Kerry College of Further Education and Training held its graduation in the Brandon Hotel on Thursday last.

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GRADUATION: Students from Kerry College of Further Education and Training graduated in the Brandon Hotel on Thursday last.

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It was the first in-person graduation since Kerry College was established by Kerry Education and Training Board (KETB) in 2019, making it Ireland’s first integrated college of Further Education and Training.

Over 500 graduates from Kerry College’s Clash, Denny Street, Killorglin, Listowel and Monavalley campuses along with their families and friends gathered at the Brandon Hotel to celebrate the occasion. They were joined by board members from the KETB, Kerry College Board of Governance as well as other distinguished guests.

At the ceremony certificates were presented to graduates in the areas of Business, Administration and Finance, Computing and Information Technology, Construction and Built Environment, Creative Arts, Education and Childcare, Engineering, Hair and Beauty, Healthcare and Social Sciences, Renewable Technologies, Transmission and Distribution, Retail, Science and Nutrition, Sports, Physical Therapy and Coaching, Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, and Transport and Logistics.

Special guest speaker was Dr Karen Weekes – Endurance Adventurer, Performance Psychologist and University lecturer who delivered an inspirational speech and left the audience energised.

Chairman of Kerry ETB, Cllr Jim Finucane, wished the graduates well in their future careers and said it was a privilege to facilitate them in their personal journey.

Addressing the graduates, Director of Further Education and Training, Kerry ETB, Mr Owen O’Donnell said that he was delighted to be in attendance to mark this important milestone in the graduate's journey. He congratulated the graduates, acknowledged all their hard work, and wished them well in their life-long learning journey.

Niall Collins, TD Minister of State with responsibility for Skills and Further Education at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said “the diversity of Further Education and Training (FET) is one of its key strengths. It reflects the communities across the country; the diverse backgrounds of the learners who engage with it and also address the multiple needs that can help our society. And Kerry College exemplifies this diversity.

“I want to congratulate everyone graduating today. Your presence here today is a testament, first and foremost to your own skills and hard work, and I hope you are able to reflect and be truly proud of yourselves for what you have achieved.

“And of course, today is also a testament to the dedication of the staff here at the campus. Their unwavering commitment and sheer dedication to go out of their way to support their students in education is second to none.”