Portobello Institute

08/10/2026

What happens when you keep learning while you work? 👇

For Portobello Institute alumna Stacey Kelly, continuing her education helped her take the next step in her career.

Starting on the service desk at Apleona, Stacey balanced full-time work with studying facilities management at Portobello Institute. Shortly after qualifying, her commitment to professional development was recognised with a promotion to Facilities Manager.

Today, Stacey is Director of Facilities at Apleona, a reflection of her years of practical experience, continued learning and dedication to her career.

🔗Read Stacey’s story: https://bit.ly/4zkbsdM

08/10/2026

We were delighted to attend the IGC Midlands College & Careers Fair at TUS Athlone Campus today, meeting students from across the Midlands and helping them explore the different study options and career pathways available to them! 🎓

The event brought together education providers and industry representatives from across Ireland, giving students the opportunity to explore their interests and start thinking about their future careers.

Lynda was there representing Portobello Institute, chatting with students about their ambitions and the pathways available across Health Science, Sport, Education and the Business of Fashion.

Choosing what comes next is about discovering where your interests could take you.

A big thank you to the organisers and everyone who stopped by to chat with Lynda today! 👋

🔗 Explore your future career pathways here: https://bit.ly/4hPBFKo

06/10/2026

Meet Robyn Roche, our Career Pathway Consultant for fashion and applied health science.

Choosing the right course is about more than deciding what to study. It’s about understanding where you want to go and finding the pathway that can help you get there.

Robyn works with prospective students to explore their interests, ambitions and career goals, offering personalised guidance to help them make an informed decision with confidence.

“Everyone’s journey through education and into their chosen career is unique. I really enjoy getting to know each student, understanding their background, passions and aspirations, and helping them see the options available to them.”

Whether you’re exploring a career in fashion, considering Applied Health Science or looking at progressing your career through PGCEi, Robyn can help you understand your options and find the pathway that’s right for you.

🔗 Book a consultation with Robyn and start exploring your next step. More information is available here: https://bit.ly/4yFhIgy

02/10/2026

Considering a career in dietetics or occupational therapy?

What does the day to day actually look like once you’re working in each of these professions?

From consultations and assessments to planning, clinical notes and adapting care around the individual, both careers involve much more than what happens during an appointment.

In our latest article, Dr Roberta Mendes and Yvonne Phelan share an insight into the realities of working in dietetics and occupational therapy, including the parts of the job people may not always see.

🔗Read our latest article to explore what both careers really involve and see which pathway could be right for you: https://bit.ly/4rDpC7a

01/10/2026

From concept to camera, this is what putting fashion theory into practice looks like at Portobello Institute.

From developing editorial concepts for unique fashion shoots to bringing their vision to life working together, students consider the mood, styling, location and creative direction before planning how the final editorial will look, feel and tell their creative story.

Collaboration is a key part of the process, with first-year fashion students stepping in to model the looks while the second-year students direct the shoot alongside a professional photographer.

The result is an editorial fashion project shaped by the students from the initial concept through to the final images, giving them practical experience of the creative process behind a professional fashion shoot where business meets fashion.

🔗 Find out more about studying the business of fashion at Portobello Institute: https://bit.ly/4e8UMhd

30/09/2026

7 trends shaping the future of dietetics practice in Ireland

The dietetics profession is continuing to evolve as healthcare priorities, research and the way people access nutrition information change.

Here are seven of the key trends shaping the profession:

1. A greater focus on prevention

Dietitians are playing an increasingly important role in helping people build healthier habits earlier. The focus is not only on treating existing conditions, but also on supporting long-term health and reducing future risk through evidence-based nutrition guidance.

2. Growing demand for dietitians

Opportunities for dietitians are expanding across hospitals, community care, public health, education, research, sport, food industry, private practice and other areas of healthcare.

3. Behavioural science is becoming more important

Nutrition advice is most effective when it takes the individual into account. Modern dietetic practice increasingly considers behaviour, habits, culture, lifestyle, finances and the wider circumstances that influence food choices.

4. Tackling nutrition misinformation

With so much nutrition content available online, dietitians have an important role in helping people distinguish reliable evidence from misinformation. Clear communication is becoming just as important as understanding the science itself.

5. Career pathways are evolving

There is no longer one typical route for a career in dietetics. Alongside clinical practice, dietitians can build careers in research, education, sport, public health, industry, digital health, product development and private practice.

