DOING THE BUSINESS: Donegal Daily in conjunction with the ETB will be profiling a number of individuals and businesses who have successfully graduated from one of the many training programmes ETB has to offer.
As the ETB hold open days to promote their latest diverse range of courses, