Young graduates from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of FET, O’Connell Avenue Campus in Limerick gathered on Thursday 23rd May to mark a major milestone at a special graduation celebration attended by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD. 6th Year Leaving Certificate and Year 2 Leaving Certificate Applied learners, along with their families and friends, celebrated as they marked the completion of their Youthreach journey at the campus in the heart of Limerick City.
Highlights of the ceremony included an inspiring keynote address by Minister O’Donovan who said: “As the Minister with responsibility for Further and Higher Education, I’m delighted to be here today not just to congratulate you and wish you all well on your night but to encourage you to look at other avenues of education as you go forward. There are no limits. There are no boundaries for any young person in Ireland today who wants to go forward with their training or education. I would really encourage you all to work with the ETB and look to see what are the pathways that are best suited to me. Where is the place that’s best suited for me at this time in my life that will advance me in order to get a job and be able to have a good future in my community and put something back into the community.”
Following the formal presentation of certificates, there were also speeches from some of the graduating learners including Ciaran McDonnell who read a reflection piece on the experience of the Youthreach programme, which was written by talented Youthreach learner, Skye. Another learner, Diogo Neves, spoke about his experience in Youthreach,thanking the tutors for their support and giving special mention to Christy McInerney, who has been a teacher of metalwork within Youthreach for over 30 years and is retiring this year.
The event was also attended by Paul Patton, ETB Director of FET, who congratulated the learners as they look forward to pursuing the next steps on their journey with pathways in further education and training, apprenticeships and new careers. Further Education and Training Manager, Seán O’Carroll, also spoke at the graduation event about the staff’s pride in the graduates and the journey that they have undertaken during their time in Youthreach.
Youthreach is the main Government response to the needs of young people who leave school early through the provision of education and training courses. It is part of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s Youth Education and Training response, delivered in its multi-campus College of FET locations and in Community Training Centres, as well as youth-related co-operation hours.
Youthreach programmes are full-time, operated year-round, and young people can apply at any time of the year for a place. The programmes are fully-funded and learners who are 16 years of age or more receive a weekly training allowance, a meal allowance and a travel and childcare allowance (if applicable) while attending. Programmes are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
For more information on the ETB’s wider delivery of Youth Education and Training, visit: https://collegeoffet.ie/youth-education-and-training/
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