Design Craft Council of Ireland Applauds new Waterford Craft & Design Businesses at the
Waterford VTOS (WWETB) Annual Awards Ceremony.
Enterprise, supporting local employment and recycling were very much to the fore at the recent Waterford VTOS (WWETB) annual Awards Ceremony in the Tower Hotel, 15 November 2018. Guest graduates speakers on the night were Majella Kervick of “Mise” jewellery design and Marianne Heaphy of the “The Revamp Tramp” who upcycles furniture and gives workshops on recycling on a budget. Their work was exhibited on the night together with another Waterford VTOS, jewellery designer Mary Maxey of “Golden Hat”. John Tynan, Education, Training and Development with the Design, Craft Council of Ireland celebrated the nurturing of local design and craft business by Waterford VTOS and the Waterford Local Enterprise Office.
Another Waterford Design success story, “The Irish Handmade Glass Company” was once again the kind sponsor of the Best Student Award. This year’s recipient for 2018 was Britney Walker, a QQI Level 5 Interior Design graduate, was presented with an exquisite hand blown vase by the Mayor and John Tynan.
The Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Declan Doocey presented certificates to the successful graduates and commended the achievements of students. In all, 85 students received QQI awards. 2018 has also been a successful year for our graduates who have progressed on to employment, further education as well as setting up their own businesses. Guest speakers, Pat Scahill, a Business Administration graduate, is an Assistant Supervisor on the Ballybeg Community Employment Scheme. Majella Dunne, a Craft graduate, is pursuing further craft training with the renowned Grennan Mills.
Waterford VTOS offers QQI Level 5 accredited courses in Information Processing, Business Administration, Interior Design, Creative Craft and Fashion Design and Sewing Skill. Over the years, many of our graduates have progressed to further education, training and employment in areas as diverse as Social Care, Nursing, Administration, Accounting, Marketing, Teaching and the Fine Arts.