Youthreach Ballinrobe

OPEN DAY 2008 YOUTHREACH BALLINROBE

YOUTHREACH is an integral part of the national programme of second-chance education and training in Ireland and is a central part of the Government's contribution to the achievement of a lifelong learning society. Youthreach Ballinrobe offers programmes for young unemployed people aged 15-20 who needs a second chance at education and training. It provides opportunities to develop social, personal and vocational skills to allow people to pursue viable options within adult life. All the courses provide opportunities to gain certification accredited by the Department of Education and Science or FETAC and participants receive training allowances of up to €197.80 per week.
Youthreach Ballinrobe is currently offering a Certificate Hairdressing Course at Level 5 which is accredited by FETAC. In our centre we have a new modern hairdressing salon which was officially opened on the 10th October 2008 at 2.30pm. Dr. Dermot Stokes, National Co-ordinator of Youthreach officially opened the new state of the art hairdressing salon.

The course offers the students the opportunity to study Hairdressing Theory and Practice and Hairdressing Science which will provide the students with an in-depth understanding of hairdressing. In addition to these subjects the students also study Business Calculations, Computer Applications, Information Technology Skills, Work Experience (here the students get the opportunity to work in a hair salon throughout the year), and Communications.

All our staff and trainees at Youthreach Ballinrobe would like to take this opportunity to thank all the employers over the years, for facilitating our work experience programmes. This is especially valuable to our centre and in particular to the trainees as it offers a stepping-stone into the workplace for the trainees and provides them with excellent opportunities on completion of their programme.

At present the centre also offers the Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Certificate programmes. Students studying these programmes also get the opportunity to use the new hair salon as they study the Hair and Beauty Course in LCA and Level 3 Personal Care and Presentation Modules accredited by FETAC.

Also, on the Open Day, Dr. Katie Sweeney, C.E.O. Co. Mayo V.E.C. launched the Centre Development Plan and the Youthreach Ballinrobe Website. The Centre Development Plan is essentially a strategic plan for the next 5 years. It sets out where the Centre is at at present; it prioritises actions and methods of monitoring over the life of the Plan. It is in line with Co. Mayo V.E.C., our 5-Year Education Plan and the QFI National Quality Framework. Our plan has been developed through close consultation with the Learners, the Centre Staff, Co-ordinator and Stakeholders. Monitoring and evaluation of the various planned actions is undertaken on an on-going basis, thereby allowing the plan to be refined to take account of any changes in the overall environment within which the Centre operates. The Youthreach Ballinrobe Website is a valuable tool as a source of information on Youthreach Ballinrobe and the courses that we offer. The website address is www.youthreachballinrobe.net.


Mr. Diarmuid O'Ceidigh who is a FETAC Representative made a presentation of the Certificate in Hairdressing Award to the Hairdressing Trainees of 2008. Finally, there was a presentation made to the Student of the Year 2008 by Ms. Maeve O'Healy-Harte of the Irish Hairdressing International Magazine. The Student of the Year Award went to Therese Gibbons. Congratulations Therese and best wishes for your future.


If you would like more information about any courses available at Youthreach Ballinrobe, please contact Mr Frank Brady at 094-9541117, email Frank at youthreachballinrobe@eircom.net or alternatively visit our website at www.youthreachballinrobe.net.