Tadgh Harnedy
Tadgh Harnedy has embraced his education journey at Portobello Institute to continue his path upskilling in facilities management from an IWFM 5 Diploma, to his degree and now successfully gaining his MSc Workplace & Facilities Management.
Driven by a passion for sustainability and a desire to formalise his experience, Tadgh shares how this has been a transformative journey that has helped him lead major projects, gain strategic confidence, and elevate his career as Facilities Manager at Aramex in Dublin.
“Before I started my studies at Portobello Institute, my career path was very much rooted in logistics, operations, and facilities management. I have built up strong experience managing people, ensuring compliance, and driving day-to-day operational efficiency across busy sites.
“While that experience gave me a great foundation, I always felt I was missing the formal structure and recognised qualifications to match the responsibilities I was already carrying.
“I knew I wanted to strengthen my strategic, financial, and leadership skills so that I could move beyond just managing the day-to-day and start shaping long-term direction.
“That’s what led me to the IWFM Level 5 Diploma as my first step. It gave me the frameworks and confidence to apply theory to practice, and from there I could see a clear pathway into the degree and eventually the MSc.
“Looking back now, it was the best decision I made for my career as it formalised the knowledge I already had, pushed me to learn new approaches, and opened doors I wouldn’t have imagined before starting at Portobello.
“It was absolutely the right choice for me. It matched perfectly with my career stage and gave me the opportunity to build on the practical experience I already
had. The advanced entry pathway meant I could progress quickly; while still gaining the depth of knowledge and theory I needed to back up my professional practice.
“It was flexible, supportive, and directly relevant to my role, everything I learned could be applied straight away in the workplace. For me, it wasn’t just the right course, it was the right course at the right time in my career,” he said.
Choosing to Come Back to Education
Making the decision to come back to education when you are working, have a family or busy lifestyle, can feel daunting. Tadgh worked full-time in senior management while balancing his studies with Portobello Institute’s blended learning delivery.
“For me, studying felt like the right thing to do because I wanted to match the responsibility I already had in my career with recognised qualifications and deeper knowledge. I knew I had the practical, hands-on experience, but I wanted the theory and frameworks to back it up and give me more confidence in the decisions I was making.
“It was also about progression — I didn’t want to stand still. I wanted to grow, to challenge myself, and to open doors to opportunities that might not have been available without those qualifications. Education gave me that balance between experience and credibility, and it’s been transformative both professionally and personally.
“I chose Portobello Institute because of the flexibility and support they offered. As someone working full-time, I needed a programme that could fit around my career without compromising on quality. The blended learning model, with online access alongside tutor interaction, made it manageable and enjoyable.
“What really stood out to me was the transparency, the open communication, and the genuine support from tutors. It didn’t feel like just ticking boxes — it felt like being part of a learning community that wanted you to succeed. That combination of flexibility, quality, and support is what sets Portobello apart from other providers for me.
“My time as a student at Portobello Institute was genuinely enjoyable and rewarding. The blended learning model gave me the flexibility I needed to balance work, study, and personal life, but what really stood out was the interaction with tutors and classmates. It wasn’t just about completing assignments — it was about open discussions, sharing experiences, and getting real, constructive feedback.
“I always felt supported and encouraged, and that made a huge difference. The learning environment was transparent, engaging, and practical, and it gave me the confidence to push myself further at each stage.
“Looking back, I’d describe it as a transformative experience that has not only developed my knowledge but also my confidence and ambition.
“It never felt like I was on my own, there was always guidance when needed, and that created a positive environment.
“It allowed me to balance work, study, and personal commitments while still progressing my career and education.
“For me, it wasn’t just about gaining qualifications , it was about growing in confidence, opening new opportunities, and discovering a real passion for learning. If someone is considering returning to education or upskilling, I’d say Portobello is the perfect place to do it,” he said.
Following His Passion for a Career He Loves
Not only did Tadgh follow his passion by pursuing studies in facilities management, but he also got to delve deeper into emerging areas where he discovered new interests such as sustainability – which has just inspired him even more to constantly pursue further knowledge and upskilling.
“I definitely followed my passion by studying this course. I’ve always had a strong interest in how workplaces and facilities operate, not just in terms of keeping things running day to day, but in how they can be managed strategically to support people, performance, and sustainability.
“Over time, that interest has grown into a real passion for sustainability in particular. I want to be part of shaping workplaces that are not only efficient but also environmentally responsible. That’s what motivates me to keep learning — from the diploma to the degree, to the MSc — and even now I’m looking ahead at areas like sustainability-focused MBAs or a PhD in facilities management.
“For me, it’s about making a positive impact in the field and creating long-term change, and studying at Portobello has been the pathway to turn that passion into expertise,” he said.
The Benefits of Working While Studying
Portobello Institute strives to make education accessible to those working full-time through blended learning. We understand that life can’t stop to fit study in, so our practical hands on focus ensures you are gaining knowledge that can be beneficial and implements in the real world in real time.
