Address:	Moynehall Co. Cavan
Contact:	Mr Diarmuid Wilson, Co-Ordinator
Phone:	(049) 4361573
Email	info@cavanyouthreach.ie

YOUTHREACH

• Youthreach is a two year training course geared to meet your specific requirements and work experience.
  

• Youthreach bridges the gap between school and employment.
  

• Youthreach paves the way for the young to become employed adults
  
  For more information about Youthreach click here >>
  

Cavan Youthreach Training Centre

Cavan Youthreach Training Centre was established in 1989 under the auspices of Cavan Vocational Educational Committee. The emphasis of the Centre revolves mainly around practical modules, but literacy, numeracy, mathematics and computer skills are given equal importance on the timetable.

The Centre serves Cavan Town and hinterlands. Cavan Youthreach Training Centre is located in a Business Retail Park on the outskirts of town. The unit houses the co-ordinator's office, an administration office, woodwork room, a kitchen, a dining room, computer room, Craft Room, 5 general classrooms and a staff room. The sports element of the programme takes place at the Tullacmongan Resource Centre, Co Cavan Leisure and Sports Complex and Cavan Youth Project Bridge St

Staffing

Cavan youthreach has 13 staff members: 5 employed on a full-time basis

Diarmuid Wilson - Co-ordinator
Sabrina McEntee - Resource Person/ IT
Maria O'Connor - Resource Person/ Communications/ Crime Awareness
Mary McKenna - Resource Person / Communications/SPHE
Marie Reilly - Glass Craft / Work Experience
Angela McEntee - Food & Nutrition / Food & Cookery
Conal Clarke - Mathematics / Sport
Patsy McIntyre - Horticulture
Fiachra Keogh - Living in a Diverse Society / Understanding interculturism
Gemma Fitzsimons - Beauty
Karen Fitzsimons - Hairdressing
Laura Shaughnessy - Geography / Childcare

Youthreach Programme
Acknowledging the fact that most early school leavers associate learning with failure
the programme is structured around three phases:

• An engagement phase in which the trainee's needs are identified and an individual learning plan is negotiated, within the Centre's capacity.

• The Foundation Phase adopts a low threshold approach to learning enabling
participants to overcome barriers, develop self-confidence and gain a range of
competencies essential for further learning.

•The Progression Phase offers more specific training and work experience plays a
large part. An increasing number are continuing their education through Cavan
College of Further Studies


Assessment
The Further Education & Training Awards Council (FETAC) is a nationally recognized assessment and certification system for vocational education and training. It is a modular, portfolio system where trainees build portfolios in subjects, at their own pace. It is only submitted for assessment when the tutor is satisfied that the required amount of work is completed.

External examiners from FETAC examine the portfolios, if the content does not meet the criteria laid out in the module descriptor then the portfolio is returned uncertified. There is no such thing as failure, the trainee may resubmit when all tasks are completed. Assessment takes place in April and November of each year.

The Centre offers pre-vocational modules in Art & Crafts, Food & Nutrition, Mathematics, Woodcraft, Computers, Horse Riding, Swimming, Communications / Personal Effectiveness and Childcare. These modules when completed, usually at Foundation Level can be used as a means of progression to employment or as a return to mainstream education. Students can start with low literacy levels and no qualifications, and can choose modules to work on, building on these to achieve the full National Certificate.

Tutors involved develop tailor made programmes to suit individual needs, based on the specific learning outcomes of the module descriptors.

Wider Horizons Programme
Since 1992 Cavan Youthreach Centre has been involved in the Wider Horizons Programme. This programme is funded by the International Fund for Ireland and involves young people from similar backgrounds both North and South who undertake intensive vocationally based training and work placement while promoting mutual understanding. It involves an 8 – 12 week period abroad. To date trainees have been to the United States of America, Australia and Canada.

Extra Curricular Activities
Extra curricular activities are perceived to be of vital importance by management, staff and trainees alike. There is an emphasis on sport and drama, both of which ease out frustration and promote good relationships. Day trips to places of interest also help in this respect.

Supports
The ‘Copping On Programme’ fosters links between the Garda Liaison Officer, Youth Workers and the Centre.

Visiting Teacher Service for Traveller Education
The aim of the Visiting Teacher Service (VTS) is that trainees from a Traveller background should participate fully in an intercultural and anti-racist system. The Visiting Teacher visits the Centre to support the work of the tutors in the provision of high quality training and education for the Travellers.

Learning Support
Learning support provision has been established in Cavan Youthreach since September 2002. The need for learning support has been evident since the introduction of NCVA / FETAC assessment modules.

Referrals Procedures
Trainees are referred to Youthreach by schools, social workers, probation & welfare, or simply self-referral.

Cavan Youthreach staff and trainees are proud of their achievements over the past fifteen years. Evaluations repeatedly report that participants highly value their experience on the programme and recommend it to others. One young person who left school at 14 voiced his opinion about Cavan Youthreach

"....I had no interest in learning when I went out there, I was frustrated with being out of school and just hanging around. I refused to do anything. I used to mess and put the head off the staff but the tutors were calm and they listened to me .... I wasn't forced to do things that I had no interest in. They helped me to discover the things that I was good at .... then I wanted to find out more"