6. More culturally responsive care

Effective nutrition guidance needs to reflect real life. Culture, food traditions, finances, access, lifestyle and personal circumstances can all influence how people eat and what changes are realistic for them.

7. A stronger connection between nutrition and sustainability

The conversation around nutrition is becoming broader. Dietitians are increasingly considering food systems, affordability, waste, access and sustainability alongside individual health.

These trends are helping to shape what modern dietetic practice looks like and the skills future professionals will need.

🔗 Read the full article and explore our MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration):
https://blog.portobelloinstitute.com/7-trends-shaping-the-future-of-dietetics-practice-in-ireland

From preventative healthcare to tackling nutrition misinformation, discover the trends transforming dietetics and how to become a registered dietitian.

29/09/2026

Thinking about progressing your career in facilities management but not sure which qualification is right for your experience?

At our recent ‘Portobello Centre for Sustainable Facilities Management’ information evening, Programme Lead Gerry Kelly, FM Career Pathway Consultant Niall Downey and Portobello graduate Tadgh Harnedy explored the different routes available for professionals at every stage of their FM career.

Here are some of the key takeaways:
1. There is no one starting point in facilities management.

Your qualifications, professional experience and career goals all help determine where your studies should begin. From IWFM qualifications through to degree and postgraduate study, the pathway is designed to build on the experience you already have.

2. Your existing experience matters.

Backgrounds in engineering, construction, building services, trades, asset management and operational management can all provide a strong foundation for progressing within FM. The aim is to identify a programme that gives you genuine new learning rather than repeating what you already know.

3. There is a clear progression pathway.

Early-career professionals can develop their knowledge through IWFM Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications, while experienced FM professionals can progress to the BSc (Hons) Workplace and Facilities Management. Senior and aspiring leaders can continue through postgraduate study and the MSc Strategic Facilities Leadership.

4. Learning is designed around working professionals.

Facilities management programmes are delivered online, allowing students to continue working while developing skills they can apply directly in their roles.

5. FM is becoming broader and more strategic.

Today’s FM profession spans sustainability, energy, workplace management, compliance, property and assets, contracts and organisational strategy, creating opportunities to develop in a wide range of areas.

🔗 Ready to take the next step in your facilities management career?
Explore our full range of programmes and apply through our new website:

Our Facilities Management courses
develop professionals to become experts in leading teams, improving workplaces and supporting more sustainable, efficient operations.

28/09/2026

A warm welcome to our new first year Business of Fashion students starting at Portobello Institute this week!
If you're considering a career in the business side of the fashion industry, keep watching to find out the exciting career opportunities!

For Portobello students, fashion capital London is part of the journey. ✈️🇬🇧

In first year, our fashion buying & merchandising and fashion management students travel to Europe's leading fashion sourcing event, Source Fashion London.

From discovering how global sourcing and supply chains work for the the entire retail decision-making team, to learning the inside scoop on garment technology and supply chain management around responsible fashion in practice, this unique experience gives students a real-world understanding of where their degree can take them.

It’s not just about studying fashion. It’s about gaining releavnt experience to launch your career. 🚀

🔗 Explore our Business of Fashion courses and find the pathway that’s right for you: https://bit.ly/4yekitu

24/09/2026

We were delighted to welcome students from The King's Hospital Boarding & Day School (KH) to Portobello Institute for an evening exploring our 5 year pathways to careers in health science.

Fourth, fifth and sixth year students took part in interactive experiences related to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and speech and language therapy careers.

Current Portobello Institute health science master's students and KH alumni working in related professions shared their education pathways, inspiration behind their choices, what studying is really like and their current careers.

This was a fantastic, engaging event aimed at inspiring these students to consider more than one route to professional healthcare careers with practical insights along the way - well done to these inspiring young people for their vibrant energy and taking part - the future is in good hands!

Thanks to the wonderful teams at KH and our own Portobello staff who organised a brilliant evening.

22/09/2026

From concept to reality.

Seeing our Higher Options stand come to life at the RDS was such a brilliant moment.

A huge thank you to Vinehall Displays for bringing our vision to life and creating a space that showcased Portobello Institute and the pathways available to students so brilliantly.

The stand became our home for three busy days of conversations, questions, connections and plenty of activity at stand 54.

As we wrap up Higher Options 2026, we also want to thank every student, teacher and guidance counsellor who stopped by to meet us.

It was fantastic to connect with so many people, answer your questions and share more about the opportunities available at Portobello Institute.

Thank you to everyone who made Higher Options 2026 such a memorable few days.