TCH: 25 receive journalism diplomas
Now in its sixth year, TCH’s 12-month HETAC- accredited programme is unique in the level of hands-on experience it delivers to young journalists.
The course has produced 120 graduates with a further 22 enrolled for this year.
The student body is a mix of external applicants and existing staff seeking to upgrade their skills.
TCH group managing director Anthony Dinan congratulated all 25 of this year’s successful graduates.
“This is the sixth year of the programme, which is going from strength to strength. I would like to thank the many organisations who have put on press conferences for our students, and Judge Uinsin MacGruairc who welcomed our students in his court.
“This year, we received more than 100 top-quality candidates applying for 11 external places. Thus far, we have given full-time employment to 41 graduates from outside the company, while several of those who were already with the company have been promoted as a result of their studies.”
On foot of the success of the journalism programme, TCH last year added a HETAC-accredited Level 7 BA in Sales to its course calendar.
TCH group training manager Michael O’Mahony said the company had a long-term commitment to the training and personal development of staff.
“The company encourages employees to avail of training opportunities,” said Mr O’Mahony. “We are developing people so that our readers benefit from the highest possible standards in journalism.”
HETAC chief executive Séamus Puirséil noted that Ireland recently topped a Europe-wide stocktaking process of how higher education courses meet changing workplace needs.
“TCH has played a pioneering role... and some of its competitors are now following that lead.”
Roscommon Herald deputy editor Máiréad O’Shea was yesterday named TCH Student of the Year while Sligo Weekender journalist Niamh Mullen won the inaugural Walter McGrath Perpetual Trophy.
This year’s Irish Examiner journalism graduates included Eoghan Sweeney, Irene Feighan and Conor Ryan.
