Dalata Hotel Group |

Can you tell us about the Dalata Graduate programme and your experience with this programme?

The Graduate Programme, for me, has been more than a pace setter in my hospitality career journey. Starting as an Ops Grad and moving into Finance has been enormous experience.

The program has given me vast understanding and great insight in the hospitality business. The training sessions- both online and in person-were of such great value in preparing me for what was ahead.

The transferrable skills harnessed from this journey have been ones I would always value. I also loved the travels to Ireland and learning from different people. Overall, the graduate was very enlightening.

What is the most interesting project you have been involved in since you joined?

I would say the Graduate innovation project. Working as a team with colleagues from different streams, did not only enhance our teamwork skills but also opened some great personal development for me. In terms of presentation, communication, etc. My team winning the competition was another level for me 😊

What is your favourite part of your job?

The Team work.

What prompted you to apply for the Dalata Graduate Programme?

In my final weeks during my master’s program in Manchester, I happened to find myself at a career fair by my department after a lecture. There were many companies present, but one way or the other, I was drawn to Dalata. Asked some few questions about the program and I said to myself why not give this a try. The interest I believe came from my background, as my family has been into baking and offering Catering services way back in Ghana. I was ready to move it to a different level of experience. I must say, I have never regretted this decision.

What was your experience of the Dalata Graduate recruitment process?

This was one of the smoothest I had ever experienced with regards to recruitment processes. There was not struggle for me. It was swift and straightforward.

Have you any tips for someone else thinking of applying to the Dalata Graduate Programme?

I would say just go for it, give it your all and you will get the best outcome and experience.

Always remain focused and ready to embrace changes as the hospitality space is not static.

If you have already completed the graduate programme

Please give a brief overview of your journey since completing the graduate programme, including your current job title

I completed the Grad program in March 2024. I then moved straight into Assistant Financial Controller role as Maternity Cover in Clayton Hotel Chiswick. Six months into the role I took the opportunity to apply for AFC in the newly built Maldron Hotel Liverpool. I got the role, and I am now the permanent AFC for Maldron Liverpool. I have also enrolled and keep learning to write my ACCA. I owe all this to the Graduate program.

Can you tell us about the Dalata Graduate programme and your experience with this programme?

The Dalata Graduate Programme is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to build a career in hospitality. It offers hands-on training across various departments, including front office to food and beverage to sales and marketing, allowing graduates to explore their interests and develop essential skills alongside experienced Managers in the hotel. Graduates get to undergo a “20 Day Journey” which allows them to be placed into each department of the hotel for 1-2 days to shadow and see for themselves how it is run.

Graduates benefit from mentorship and training events and a strong focus on teamwork and leadership, which prepares them for real-world challenges. From my experience and speaking to others about it, the programme plays a key role in boosting confidence and career growth and is definitely worth doing.

What is the most interesting project you have been involved in since you joined?

One of the most rewarding projects I've been involved with was when I was asked to support the HR Manager at Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American. It was a fantastic opportunity that allowed me to expand my skills while contributing to the success of the newly acquired Clayton Hotel in Amsterdam. I played an active role in supporting various HR initiatives, including employee engagement, recruitment, and administrative tasks, all while working closely with a dynamic team and learning about life and culture in the Netherlands.

The project stands out as one of the best because it not only gave me the chance to develop new competencies but also deepened my understanding of hotels being acquired and the work that goes on behind the scenes. It was also amazing to get the opportunity to travel to other countries and see the opportunities the hotel group has regarding new builds and acquisitions. The experience of collaborating with professionals in a fast-paced, multicultural environment was invaluable, and I take pride in how my contributions helped streamline HR processes and foster a positive working atmosphere.

What is your favourite part of your job?

I really enjoy the challenge of recruiting top talent, onboarding new hires, and watching them grow in their roles. I enjoy meeting new starters on their first day, some of them nervous, and putting them at ease and having a chat and a coffee. It's incredibly fulfilling to see how my efforts in recruitment, training, and development translate into improved guest experiences and employee satisfaction.

What prompted you to apply for the Dalata Graduate Programme?

I have a strong foundation in the hospitality industry, having earned a degree in Hospitality Management from Munster Technological University, which allowed me to gain hands-on experience working in smaller hospitality establishments. This experience gave me a deep appreciation for the importance of delivering excellent service and creating positive guest experiences. However, over time, I developed a growing interest in the people side of the business, particularly in how effective HR practices can shape both employee satisfaction and guest outcomes.

I then pursued a Higher Diploma in HR at University College Cork. This program allowed me to deepen my knowledge of HR principles. I’ve always wanted to marry these two areas together—hospitality and human resources—and I saw the Dalata Graduate Programme as the perfect opportunity to further develop my skills in both fields. Dalata also wants you to grow professionally in an environment that values people development.

