This article is from page 9 of the 2006-02-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to the hard work and dedication of the students and staff of Clare Youth Services, at the organisation’s certification ceremony.
Close to 300 people attended the event, where over 100 students received National Certificates from a range of educational and training bodies including FETAC, Clare VEC, FÁS and Fáilte Ireland. It is the first time in over three years that the ceremony has taken place. Minister of State for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen TD, presented the certificates at the event, which took place in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.
Through the provision of courses in vocational and educational training, Clare Youth Services aims to give students a chance to attain Junior and Leaving Certificate qualifications away from a mainstream educational setting.
It encourages young people and adults alike to sample different technical areas and to develop personal and learning skills in mathematics, information technology and communication through the nationally-recognised FETAC scheme.
Monday’s ceremony formally recognised the achievements of the students and also the committed efforts of the service’s many co-ordinators, instructors and volunteers.
Mr Killeen acknowledged the achievements of all the recipients and stated that programmes such as FETAC provided an essential service for those alienated by mainstream education.
“If anyone has had negative experience of the formal education system, I would hope that the courses that you have taken under the auspices of Clare Youth Services have given you a different view,” said Mr Killeen.
“We need to have a flexibility in work and educational programmes which is something that has become enormously important in Ireland,” he added.
Dr Sean Conlan, Adult Education Organiser with Clare VEC, said that the principle of lifelong learning must be one taught from an early age and added that, “Today should be another step on the lifelong learning journey”.