CERTIFICATES: Home Repair and Maintenance certificates were presented to participants who completed a course in Killarney. Front row l-r were: Máire-Bríd McCrohan (LES), Mary Flynn (LES), Patrick McCarthy (LES), Christina Carroll (DEASP) and Bridie Buckley (Coordinator LES). Back row l-r: Gerard O’Sullivan, Noel Spillane (CEO-SKDP), Daniel Counihan, Angelo Cirillo, Paul O’Connell, Alexandru Cirpaci, Stefan Anghel and Richard O’Brien.

The first participants in the Home Repair and Maintenance course organised by the South Kerry Local Employment Services received their certificates at a ceremony in Killarney recently.

The course was aimed at providing them with the key skills needed to be able to undertake a range of tasks and was developed following analysis of demand of employment opportunities in the region.

The course was funded by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and took place in the KDYS in Killarney.

Speaking at the ceremony, South Kerry Development Partnership CEO Noel Spillane praised all those who completed the course and noted that a number of them had already secured employment with some progressing into self-employment.

He said that the success of this course highlighted the positive outcomes that are possible when people have the opportunity to gain relevant skills. It was a very good example of the levels of co-operation that exist between the DEASP and South Kerry LES and they are looking to run similar courses again in the near future, Noel added.

Christina Carroll of the DEASP said that they have come a long way in terms of delivering an accessible service to customers and it is extremely important as a customer to avail of any funding, educational and training opportunities available.

“The success of the delivery of these services is the reason why we are here, whereby on the completion of this course it will add to your existing set of skills and/or enhance your prospects of re-entering the workplace.”

Anyone interested in taking part in such training or engaging in other educational or training opportunities should contact their local DEASP office or the Local Employment Service.