Ahead of Donegal College of Further Education and Training’s Open Week, from 20th–22nd October 2026, we’re shining a spotlight on learners who have turned their training into new skills, exciting experiences and career opportunities.
Donegal’s mountains, lakes and coastline are the classroom for a unique traineeship that turns a passion for adventure into real career opportunities.
Hannah Fidgeon is one of the intrepid students who has experienced that first-hand, moving from Cavan to complete the Outdoor Sport and Recreation Traineeship at Gartan.
The course is delivered by Donegal College of Further Education and Training, formerly known as Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training Service.
Hannah, 23, has enjoyed a year of watersports, orienteering and practical outdoor instructor training, including an Erasmus+ funded placement in France which she describes as “an unforgettable experience”.
She completed the programme in August 2026 and has since secured part-time work as an outdoor instructor at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre.
Hannah began the programme with limited experience, having never been kayaking and without even owning a wetsuit.
Twelve months later, she graduated with a range of internationally-recognised qualifications and her first role in the industry.
Hannah’s interest in outdoor recreation sprouted from her family’s campsite business in Cavan. Her uncle offered paddleboarding and kayaking on the nearby lake, and she helped him whenever she could.
Hannah had also spent time travelling abroad before deciding to commit to a year of practical training at Gartan.
The range of watersports available at Gartan, 15 minutes outside Letterkenny, helped her choose Donegal over another course in the south of the country
Since then, she’s come to love Donegal as a place to study and to work.
“There’s nothing like it up here. I’ve decided to stay on for another couple of months because I really do love it up here,” she said.
The full-time, 47-week Outdoor Sport and Recreation Traineeship equips students to safely lead water and land-based activities, apply rescue and first aid procedures, operate boats and specialist equipment, and develop strong communication, teamwork, leadership and personal effectiveness skills.
Hannah was one of 12 students in the class of 2026, with ages ranging from 18 to 62.
“There was a lot of different learning from different people,” Hannah said.
“It was nice to help guide the younger people as well because they had left school just the year before.
“It was really important to have a good team behind you to keep lifting you and keep you going on the days when you felt like you couldn’t.”
“There were definitely a couple of those days,” she admits.
The trainees spent around 85% of the course outdoors, with the sheltered setting at Gartan allowing activities to continue through Donegal’s wild Atlantic weather.
“There was no weather that really stopped us from going out,” Hannah said.
Classroom sessions formed a smaller but important part of the course. Students learned about weather systems, teaching methods and how different people learn.
They then applied that knowledge while developing their coaching and instructing skills.
Hannah said the demanding days helped her discover strengths she did not know she had.
“Mentally, it takes a lot of strength to get up and keep going every day. But we had so much fun as well, going sailing on the lake in the strong winds,” she said.
“If anything, it’s a good challenge for yourself as well. You push yourself past what you perceive to be your limits.”
Instructors Barry and John also became important mentors throughout the year.
“The team who worked in Gartan were unbelievable,” Hannah said.
“Barry and John would help you with anything inside or outside the course. They’re real mentors, they were brilliant,”
Donegal became an extensive training ground for the group.
The trainees went kayaking around Owey Island and Cruit Island, launched from Burtonport and visited Marble Hill, Downings, Mevagh and Malin Head. They also spent six weeks learning kayak skills in the swimming pool in Downings.
A funded Erasmus+ trip to southern France in April gave them the opportunity to apply their skills in a completely new environment. Their days were filled with hiking, climbing, traversing, and abseiling.
“It was just an amazing experience,” Hannah said.
“We got to paddle down the Ardèche River. We went abseiling and did the via corda. We went mountain biking and caving.
“It really pushed you out of your comfort zone as well and put all your skills to the test.”
Hannah Fidgeon puts her outdoor skills into practice during the Erasmus+ experience in France.
The trip also allowed Hannah to meet people working in tourism abroad and discover where her new qualifications could take her.
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Students who complete the traineeship achieve a QQI Level 5 award alongside a range of industry-recognised qualifications.
The programme has helped Hannah gain National Governing Body certification with Canoeing Ireland in kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and dinghy instruction, along with safety boat and powerboat licences.
“I know a lot of people do smaller courses on their own, but I think it was better for me to get fully stuck in,” Hannah said.
Hannah hopes to build a career that will allow her to work outdoors while travelling and experiencing new places.
“Personally, I want to travel and immerse myself in the place that I’m travelling to, not just go and get stuck in an office or work behind a bar,” she said.
“I’d like to be out exploring. This is my foot in the door now, hopefully, to build up my experience from here on out and keep going, ticking off little boxes along the way.”
Hannah Fidgeon and Churchill man Ray McDermott, who also completed the traineeship, during their Erasmus+ trip to France.
In preparation for future employment, the traineeship included eight weeks of work experience and gave students support with preparing CVs, cover letters and contacting prospective employers.
Hannah divided her placement between a privately operated outdoor centre in Cork and an outdoor education and training centre in Achill.
“I really enjoyed the split and getting to see two different places and how they were run,” she said.
Some of Hannah’s classmates later returned to their placement centres to take up full-time roles.
Hannah approached Gartan before completing the traineeship to ask whether any casual or temporary work would be available.
Her initiative paid off and she is now gaining valuable experience at the same centre where she trained.
Gartan welcomes residential groups and creates programmes combining water and land-based activities. Hannah’s working day varies from canoeing and kayaking as well as archery, climbing and orienteering.
Hannah continues to learn from colleagues at the centre every day, many of whom have more than 20 years of experience.
“It’s really well run and everyone knows what they’re doing,” she said.
“There’s no problem asking questions or getting a hand with anything. They’re very good at coaching you as you go along.”
Hannah has now applied to upskill again by doing Donegal College’s Bus Driving with Tourism Visitor Care course.
She is working towards her provisional category D licence and hopes a bus licence will add another valuable skill to her CV. The qualification would be a major advantage when applying for roles with outdoor activity and tourism centres.
Hannah also highlighted the financial assistance available through Donegal College.
“For people who think it isn’t going to be affordable, there are funding options through the social welfare payments,” she said.
“For someone like me, who had to move and rent, a funding allowance was a massive help as well.”
Possible low-cost or no-cost options may be available depending on individual eligibility.
Students also receive subsidised outdoor equipment, including wetsuits, buoyancy aids and booties, which they could keep after completing the course.
Hannah believes the traineeship could be an ideal option for school leavers as well as people hoping to change direction or develop new skills.
“I think if you were coming out of school and weren’t sure where to go, this would be a perfect course to do. It’s great craic and you gain transferable skills, including leadership, communication and all those soft skills. They can be transferred into anything,” she said.
Donegal College Open Week
Interested in finding out more? Discover the opportunities available at Donegal College of FET during Open Week, from Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd October 2026.
Meet tutors, explore courses and learn about progression pathways at three special events in Letterkenny:
Tuesday 20th October: Ballyraine Campus Open Evening, 6pm–9pm. Booking required.
Wednesday 21st October: College Showcase, Radisson Hotel, 10am–2pm. No booking required.
Thursday 22nd October: Port Road Campus Open Evening, 6pm–9pm. Booking required.
Whether you’re leaving school, upskilling or considering a career change, come along and discover your next step.
Book your Open Evening place here: donegalcollegeopenweek.eventbrite.ie
Tá Cúrsaí Oiliúna arna gcomhchistiú ag Rialtas na hÉireann agus an Aontas Eorpach. Traineeships are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. #EUinMyRegion
