Acting Principal Beverley Hartigan, student representatives, the ETB Senior Management Team, and members of the school Board of Management from St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe welcoming Minister Harris on his recent visit to Clare.
Students and staff at ETB schools and College of Further Education and Training campuses in County Clare were inspired to look to the future as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD paid a visit to the Clare area recently.
The first stop was St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe, where Acting Principal Beverley Hartigan, student representatives, the ETB Senior Management Team, and members of the school Board of Management welcomed the Minister. During the visit, they proudly showcased the many excellent facilities at the school. The Minister also spoke with Senior Cycle students about the many exciting options now available to them in their further education journey. He highlighted the recent changes in the CAO system which now includes Further Education and Apprenticeship options providing more choice and pathways for students.
Minister Harris congratulating TY student Gráinne Scullane on being crowned Shannon Region Junior Chef of the Year 2022.
During his visit, the Minister also used the opportunity to congratulate TY student Gráinne Scullane who was recently crowned Shannon Region Junior Chef of the Year 2022, and her proud parents Fionagh and Kieran. The competition was the culmination of a Transition Year taster programme run by professional executive chefs Diarmuid O’Callaghan and Tom Flavin from Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of Further Education and Training, Hospitality Campus who were also there to meet the Minister.
Students and staff from St Anne’s Community College in Killaloe showing Minister Simon Harris the many facilities at the school.
After encouraging students at St Anne’s Community College to explore their Further Education and Training options, it was fitting that the next stop for Minister Harris was one of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s many College of FET campuses throughout the region.
Minister Harris chatting with learners at College of FET, Ennis Campus.
Minister Harris was greeted by learners and staff at College of FET Ennis Campus, which is located in the Clonroad Business Park in Ennis. Here he enjoyed a guided tour of the extensively expanded modern multi-provision delivery location which serves as a model integrated ‘FET College of the Future’.
Minister Harris chatting with Barista students from Thomond Community College at College of FET, Ennis Campus.
Barista students Emilija Miller and Katie Forde Downes from Thomond Community College were on hand to show Minister Harris their coffee-making skills, while Celine Dolan, a learner from the Lab Techniques Level 5 programme, guided the minister in conducting an experiment.
Minister Simon Harris pictured meeting a hairdressing learner at College of FET, Ennis Campus.
The final stop on the Minister’s busy tour that day was a visit to College of FET, Kilrush Campus located in beautiful West Clare. Here Minister Harris chatted with learners and staff as they highlighted a number of past learner projects, including a community education boat-building project, construction groundwork, and garden design.
Minister Harris visiting a community education boat-building project at College of FET, Kilrush Campus.
Minister Harris visiting the construction groundwork and garden design area of College of FET, Kilrush Campus.
In addition to speaking to secondary school students about pathways after school and past and present learners at Colleges of FET about the many options in Further Education and Training, Minster Harris also took the time to meet with local businesses about regional skills needs and met with public representatives to discuss what structures need to be put in place to support Further Education and Training.
Minister Harris speaking with learners at College of FET, Kilrush Campus.
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