Ballyfermot training centres honoured at Dublin Castle
By Maurice Garvey
COMMUNITY centres in Ballyfermot were honoured for their work carried out on behalf of young people, at a gala ceremony in Dublin Castle.
The ceremony recognised the achievements of community training centres nationwide over the past 40 years, in providing second-chance education to early school leavers.
Representatives from centres in Kylemore, Ronanstown and Cherry Orchard, were on hand to receive a specially-commissioned plaque from Education Minister Richard Bruton.
A competition to design a logo for the 40th anniversary celebration was open to all community training centre participants and was won by a learner from the Kylemore Community Training Centre in Ballyfermot.
Mary Kearney, Chair of Kylemore Community Training Centre, said: “2017 is a very special year as we celebrate the achievements of our centres and learners over the years.
“From the beginning, centres had three significant characteristics which they still retain today. Firstly, we are firmly rooted in our local community. Secondly, programmes are based on experiential learning with recognised qualifications.
“Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the programme is focused on individual learner needs. These principles hold true, and are as apt today, as they ever were, despite the very different educational, training, employment and societal landscapes.”
She continued: “For many young people, when they first came through our doors they had reached a point where life’s possibilities had seemed out of reach.
“Some had come to feel excluded from areas of life that give us all a sense of meaning and belonging, both in our communities and in the workplace.
“It has been our greatest honour to be able to support so many young people in developing their skills and nurturing their talents in order to reach their full potential.
“As a voluntary director, I, along with all our Community Training Centre Boards, am proud to be associated with supporting our learners on their life journey.”