What was your experience of the Dalata Graduate recruitment process?

My experience with the Dalata Graduate recruitment process was both engaging and insightful. From the beginning, I found the application process to be clear and straightforward, with detailed information on the programme and its expectations. The online application allowed me to showcase my background in hospitality and HR.

Once my application was shortlisted, I was invited to participate in a group interview. I found this to be a fantastic opportunity to interact with other candidates. The group activities and assessments gave me a chance to demonstrate my teamwork skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. Throughout the process, the recruitment team was highly supportive and transparent, providing clear communication and feedback at each stage. The interviews were well-structured.

Have you any tips for someone else thinking of applying to the Dalata Graduate Programme?

• Go on LinkedIn and message past graduates, people are happy to help
• Stay positive and open-minded
• Be yourself and embrace teamwork
• Be willing to step outside your comfort zone, this is where you will really learn!

If you have already completed the graduate programme

Please give a brief overview of your journey since completing the graduate programme, including your current job title

Having graduated from the Graduate Programme, I was working in the Clayton Hotel Cork City as HR Executive. I was then offered a Cluster HR Executive role for Clayton Hotel Cork City and Maldron Hotel South Mall and this is my current job title. I will be undergoing the Dalata HR Development course next year to further enhance my skills. The door to opportunity is wide open in Dalata Hotel Group for sure!

Can you tell us about the Dalata Graduate programme and your experience with this programme?

The Dalata Graduate Programme gave me a great insight to all departments in a hotel, I never had realised how much work goes into the day-to-day running of a hotel prior to the graduate programme. I also relocated from Dublin to Galway for the Graduate Programme, which is something I really recommend as I got to live in a new city I had never been to before. I really enjoyed the face-to-face training & team bonding days as I made great connections through these days.

What is the most interesting project you have been involved in since you joined?

Graduate interviews in 2024 as it was a full circle moment for me!

What is your favourite part of your job?

My favourite part of my job is helping my team with any queries that they might have related to their development & helping them get to where they want to be in Dalata

What prompted you to apply for the Dalata Graduate Programme?

A representee from Dalata came into my college & gave a presentation about the company & development opportunities. I then applied for the programme; I was unsuccessful that time around & applied then the next year!

What was your experience of the Dalata Graduate recruitment process?

I remember the process being very informative & engaging as there were lots of team exercises.

Have you any tips for someone else thinking of applying to the Dalata Graduate Programme?

If you are thinking about applying for the Dalata Graduate Programme, do it! If you are able to relocate, I would recommend this also!

If you have already completed the graduate programme

Please give a brief overview of your journey since completing the graduate programme, including your current job title

Since I completed the Dalata Graduate Programme, I changed departments from Operations to HR. I secured my first job in HR & was a HR executive in Maldron Hotel Sandy Road. I then moved to a Cluster HR Executive between Maldron Hotel Sandy Road & Maldron Hotel Sandy Road. I then rejoined Clayton Hotel Galway where I was the Senior HR Executive. Most recently, I joined the team in Maldron Hotel Tallaght where I am Assistant HR Manager.

Can you tell us about the Dalata Graduate programme and your experience with this programme?

During twelve months I’ve been working with an HR Manager while being trained on the side by the central office team. It was an intense year, you learn a lot and you are being challenged a lot but the outcome is truly worth it.

What is the most interesting project you have been involved in since you joined?

The most interesting project for me during the programme was the budget presentation. I’ve been asked to present the HR KPI’s and stats to the board of direction, when I was about 7-8 months in the company. That was an amazing experience and I was delighted to be trusted and supported to do it.

What is your favourite part of your job?

My favourite part of the programme was the level of initiative and freedom that was given to me as a Graduate. I was working with all departments and helping them finding new ideas. We would try one idea after the other, see if the results were good or not and either keep it or move on. You might think that hotels are quite linear in their ways of work but it’s actually changing all the time and that requires a lot of creativity and team work.

What prompted you to apply for the Dalata Graduate Programme?

I wanted to join the Dalata Hotel Group for a while before actually joining the Programme, unfortunately this was during COVID so it was very challenging. Once the COVID situation got better, I started to apply for junior HR roles within the group, alongside the Graduate Programme which was successful.

What was your experience of the Dalata Graduate recruitment process?

All aspects of the recruitments process were great. People were extremely friendly and understanding. I was amazed by the level of equality and fairness all along, and the genuine interest and open mind regarding my profile considering I am foreign and had an atypical profile.

Have you any tips for someone else thinking of applying to the Dalata Graduate Programme?

I think the programme is what genuinely boosted my career, I was definitely not expecting to be where I am now, when I joined the programme. I was in a way taking a step back by becoming a graduate, but I definitely don’t regret it because what I got in return was ten times greater than where I’d be without the programme. If someone was to join the programme, all I could tell them would be to be themselves, and to give their best to achieve their goals because the Dalata Hotel Group will be supporting them the entire time, beyond expectations.