“I was working full-time alongside my studies. I was in a senior operations and facilities management role, overseeing logistics, compliance, and the day-to-day running of site operations.
“Balancing study with work was challenging at times, but the flexibility of Portobello’s blended learning model made it possible.
“In fact, working while studying became a real advantage — I could immediately apply what I was learning in class to my role. During this time, I oversaw the installation of a 325kWp solar project that now supplies around 50% of our site’s energy needs.
“I also led major fire-proofing upgrades, the replacement of electrical boards, and worked closely with ESB on power infrastructure improvements.
“In addition, I have been directly involved in a planning proposal that will expand our site by 50%. Studying while managing projects of this scale gave me the tools, confidence, and perspective to deliver them more effectively.
“There were several projects where my studies directly supported my work. The knowledge I gained in project management, risk management, and sustainability from the course gave me the confidence to deliver these projects successfully.
“My studies also helped me manage fire-proofing upgrades across the site, electrical board replacements, and power upgrade works with ESB. The financial and strategic management modules, in particular, helped me build stronger business cases for these projects and engage more effectively with senior stakeholders.
“Even in day-to-day operations, the frameworks and models I learned gave me new ways of looking at problems, making decisions, and leading teams. It meant I wasn’t just relying on experience — I had academic tools to back up my practice, which made a real difference.
“More importantly, it gave me confidence. I no longer just rely on experience, I can back up my decisions with solid knowledge and academic grounding, which has changed how I approach both projects and leadership.
“It’s also broadened my perspective on what’s possible. I now see a clear path to progress further, whether that’s into senior leadership or sustainability-focused roles. The course hasn’t just developed my skills, it has expanded my ambition,” he said.
Commitment to Balancing it All with Support and Feedback
Tadgh shares insights around what it was like to really balance work and study plus the level of support and commitment it takes to do it all successfully.
“Balancing my job and my course commitments wasn’t always easy, but the blended learning model made it manageable. I set aside dedicated time each week for study and assignments, while still keeping up with the demands of a full-time senior operations and facilities management role.
“What really helped was that the course content was so relevant to my day-to-day work. I could take what I was learning and apply it immediately, which made the study feel less like something separate and more like an extension of my job.
“The support and feedback from tutors also made a big difference — it kept me on track and gave me the confidence that I could successfully balance
both.
“Family support was also essential. My wife and kids have been amazingly supportive throughout this journey, and without them — along with the backing of Aramex senior management — it would have been much harder. I also believe you have to look after yourself during the process.
“For me, fitting in some training at lunchtime or early mornings — whether CrossFit, swimming, biking, rowing, or ski erg sessions — really helped keep my mind and body balanced. I’d recommend anyone studying to make time for that kind of outlet,” he said.
A Future Focused on Sustainability and Leadership
Since graduating, Tadgh’s career has already shifted. He feels more strategic, confident, and recognised in his role and is already looking ahead to further study and leadership opportunities.
“My career has definitely changed since graduating. The qualification gave me credibility and confidence, which has opened new opportunities and strengthened my position within senior operations and facilities management.
“I’ve been able to take on larger projects from leading a solar PV installation that now covers half of our site’s energy needs, to overseeing fire-proofing upgrades, electrical board replacements, and site expansion planning.
“Graduating hasn’t just been about a title on paper it’s given me the tools and recognition to deliver at a higher level, influence decision-making, and think more strategically about the future of both my role and the organisation.
“On the career side, I want to keep driving projects that make a real impact, particularly around sustainability and energy management. The solar PV project I delivered has sparked a real passion in me to push further in this space, and I see myself playing a bigger role in shaping sustainable strategies for organisations in the years ahead.
“This journey has also awakened a real yearning for learning that I didn’t have when I was younger. It has brought areas like CSRD into sharper focus from a business perspective, and I’ve already started adding courses to develop myself further on that road. For me, it’s an evolving journey, one that is far from finished.
“This qualification has set me up for success by giving me both the confidence and the tools to operate at a higher level. I already had years of practical experience, but the course gave me the academic grounding, strategic frameworks, and credibility to back up my decisions and influence senior stakeholders.
“It has also changed how I see my career not just managing the day-to-day, but thinking long-term, shaping sustainable strategies, and driving real impact. The MSc has opened my eyes to new possibilities, from energy management projects like solar PV to exploring future opportunities in sustainability leadership, MBAs, or even doctoral research.
“In short, it hasn’t just advanced my knowledge it has raised my ambition and positioned me to keep growing.
“Returning to education later in life has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Portobello Institute gave me the flexibility, support, and encouragement to not only complete my qualifications but to genuinely enjoy the journey.
“It has reignited my passion for learning, opened doors I never thought possible, and shown me that it’s never too late to grow, challenge yourself, and aim higher. For anyone considering it, take the leap, you won’t regret it,” he said.
If you are interested in studying Facilities Management at Portobello Institute, visit our faculty here.
