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Further education and training opportunities for students and adults

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By Niamh Dwyer, Guidance Counsellor

Much media attention focuses on CAO applications and the points required for various courses in Higher Education Institutions. It is essential that students and adults consider the multiple options available to them through the further education and training sector as entry to these courses is not based on Leaving Certificate points. The varied opportunities can be explored under three categories – Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLCs), Traineeships and Apprenticeships.

Post Leaving Cert Courses prepare school-leavers, or adults returning to education, for direct employment and also can be used as a progression route for entry to higher education. Once students have completed a one year (Level 5) or two year (Level 6) PLC they can continue directly into the workplace and also have the option of applying for a huge variety of CAO courses using the points achieved in their QQI qualification. There are hundreds of PLCs offered by Colleges of Further Education all over the country. Further details are available on www.fetchcourses.ie, and an extensive range of courses for progression are offered by Kerry College of Further Education (KCFE), see www.kerrycollege.ie. Killarney Community College also offers a very successful and long-running PLC course locally in Office Administration, see www.killarneycc.ie.

Traineeships are programmes of structured training which combines learning in an education and training setting and in a workplace, aiming to improve employment outcomes for participants by giving them the opportunity to develop cutting edge skills and knowledge on-the-job, making them more skilled, more employable and enhancing their career options. Trainees can be school leavers, mature learners, people in employment and out of employment. Currently, there are over 70 traineeship programmes available around the country with new traineeships being developed on an ongoing basis across a range of industries and sectors in response to identified skill needs. For further details see www.traineeship.ie and for details of programmes currently open for registration see www.fetchcourses.ie.

Apprenticeships are programmes which alternate learning in the workplace with learning in an education or training centre by blending a combination of on-the-job employer-based training and off-the-job training which prepares participants for a specific occupation and leads to a recognised qualification. See www.apprencticeship.ie for details. The craft apprenticeships such as Engineering, Electrical, Motor and Construction lead to the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft. Since 2016, a wide range of new apprenticeships have been developed in areas as varied as Computers and ICT, MedTech, Insurance, Finance, Accountancy, Logistics and Hospitality. For details of employers that are currently seeking to take on apprentices see www.apprenticeshipjobs.ie.

Kerry College of Further Education and Training is holding an Open Week from March 2 to 6 giving the opportunity to school leavers, jobseekers or those looking to upskill or change career to visit their campuses at Clash Road, Monavalley and Listowel. All details are available on www.kerrycollege.ie/openweek/.

Niamh Dwyer is a Guidance Counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra and is PRO of the Kerry Branch of IGC. Email – careerfocusnow@gmail.com

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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