Students who successfully completed a National QQI Major Award in Employability Skills were congratulated on their achievement at a certification ceremony in Enniscorthy.

The two-year InTuition Vocational Training Programme is run by County Wexford Community Workshop with funding from Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board  and is delivered in a new custom-built campus at Kilcannon Garden Centre.

The course is designed for adult learners who benefit from additional support and is open to anyone from 18 upwards. The modules include health and safety awareness, digital media, personal and interpersonal skills, career preparation,  work experience, functional mathematics, potting and planting by hand, personal development and retail sales transactions.

The mission statement is to “enable and empower people with disabilities to live the life of their choice to their utmost ability”. The course offers small group learning and mentoring in a friendly supportive environment and access to a resource teacher for literacy and numeracy for those aged 18 to 25.  Ongoing support is provided for up to six months following the completion of the programme.

Course tutor Des Wheelock acted as MC, welcoming the graduates and their proud families and friends to the event. The certificates were presented by Maria Lindell of WWETB and Jordana Black of CWCW.

The opening address was given by CWCW Chief Executive Trevor Jacob who congratulated the learners and wished them every success in the future.

Also in attendance were the course coordinator Fran O’ Hagan and the learning support teacher Michelle Pepper.

The InTuition Programme is linked to a network of local employers where the students gain varied work experience in their areas of interest on Fridays throughout the course which prepares them for employment or further education.

In the years from 2015 when the course began, students have gained employment in workplaces such as engineering firms, mechanics’ garages, car wash and valeting, garden centres, furniture store, cafes, and manufacturing with others going on to further education and training.

Places are available on the flexible programme which runs all year round apart from a two-week summer break and for each individual learner the two years duration starts from the first day that they join.

For enrolment details and more information about the programme, contact Fran O’ Hagan at fran.ohagan@reachability.ie.