The Irish Whiskey Association, the trade association representing the Irish whiskey sector on the island of Ireland, has announced a scholarship opportunity with Maynooth University (MU) on its Brewing and Distilling micro-credential.
The association will sponsor one place on this micro-credential, which aims to equip learners with the necessary scientific knowledge and instrumentation competencies to develop skills relevant to the alcoholic drinks industry.
"Our micro-credential course in Brewing & Distilling Science is both co-designed and co-delivered by industry experts and academics at MU and was created in response to the strong demand for an analytical course to support the growing Irish craft brewing and traditional whiskey industries," said Professor Denise Rooney, from the Chemistry Department at MU, contributor to the micro-credential course.
"Comprising of online lectures, tutorials and virtual lab simulations, this micro-credential course will be run over a 12-week period including a practical experience in Maynooth University’s modern labs."
Meanwhile, the Irish Whiskey Association has also called on the incoming government to provide additional supports to the third-level institutions offering courses in the brewing and distilling sector to ensure their positive continuation and a further strengthening of the industry.
The association has requested further support from the incoming Minister for Higher Education, once government formation has been finalised, along with greater emphasis on promoting 'home-grown opportunities' for the sector.
"Recent reports on the value of the Irish drinks sector show that it now easily exceeds €2 billion, and there are now around 10,000 people directly employed in brewing and distilling in Ireland," said Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the Irish Whiskey Association. "The strength of the sector, however, increases the demand for skills and expertise among our drinks producers."
