Trigon Hotels and Cork College of FET host ceremony to recognise graduates

More than a dozen team members from the Cork International Hotel and The Metropole Hotel have graduated from a series of courses to equip them with the skills to progress in their job and reach their full potential. The graduates from the Aspire Programme and Trainee Management Development programme were honoured at a special ceremony at the Metropole Hotel.

The Aspire Programme is run by Cork College of Further Education and Training (FET) under the Skills to Advance initiative. The courses are tailored for Trigon team members who are embarking on their leadership journey right through to senior management. 

Sophie Manning, Michael Murphy, Ian Coughlan and Catherine Halpin completed the 16 week Navigate Programme. It’s aimed at team members who wish to move into a supervisory or managerial role.

The Emerging Leaders programme is a 21 week course for existing supervisors and managers. Graduates are Katriona Hourihan, Marta Marcinkowska, Aideen Power, Sinead Moore and Monika Werner.

A further three team members, Mario Furlan, Chloe Ryan and Diana Bucko graduated from Trigon’s Trainee Management Development Programme.

Managing Director of Trigon Hotels, Aaron Mansworth said, “Supporting our team members to reach their full potential is a key part of our culture. We were delighted to work with Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus under the Skills to Advance initiative to develop the Aspire Leadership Programme.”

Kathleen Linehan, Trigon Hotels’ Strategic Director of HR added, “Providing opportunities for our team members to upskill and to progress in their careers in hospitality is extremely important to us at Trigon Hotels. It’s a proud day to have 13 dedicated colleagues graduate from a range of development programmes. Our team members who have participated in these programs have broadened their skills, knowledge and are more empowered in their roles.  I am looking forward to seeing them continue their career progression within Trigon Hotels”.

“Niamh Gaine, Assistant Manager Cork college of FET- Bishopstown Campus said; “The Aspire and TMDP programmes are fantastic examples of collaboration between Further Education and training (FET) and the hospitality industry under the Skills to Advance training initiative. Cork College of FET provides a pathway for every learner reflecting the Trigon vision of believe, become, belong. By collaborating together, we have created pathways to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders. Congratulations to all the graduates who took the leap of faith and showed the courage to commit to studying while working full time. I want to pay tribute to all of you graduates of the programme for the time and effort you have put in over the last 6 months or so. It takes courage to take on a programme of learning, courage to put yourself in the shoes of a learner again when coming from a position of expertise within your own professional life. And this is the kind of courage we need in our leaders of the future.”

The Aspire Programme is accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), an internationally recognised qualification.

Skills to Advance is a national initiative that provides upskilling and reskilling opportunities to employees in jobs undergoing change and to those currently employed in vulnerable sectors. It aims to equip employees with the skills they need to progress in their current role or to adapt to the changing job market.