By Christy Parker | Photo by: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Leaving Cert Applied Students

Change and progress were much in evidence when Youthreach education centre held its open day last week. Now 18 months housed on six acres at the former Colaiste Eoin centre at Golf Links Road, the space and facilities bear no comparison to the cramped conditions at the former address in Seafield Business Centre. “Perceptions have changed,” says co-ordinator Carol Newman. “Youthreach is now a very valid form of education and is being mainstreamed. It is recognised in legislation as a ‘centre of education.’

A classrooms tour with resource worker Maeve O’Leary reflects the transition. Board headings in Leaving Cert Applied depict study on Local, National and Global issues- immigration, pollution, divorce, Travellers’ rights, alcohol abuse, crime & punishment national, etc, etc.

Rooms housing art, wood, metal and computer courses are impressively equipped to cater for such courses as Arts & Crafts, Catering, Marquetry, Food & Nutrition, Computer Applications, Communications, Drama, Personal Effectiveness, Music Appreciation, Woodcraft, Metalwork/Engineering Workshop Processes/ Video Awareness, Maths, Personal & Interpersonal Skills, Floristy and Involvement in Community Projects.

Sometimes, when the two adult learning groups – Back to Education and Adult Literacy – who also avail of the premises are simultaneously present, there must persist a bustling ambience. Yet set back from the road on, swathed in light an air, learning and peace seem most pertinent here. “The intimate little community atmosphere we had in the old place has changed but it’s still a very personal establishment,” says Maeve. “Besides,” she proceeds, “On occasions when adult classes are on the premises, it enhances our students’ social and interactive skills.”

Managed by Cork County VEC, the Youtreach Programme is permitted a full compliment of 25 students/trainees. It presently accommodates 19 and employs three full-time and five part-time tutors. Enrolment is instantaneous and dependent on applicants being aged 15-21 and not having sat the Leaving Cert. Trainees achieve National Foundation Certificates when successfully completing some basic programmes that are Trainee Centred and based on Modules designed by the National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA).

At the moment, there are no more than eight students to a class, across the provision of Junior Cert, Leaving Cert Applied and Fetac (Further Education Training Awards Council). The curriculum meets national standard, as Carol stresses.

The process of studying it differs though. Notwithstanding the excellent resources, many would regard the small pupil/tutor ratio as the ultimate benefit. “Yes, some people learn better in small groups,” agrees Carol. “We can be more flexible and can focus on a student’s strengths and potential are rather than on what they can’t do. That builds confidence. We also incorporate literacy in everything and have a lot more crossover in subjects.”

Other crossovers occur too. The students visit the nearby GAA headquarters twice weekly for sports and gym. “The girls have just had two months of gym with personal trainer and are doing boxing now too through the Cork County Sports Partnership,” informs Carol.

The next two weeks will bring exams, followed by a month of work experience. The students will unwind with a fortnight of adventure and activity. “We’ll have day trips, beach trips, carting, cinema, sports days and so on, much of it with other Youthreach groups, “says Maeve. “There’s also a Youthreach boat in Bantry and we’ll be going there too,” she concludes.

Youthreach inquiries: (024) 01159; e-mail: yry@eircom.net

AIB’S ‘Better Text’ initiative:

* Currently Youthreach is engaged in a funding application with the AIB Better Ireland awards. On offer is €10,000 award. Also vying for the money in Youghal are Foroige and Youghal Youth Project. Previously, applications were received and decided by administration but now a new system has been introduced. One might question its taste and morality. The town’s three youth organisations have been pitted against each other in a text-voting battle. Basically, the group that receives the most text message support from May 6th to June 6th wins the prize. Texts cost 60c. One can send as many texts as one wishes -or can afford.
‘All proceeds (after operator charges & VAT) will go to the relevant short-listed group, regardless of the final voting outcome,’ gushes the AIB blurb.

In reducing a crucial funding issue to the status of a crude game show competition, the AIB regards quantity above quality and adds further pressure on already hard-pressed organisations and individuals. Then again, not everyone automatically associates quality -or sensitivity- with the Irish banking culture. ‘Vote for the Children’, urges the nauseating promotion leaflet, seemingly oblivious to the fact that ‘voting’ for one child means ‘voting’ against another. If you want to do so anyway, the text number is 53099, followed by A for Youthreach and B or C for either of the others. You may prefer to ignore it altogether.