Students gain experience and build future talent
Work placements give students practical industry experience, helping them build skills, confidence and a clearer understanding of career opportunities in tourism.
Transition Year Work Experience Programme
The Transition Year Work Experience Programme connects tourism and hospitality businesses with students to offer meaningful, short‑term work experience that builds skills, sparks interest in tourism careers, and supports the future workforce of the sector.
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Hosting a placement: key details
- Open year-roundPlacements can take place throughout the year, depending on school and employer arrangements.
- For Transition Year and Senior Cycle studentsThe programme helps students explore careers in tourism and hospitality through workplace experience.
- Linked to the school curriculumPlacements are unpaid and designed to support Transition Year and Senior Cycle learning.
- Free resources includedEmployers and students can use free guidance and resources to plan and complete a placement.
Building future tourism talent
Businesses receive structured support
A clear placement framework and practical guidance help businesses provide valuable experiences while building stronger connections with emerging tourism talent.
What's in it for you?
Building links with local schools is a low-cost recruitment channel and a strong introduction for school leavers to the sector.
Students discuss their placements widely; a positive experience builds awareness of your business.
Many employers report that work placements are an effective way to raise the profile of careers in their organisation.
Hosting a placement starts online
Businesses register placements through TourismCareers.ie, where students can search and apply for opportunities directly.