Walsh Whiskey and Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet

The Challenge: Accessing postgraduate education through non-traditional pathways  

Co Carlow based Walsh Whiskey has been recognised internationally for its range of premium Irish whiskey, which the company has been producing since 1999. When Miriam Dempsey, the company’s Logistics Manager, approached Walsh Whiskey with the idea of pursuing a masters degree, in Supply Chain Management at South East Technological University, the leadership team saw it as a tremendous opportunity. 

Bernard Walsh, Chief Executive Officer at Walsh Whiskey, firmly believes in the power of investing in people. “We strongly believe in investing in our people, and that’s not just the environment that they work in, but their career,” he said. 

For Miriam, accessing a masters programme as a mature student posed a significant challenge, however. “The access requirements were quite academic,” Miriam recalled. “I needed at least a Level 8 degree to enrol, which I hadn’t completed.” 

Programmes like the RPL open up so many more avenues for people. I would say absolutely go after it, pursue it, talk to your employers, get their support and really go after what you believe in and what you want to do

John Griffen, Finance & Supply Chain Director, Walsh Whiskey

The Solution: Recognition of Prior Learning 

Seeking an alternative enrolment route, Miriam turned to her local Skillnet Business Network, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet for support. Ashling Ward, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet Network Manager, played a pivotal role in identifying that Miriam could earn a place on the masters programme through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway and guiding her through the process.  

“I helped identify some of the training programmes that would be of benefit to her and explained the RPL process as a possible option to gaining access to the masters programme,” Ashling explained. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a significant element in providing accessible education and training to meet the needs of the Irish workforce. The Irish government, academic institutions and industry, are increasingly focused on RPL to recognise skills acquired through work and life experiences, which aligns with the Skillnet Ireland focus on lifelong learning. Ireland’s approach to RPL aims to enable individuals, particularly those already in the workforce, to attain formal qualifications that align with their professional experiences and skills. This is especially important in the context of upskilling and reskilling efforts, given Ireland’s rapidly evolving job market.

Through the RPL process, Miriam’s extensive professional experience was assessed and validated, creating an academic framework that recognised her industry knowledge. 

One of the most daunting aspects of the masters programme for Miriam was academic writing. Initially, she had concerns about her ability to meet the academic standards. However, the college provided substantial support, including one-to-one tuition on academic writing, lectures, and guest speakers. This support was crucial in helping Miriam overcome her initial doubts. 

Outcome: A win-win for everybody 

Miriam's hard work and dedication paid off as she graduated with a first-class honours. This accomplishment was a significant milestone for her and a testament to the impact of the RPL initiative. Bernard Walsh praised Miriam's achievement, highlighting the mutual benefits for both the individual and the company, saying: “This was a win-win for everybody. Not only did it allow Miriam to step outside the business and gain new insights, but she also brought back valuable ideas that benefited the company. And to top it all off, she achieved a first-class honours degree—an incredible accomplishment.” 

Miriam said, “getting a first-class honours in the masters was a huge result for me” and she encourage others to explore the educational pathways available to them through RPL. “I think it’s a great chance to exchange your experience for access,” she added. 

This sentiment was echoed by John Griffen, Finance & Supply Chain Director, at Walsh Whiskey. “Programmes like the RPL open up so many more avenues for people. I would say absolutely go after it, pursue it, talk to your employers, get their support and really go after what you believe in and what you want to do,” he said.