Overview
One Year - 2 days per week for those students who wish to achieve the Regional Tour Guiding Award.
For those students who wish to also achieve additional modules in Business and IT, the course is full-time.
Leads to NFQ Level 6 QQI Special Purpose Award in Regional Tour Guiding (6S20233)
The purpose of this award (which was developed in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland) is to enable learners to acquire the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies to work effectively as a Tourist Guide in the greater Dublin Region and surrounding area. It also provides learners with the necessary business skills needed to start their own tour guiding business.
On successful completion of the course you will be able to:
- Plan and implement themed tour itineraries in Dublin and the surrounding areas
- Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of culture and heritage in Dublin and surrounding areas
- Develop a range of communication, information and customer care skills
- Become confident in using digital media skills to promote tourism products and services to target potential customers
- Manage and conduct tours as a self-employed guide or work for an incoming tour operator
- Implement best safety and environmental practices
- Implement tour management skills and techniques
Entry Requirements
The course is targeted at students who have a genuine interest in working as a Tour Guide. Prior qualifications or experience in this area would be an advantage, but are not required. Since places are limited, applicants will be interviewed. Tour guiding is particularly suited to people who are good communicators, are outgoing and who enjoy interacting with others. Planning and organisational skills are important skills and fluency in a second language is an advantage (but not a requirement).
Progression
Graduates from this course have found employment as Tour Guides on either a full-time or part-time basis in both public and private sector organisations and companies.
Course content:
To achieve the Special Purpose Award in Regional Tour Guiding you will need to pass:
- Irish Tour Guiding
- Irish Natural Heritage and Culture
Additional modules are also available in the following areas (subject to demand and timetabling constraints):
- Entrepreneurship
- Digital Marketing
- Business Management
- Customer Service
- Personal & Professional Development
- Relational Database
- Spreadsheets
- Word Processing
Course Cost:
In response to the cost-of-living crisis, we are implementing a significant reduction in fees for all domestic (EU, EEA, Stamp 4) students undertaking a PLC course in the upcoming academic year. All charges directly related to your QQI qualification, excluding a nominal, non-refundable, registration charge of €50, will be waived. There may be additional costs for entrance fees to certain tourist attractions, museums etc. during the course of the year.
