Strokestown Further Education Centre by Rachel Feeney

Strokestown Further Education Centre located at the County Roscommon Heritage & Genealogy Centre, Church Street offers a Local Training Initiative course in collaboration with Galway Roscommon Education & Training Board (GRETB) and the Genealogy Company. 

The Programme has been running in this centre for the last 17 years and in this time approximately 300 learners have come through our doors.  The training programme is offered to learners aged between 16-65 years.  The overall aim of our programme is to assist unemployed people to move towards employment or higher education providing community based training and work experience leading to nationally recognised qualifications at QQI Levels 3, 4 and 5. Our courses run for 11 months full time and are continuous intake basis. Our current hours are Monday – Thursday 9.15am – 4.30pm and Friday 9.15am – 1.30pm. Our highly qualified and experienced tutors are dedicated to the educational development and advancement of all our learners. Encouragement and support from tutors allows learners to develop their existing skills and learn new skills in an environment that is tailored to meet their individual needs.  Our training courses are free to those in receipt of a Social Welfare Payment. For learners aged under 26 who take up a place on our training course, they may receive a training allowance of up to €198 per week. You can also claim a meal allowance and a travel allowance if you live 5 km or more from the training centre. The Childcare Education and Training Support Programme (CETS) provide free childcare to eligible course participants.Our courses are suitable for, school leavers, mature learners, second-chance learners, long and short term unemployed and learners seeking employment. Our Adult Guidance Co-ordinator/Counsellor from GRETB is available to advise our learners, so that they can make informed choices about their future in relation to employment, education and training.Our Level 3 course in Employability Skills is flexible in structure so that Learners have the maximum opportunity to improve their literacy, numeracy, ICT and career planning skills while participating in the programme. It allows the Learner to explore new areas with a view to developing new skills and exploring things that may interest the Learner in future programmes. It enhances the Learner’s confidence in their abilities to use their skills to reach their potential. Tutors assist Learner’s in developing their interpersonal, communication, team working, time keeping and time management skills. Most importantly it provides a sound base and foundation of learning that will afford the Learner the opportunity for progression. Our Level 4 course in Information and Communications Technology Skills provides the key skills which are most commonly needed to succeed in a range of activities – at work, in education and training and in everyday life.   Learners will study current digital media technologies, exploring its role in the creation of an online identity. Use a range of applications to include digital video and audio, social media applications and mobile technologies to create digital media content. Along with Digital Media learners complete Information Technology Skills, Computer Applications, Communications, Mathematics, Teamworking, Work Experience and Workplace Safety modules. For those interested in progression to third level college our Major Award Level 5 in Office Administration allows learners to apply to a number of colleges nationwide. Learners can achieve a maximum of 400 CAO points on completion of this course and we act as a viable route to higher education courses. Our programme also helps learners prepare for college life with teamworking, presentations, office applications, portfolios/projects and gain valuable life experiences in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Our courses offer practical training, small classes, expert tuition and vital work experience in local businesses. One of the most important elements of our course is the Work Experience module which allows learners to gain on the job practice, valuable skills and knowledge in their chosen area. On this note we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the local business for their continued support by allowing our learners to take up work experience at their premises.   We understand this is a big undertaking by you giving your time and providing guidance to our learners and for that we are very grateful. Over the duration of the course we organise many talks and presentations for our learners from external providers. These include MABS, which give a very informative and helpful talk on budgeting and saving money, Citizens Information which provide information on rights and entitlements, Environmental Awareness campaign talks, Career Guidance, general talks and one-to-one sessions. Along with these our learners attend training and education fairs. Yearly team building trips are also a part of our programme which provides an enjoyable day out for both learners and staff.  Returning to education can have an impact on learner’s personal development as well. Learners share their time learning with likeminded people from different educational backgrounds. This can help with their social skills and confidence. Often when people study, one of the highlights is the experience gained and the enjoyment of doing something new and meeting new people. Building confidence and being able take part in conversations in ways learners felt unable to previously, indicates a new sense of agency, assertiveness and social participation. Our programme provides daily structure and encourages valuable social contact which some learners have greatly missed since becoming unemployed. Our centre provides a relaxed, friendly atmosphere for learners to enjoy and have a positive learning experience. 

 “What we learn with pleasure, we never forget” Alfred Mercier
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For more information call 071 96 34935
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