GreenTechHQ & UCC Launches Diploma in Speciality and Artisan Food Enterprises in the South‐East

Flagship University College Cork programme to be showcased at ‘The Business of Wexford Food’, hosted at The Food Studio @ GreenTechHQ

University College Cork has announced that its Diploma in Speciality and Artisan Food Enterprises – a Level 7, 60‐credit university qualification delivered by UCC’s Food Industry Training Unit – was formally showcased to the South‐East food sector this week as part of the inaugural ‘Business of Wexford Food’ event at The Food Studio @ GreenTechHQ in Enniscorthy.

The Diploma is one of Ireland’s most established routes for artisan and speciality food entrepreneurs into a recognised university qualification. Its arrival in the South‐East – promoted directly to producers, chefs, hoteliers and Agri‐Food businesses – reflects growing demand from the region for accessible, high‐quality food enterprise education.

A Level 7 University qualification, 64% State funded

The UCC Diploma in Speciality and Artisan Food Enterprises is a part‐time programme delivered over one academic year. Designed for people starting a speciality or artisan food business from the farm home or small production unit – and for those scaling an existing food business – it provides a wide‐ranging education across all areas of food production, including food science, food culture, technology, management, marketing, food safety, and the impact of food production on the environment.

Participants benefit from HACCP certification, training in business and marketing planning, digital marketing and on‐line retailing, sensory taste testing and financial record keeping. They engage directly with artisan and speciality food producers through site visits, field trips, guest lectures, workshops and practical demonstrations led by experienced trainers and technicians.

Delivery is a blend of mostly live on‐line teaching combined with several face‐to‐face classroom sessions, typically scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays every two to three weeks from October to May. Performance is assessed on a continuous basis. On successful completion, candidates are awarded a Diploma in Speciality & Artisan Food Enterprises (60 credits, NQF Level 7) by University College Cork.

Crucially, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will fund 64% of the €2,800 fee for eligible applicants, making the Diploma an exceptionally accessible route to a recognised university qualification. The fee includes full tuition, all course materials and refreshments.

Clair Hoare, Programme Manager at UCC’s Food Industry Training Unit, said the South‐East represents a natural growth audience for the programme. Graduates have already gone on to launch and scale recognisable Irish artisan brands – from Bó Rua Farm Cheddar and Seymours Irish Biscuits to Naked Bakes, Good Fortune Cookies, La Tradizione and Malay Kitchen. “The Diploma was the first step in my journey to realising my dream of diversifying our dairy farm into farmhouse cheese production,” said Norma Dinneen of Bó Rua Farm Cheddar. “The course is a must for anyone starting up or developing an artisan food business.”

APPLICATIONS

Applications and registration

Applications for the next intake of the UCC Diploma in Speciality and Artisan Food Enterprises are open - please email Ian.Mernagh@greentechhq.com For further information and registration