National Tour Guiding (RPEL)
Develop the professional, technical, social and administrative skills needed to deliver a professional tour guiding experience. National Tour Guides can work anywhere in Ireland.
| Award Name | Special Purpose Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Special Purpose |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Purpose Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Special Purpose | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
52 weeks
Entry Requirements
-Applicants must be 16+ years of age on entry to the course.
-5 years’ tour guiding experience on the island of Ireland. You will be required to demonstrate evidence of this experience by way of written testimonials, audio and video recordings, dated itinerary documentation and references from clients, tour management and tour guiding partners you worked with.
-Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
-Good numeracy skills.
-Basic computer skills.
-Competent written and spoken English (CEFR B2 or Higher).
-Self-motivated, eager to learn, outgoing and friendly.
-Knowledge of Ireland's geography, tourist product, social and political history is desirable.
-Able to relate to a variety of individuals and groups is desirable.
-Fluency in a second language is desirable.
-A full class B driving licence is desirable.
-Mature applicant route available.
-Garda Vetting is a requirement for this programme and participation is subject to a satisfactory outcome of the Garda Vetting process.
-Non-EU/EEA applicants must have permission to work in Ireland.
Careers / Further progression
What are the employment opportunities?
Participants who successfully complete this course will seek positions as tour guides employed directly or on a freelance basis with tour operators and tour guide companies.
Further information
Commences October 2023
Monavalley, Tralee, Co Kerry
There is an administration fee of €150.00 payable to access the RPEL process. This is paid should you pass the recruitment interview.
Learners on full-time programmes at Kerry College have a number of funding options.
1. DEASP (Department of Employment and Social Protection). Contact your local INTREO office.
2. SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Apply at: www.susi.ie
If eligible, learners may only receive one of these payments while participating on a Kerry College full-time programme.
Learner Allowance
Also known as a Training Allowance.
To avail of a Learner Allowance, an applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying DEASP payment at course start. Allowances/payments are based on attendance and are paid by Kerry College directly to learners for the duration of the course. You may also receive accommodation or travel allowance if you meet the criteria.
Back to Education Allowance
To avail of a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) the applicant must apply directly to the DEASP. BTEA is paid by DEASP directly to learners for the academic year. There is no option to receive any other payment or receive an accommodation or travel allowance.
SUSI Grant
SUSI is a maintenance grant available only for courses that are SUSI approved. Payments are made directly to the learner in the form of grants to cover the academic year.
There is no option to receive any other payment or receive an accommodation or travel allowance. A full-list of eligible course along with details on how to apply is available on SUSI.ie.
No Payment
A learner who is not eligible for Learner Payment, BTEA or SUSI may still apply and participate on any Kerry College course.
Courses for employment offer travel or accommodation support payments, if criteria are met.
Funding towards Travel, Accommodation and Meals
At present, learners on courses for progression do not qualify for travel/accommodation/meal payments. These payments relate only to learners on courses for employment. Learners may receive Travel or Accommodation Allowance - but not both. Your payment will be calculated and processed at course registration.
Travel Allowance
A travel allowance is a contribution towards the learner’s cost of travel based on the distance from the learner’s primary place of residence to the campus location.
To qualify, learners must live more than 3 miles/5km away from the campus location they are attending. Travel Allowances are not payable to participants on Night Training courses.
Accommodation Allowance
An accommodation allowance may be paid to learners who need to relocate in order to attend a course for employment.
To qualify, learners must live more than 20 miles/32km away from the campus location they are attending. For up to date information on this, please see: kerrycollege.ie/learner-information
National Childcare Scheme
The NCS (National Childcare Scheme) provides childcare supports for those on full-time education and training programmes. Full details can be found on the www.ncs.gov.ie webpage.
You may apply via your MyGovID account or contact Kerry County Childcare Committee at 066 718 1582 to discuss which childcare supports are available to you.
Applicant Screening - Admissions Interview
What is the first step?
If you feel you meet the entry criteria Apply Now to be considered for this programme. Our Admissions Team will send to you by email, an RPL application form for you to complete. Your completed application form will be assessed by our expert panel. If successful, you will be called for interview.
What happens at interview?
We have a conversation about your professional background and look to assess if you would make a solid RPEL candidate. The interview lasts about 30 minutes. It would help if you provided on paper a basic mapping of how your last 5 years’ experience links to the learning outcomes on the NTG programme.
We interview all National Tour Guide applicants at the same time. If unsuccessful at the RPEL interview, you have the option of putting your name forward for a place on the full-time Regional or National Tour Guiding Course.
I have passed the interview. What's next?
Successful applicants are assigned an RPL Facilitator who provides general advice about compiling a portfolio of evidence to support your claim for credit for the National Tour Guiding Award.
You will be assigned access to a virtual learning platform for a period of 15 consecutive days, and may also be set additional assessment tasks such as an assignment, interview or test which you’ll submit online.
Your portfolio of evidence to support your claim for credit for the National Tour Guiding Award will be examined by 2 RPEL assessors.
This recognition of prior experiential learning (RPEL) programme is specifically for National Tour Guides with a minimum of 5 years’ experience, providing tour management services and leading bus tours for visitors to Ireland.
What is RPEL?
Recognition of prior experiential learning (RPEL) is an evidence-based process used to evaluate the skills and knowledge you have previously acquired and have it accredited.
Previous, relevant skills and knowledge acquired in your work role, aka ‘prior learning’ is assessed against the learning outcomes of a particular education or training programme. Credit toward an award is granted on the basis of evidence of meeting the learning outcomes. Usually, this means credit for certain parts of the award, but in some cases, it can also mean the granting of credits for a full award.
Kerry College offers an RPEL pathway for eligibility for a full award in National Tour Guiding. You don’t attend any classes. Instead, you produce a portfolio of evidence to support the claim for credit for the award. If successful, you will be put forward for a certificate in National Tour Guiding.
But first, you must satisfy the entry criteria.
Special Purpose Award Certificate in National Tour Guiding (6S20232)
CERTIFICATION
Irish National Heritage & Culture (6N20231)
Irish Tour Guiding (6N20229)
National Tour Management (6N20230)
QQI Level 6 Special Purpose Award Certificate in National Tour Guiding (6S20232)
** Employment-Focused Course
If getting a job is your priority, browse our employment focused courses. These courses help build job ready skills to increase your chances of finding work. Qualifications are offered at QQI Level 5 and Level 6 but also a range of professional and industry-led certifications.
Contact the Kerry College Admissions Office on 066 714 9696 or info@kerrycollege.ie