Industry internship can potentially offer you culinary arts student learners, these students are hungry to obtain invaluable real-world employment experience. Coming from a broad range of professional culinary establishments/ industries; they often are interested in and appreciative of artisan/ primary production techniques. Internship, in many respects, is an opportunity to engage with the foodies, would-be purchasing chefs, bakers and foodservice professionals of tomorrow, right now.

This initiative aims to support sustainability and growth in the Irish food industry through supporting our primary producers and artisans/ craftspeople ethically for all participants. Internship offers an ability to develop career interests, insights, and practical skills in a well-structured supervised authentic learning environment. This collaboration can build value and a sense of food patriotism as well as a positive feedback loop throughout our entire industry; both long term and well beyond COVID.

How culinary students could benefit you through a collaborative structured Internship.

• They are supported by their TU Dublin tutors, and already trained in general food handling skills/ principles.
• Students already have worked in or undergone the commensurate training to work in the food industry
• Any student on placement in Ireland is insured by TU Dublin. In addition, they are supported and mentored by food industry professionals who already know the industry
• Students are in the main food industry ready and already have a passion for it.
• Engaging with them; means they become future customers who appreciate your offering/ value proposition.
• Additionally, they also can support your businesses as they transition from third level education to employment.
• This means you can engage with individuals focused on professional career development in the food industry.

The internship is a three-way agreement with the student, TU Dublin, and employers. Students are assessed within this module under the guidance of an academic lecturer and the student’s industry mentor. Students need to meet the required standards of the internship through professional industry performance and a range of other activities supported by the university.

In past years students have completed their internships with artisan producers, small culinary businesses and new product development as well as the more traditional and established foodservice/ hospitality industry.

In many cases, successful internships can lead to ongoing full or part-time employment through satisfied mentors who seek to retain students who have undergone training in their establishment.

Duration varies for each programme; we recommend that students are offered either out of pocket expenses or a paid role, however, this is also an exceptional period for the food industry. NB: The student negotiates their rate with industry partners; this depends on the year on the course and previous experience. Some students in acquiring more bespoke or valuable expertise may choose to forego remuneration to gain valuable experience when working with an expert/ craftsperson. In these situations, invaluable professional experience is the reward, and these internships may be unpaid.

Internship Overview