National Tour Guiding (6S20232 QQI Level 6 Special Purpose Award) is aimed at people who have a keen interest in heritage, culture, history and traditions of Ireland and their local areas with an enthusiasm for sharing this with others.
This course will provide you with the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies to provide a variety of guiding experiences to visitors in a safe and professional manner in accordance with relevant statutory guidelines. On successful completion of the course, you will receive the National Tour Guiding Badge (white) and be included in the Fáilte Ireland Industry Qualified Tour Guide Directory. You will be ideally placed to source employment or self-employment in a number of guiding and responsible tourism related sectors.
Achill VTOS is located in An Corrán, Achill, in the heart of the Gaeltacht, along the Wild Atlantic Way and beside the Great Western Greenway. Achill has a well-established tourism industry, blue flag beaches, spectacular mountains and a particular focus on ecotourism and the outdoors. It has a rich heritage, history and culture and its unique light and dramatic landscape has attracted painters, photographers, writers, artists and outdoor enthusiasts for centuries. It is also unrivalled in its diversity of ecosystems, habitats and cultures to explore and learn about. Corrán, Achill is an ideal location to study and upskill during the off-peak season in this unique place.
As part of the course, we also visit other areas in County Mayo and beyond for field trips, training and guiding opportunities. For example, this year we visited heritage, cultural, ecological and archaeological sites throughout Mayo as well as Kilmovee, Tulsk, Conemara, Derry, Antrim Coast, The Giant’s Causeway and Clare Island, Inisturk, Inis Gés and Rathlin Island.
Participants can also apply to the Erasmus Programme to travel abroad: accommodation, travel and living expenses covered.
A work placement in a related field will be an integral part of the programme.
Module 6N20229 – Irish Tour Guiding
Module 6N20230 – National Tour Management
Module 6N20231 Irish Natural Heritage and Culture
For further information on this award go to: http://www.qqi.ie//sites/docs/AwardsLibraryPdf/6S20232_AwardSpecifications_English.pdf
In addition to qualifying as a National Tour Guide, you can gain additional accreditation and skills in other related areas. These include:
This course will include classroom-based learning, as well as regular field trips, site visits, guest speakers and workshops from regulatory bodies, Local Agencies/Service providers as well as other relevant tour operators and industry experts.