If you have already completed the graduate programme

Please give a brief overview of your journey since completing the graduate programme, including your current job title

After the programme I joined a sister property as Assistant HR Manager, before going back to my first hotel as HR Manager a few months later. This happened extremely fast and was due to a concurrence of events but I was delighted to go back to my first hotel and to be welcomed back by the hotel’s General Manager and the rest of the team. I have been there since and I’m very happy with my current team and situation. I am now teaching and training the new generations of HR Graduates in order to help them achieving their goals and it’s really amazing.

Can you tell us about the Dalata Graduate programme and your experience with this programme?

My graduate programme was challenging at times but it has allowed me to progress in the best way possible. I had never worked in a hotel, prior to the programme but it was a real eye opener and a great way to develop my skills. The opportunity to rotate around the different departments is fantastic and enabled me to gain a holistic view of the hotel and how all of the departments work together.

What is the most interesting project you have been involved in since you joined?

Not so much a project, but I have enjoyed going to several other hotels to help and support them. I really enjoyed helping Burlington Road with their big events, as well as assisting in Newcastle, Bristol & Glasglow.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Making a positive difference to people’s day(s).

What prompted you to apply for the Dalata Graduate Programme?

I really enjoyed living in Manchester during my university experience so I knew I wanted to stay in the same city after graduating. After researching a few different paths, I thought a graduate programme would be beneficial for me. I had never heard of the company before but thought it would be a great opportunity to kickstart my career in hotels.

What was your experience of the Dalata Graduate recruitment process?

I applied and had my first interview, but got declined after this round. I only got called into the hotel specifically for another interview, after someone else had dropped out the programme.

Have you any tips for someone else thinking of applying to the Dalata Graduate Programme?

I would recommend it but remind them to be resilient and stick it through the whole programme, to really see the benefits at the end. It can be challenging at times but pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the best way to learn and develop.

If you have already completed the graduate programme

Please give a brief overview of your journey since completing the graduate programme, including your current job title

After completing the graduate programme, I applied for the Guest Relations Executive role in my hotel. After 9 months, I was promoted to Guest Relations Manager and I have now been in this role for around 14 months and do Duty Manager shifts also.

Can you tell us about the Dalata Graduate programme and your experience with this programme?

The programme was the ideal stepping stone out of college, where I studied hotel management in Shannon. There are next to no hotel groups that offer the kind of variety that Dalata does in terms of streams to uptake post college, with options to join almost any department in a hotel to cater to your interests and passions. I always found I was interested in the business and revenue side of the industry, and the revenue stream had a fantastic 18-month guide on how their operating systems, forecasting techniques, understanding the business mix and market analysis. I was also given a senior mentor throughout the programme from Central Office who I would catch up with on a monthly basis, which I found crucial in making sure I was constantly developing and not resting on what I knew so far. I came in with little to no experience of the field and by my graduation, I felt extremely confident within myself about my knowledge of the area and to be able to apply for a full-time role.

What is the most interesting project you have been involved in since you joined?

I was part of the hotel team which presented our 2024 budget to the senior Dalata board, which was an incredible experience I was only with them for 16 months at the time. I presented 3 slides on our overall strategy and distribution channels to the CEO, COO and more.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Being in the revenue team means you need to constantly keep an eye on events announcements, business news or local projects to make sure your hotel is correctly rated for any key dates or announcements. It taught me to read the news more and take better notice of current affairs, which is something I feel has become difficult to do in recent times. I quite enjoy this aspect of my job as there’s something new every day to consider, so certainly not a job where you can expect constant repetition.

What prompted you to apply for the Dalata Graduate Programme?

Dalata is still a relatively new hotel group and seeing how quickly they were expanding is quite exciting and means there are great opportunities to be part of a superb team so early in their journey. They’re also Irish which always helps, support local!

What was your experience of the Dalata Graduate recruitment process?

Thorough and fair, they covered all bases and had some interviews and questions which weren’t the norm and actually got you to think on your feet, something you can expect to do regularly in the hospitality industry!

Have you any tips for someone else thinking of applying to the Dalata Graduate Programme?

Get on LinkedIn and feel free to message any past graduates! They’ll always have the best answers and recommendations on the streams and what might be best suited to you.

If you have already completed the graduate programme

Please give a brief overview of your journey since completing the graduate programme, including your current job title.

Revenue and Groups Executive – Clayton Dublin Airport

Systems Support Executive – Central Office

I currently work a split role between my hotel and central office, with the second role recently secured having completed the revenue development programme, a second programme following on from the graduate one which takes on a more detailed training and analysis of all things revenue management, as well as helping you meet current and future revenue managers.