmare and wider south Kerry while meeting skills shortages in the sector following an increase in visitors to Kerry in 2017 and 2018.

By Don MacMonagle. Con O’Sullivan, Kerry ETB; Director of Further Education Kerry ETB Owen O’Donnell; Shivaun Shanahan, Kerry ETB; Minister Brendan Griffin TD; Simon Regan, chief instructor, CEO Kerry ETB Colm McEvoy; and chef Mike Foley. Photo

Photo by Don MacMonagle. Hotelier John Brennan; Shivaun Shanahan, Kerry ETB; and Kerry ETB CEO Colm McEvoy.