Youthreach
YOUTHREACH is an integral part of the national programme of second-chance education and training in Ireland and is a central part of the Government's contribution to the achievement of a lifelong learning society.
The programme is directed at unemployed young early school leavers aged 15-20. It offers participants the opportunity to identify and pursue viable options within adult life, and provides them with opportunities to acquire certification. It operates on a full-time, year-round basis.
What do we do in Youthreach?
Youthreach offers a flexible and dynamic programme of integrated general education, vocational training and work experience. Learners set personal and educational goals that increase their self-esteem, skill and knowledge base and employability. Essential course elements include Personal and Social Development, Vocational Skills and Communications Skills.
- personal development and exploration;
- identification of needs, interests and capacities;
- setting learning goals
- sampling general vocational skills;
- development of specific aptitudes;
- work experience;
- literacy and numeracy development.
In order to apply for the Youthreach Programme you must be:
- Unemployed
- Aged between 15 and 20 years of age
Immediate Bonuses
- A training allowance is payable
- Training, work experience
- No fees
- The opportunity for qualifications
Long term bonuses
- Knowing yourself
- Discovering your ability
- Getting a job
- Contributing to your community
If you want further information please follow the link below to your local Youthreach centre:
Youthreach Foundation, Navan
Youthreach Progression/Hi-Way, Navan
Youthreach Kells
Youthreach Trim
Youthreach Ashbourne
Youthreach Laytown/Bettystown
YOUTHREACH IS AN EU AIDED PROGRAMME
Youthreach is funded by the Department of Education and Science
with the assistance of the European Social Fund, as part of the
National Development Plan 2007-2013.
Click here for the European Social Fund website
PROGRAMMES
VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunties Scheme)
The VTOS scheme is a special range of courses designed to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people. VTOS aims to provide unemployed adults with a broad range of educational and training opportunities and to encourage staff and students to be forward looking. We strive to empower individual students to fulfil their potential, whist, at the same time, fostering a group ethos on the course and extending to the wider community. VTOS classes are held in two of the Adult Education centres in County Meath - Navan and Kells. Courses are full time 5 days a week for one or two years. Certification is available at a range of levels including Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, FETAC, City & Guilds and PLC Level.
BTEI
The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time courses for young people and adults, especially those who have not completed Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) qualification. The BTEI creates an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities. Anyone who has left full-time education can take part in a course, but priority will be given to those with less than upper second level education. You qualify for FREE tuition if you have not completed your education to Leaving Certificate standard.
ADULT LITERACY
County Meath VEC is the major provider of literacy tuition with Centres in Trim, Navan, Kells, South Meath and East Meath. Each Centre is staffed by an Adult Literacy Organiser and a number of tutors working on a one to one basis or with groups. In the past five years the numbers accessing the service has quadrupled and in 2006 the number of clients was 610. The service is free and confidential and tutors are trained locally with further support from the VEC, the National Adult Literacy Agency and Waterford Institute of Technology. Provision includes day-time and night-time classes.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Traditionally, we think of adult education as providing courses in certain locations and encouraging individuals to take part. Community education is almost the reverse; it is about going to communities. It involves targeting groups/communities, identifying their educational needs and designing courses around those needs in a collaborative manner.