A younger Buncrana lady is furthering her profession in insurance coverage after taking another route by way of training.
Mandy Doherty left faculty on the age of 14. On the time, she struggled together with her psychological well being and located it troublesome to maintain up with conventional classroom studying.
Mandy discovered a extra relaxed and sensible strategy to be taught in Youthreach, a free training, coaching and work expertise programme offered by way of Donegal ETB’s Additional Training and Coaching (FET) Service.
The complete-time course is for college kids aged 16-20, with six centres throughout the county.
“I couldn’t even think about the place I’d be if I hadn’t gone to Youthreach,” Mandy tells Donegal Each day.
Youthreach gave Mandy the constructing blocks to do an Entry course at LYIT (now ATU Donegal) and get a level in Enterprise.
She now works at Ahead Emphasis Worldwide, primarily based at Malin Head.
Having disliked faculty from an early age, Mandy counts herself fortunate to have discovered one other path to third-level training. Youthreach is designed to be extra like an additional training faculty. There aren’t any uniforms and topics are delivered as modules.
“It was a extra relaxed surroundings. I believe since you name all of the academics by their first title it felt quite a bit much less authoritarian,” Mandy mentioned.
“I discovered in class there was an excessive amount of data without delay. I didn’t be taught on the identical tempo as everyone else and I fell behind fairly badly in maths. At Youthreach, you will have round 5 individuals within the room so the trainer has time for everybody.”
Mandy studied for awards comparable to hairdressing, childcare, workplace expertise and woodcraft. She additionally loved the teamwork video games and workout routines held all year long. In complete, she gained 30 QQI awards as much as Stage 4.
All of the whereas, the centre workers labored with Mandy and her classmates to assist them attempt in the direction of their private objectives.
“Each couple of months there’s a assessment of your attendance and what you’re working in the direction of,” Mandy mentioned.
Work expertise can also be an essential a part of the Youthreach programme. Mandy’s placements in Buncrana companies helped her realise that she favored working in workplace administration.
Coming close to the tip of the 2 years, Mandy availed of profession steerage and visited faculty open days regionally. That’s the place she realized in regards to the Entry course offered by LYIT which helps college students put together for third stage training.
“I do know there are different paths to school, but when I didn’t do Youthreach I wouldn’t have had the training to succeed at Entry. Youthreach offered the constructing blocks for me to go on to check Enterprise. I had a eager curiosity in companies and the way they labored. The Youthreach electives helped me love maths once more and in enterprise I favored seeing how totally different corporations run issues.”
Mandy, now aged 25, hasn’t stopped upskilling but. Her employers at FEI have supported her to coach to turn out to be an Accredited Product Adviser (APA), advising shoppers in insurance coverage.
Youthreach, Mandy mentioned, is far more than a spot to be taught, however a spot to develop and be supported.
She mentioned: “I’d suggest it. You’re going right into a state of affairs the place everyone is in the identical boat, they could have their very own issues at house or throughout the education system. There was at all times a trainer there to information you thru it. They’ve a counsellor in there too, Julie was an absolute star and would take individuals to at least one aspect and be sure you are okay. They’d take considerations to Jayne, the Coordinator.
“I’d suggest Youthreach within the sense that if you don’t get on in school, it is best to go. Wanting again, I wouldn’t be the place I’m if I hadn’t gone to Youthreach, I believe they’re the loveliest individuals ever.”
Donegal ETB’s six Youthreach centres are actually enrolling. In case you, or somebody you understand, is considering becoming a member of the programme, yow will discover extra data at this hyperlink: http://www.donegaletb.ie/youthreach.
For any enquiries, fill out the net internet kind and the crew will get again to you: https://www.donegaletb.ie/donegal-youthreach-enquiry-form/.
You can too name the Youthreach Centres on the next numbers:
- Ballyshannon (Pernille) – 071 98 51286
- Buncrana/Glengad (Jayne) – 074 93 62626
- Gortahork (Caitriona) – 074 91 35218
- Letterkenny (Gillian) – 074 91 22585
- Lifford (Aidan) – 074 91 22585
Fb: DonegalYouthreach
Twitter @DonegalYR
YouTube: Donegal Youthreach Programme
Youthreach is co-funded by the Authorities of Eire and the European Union.
‘If it weren’t for Youthreach, I wouldn’t have gone to school’ was final modified: September sixth, 2023 by
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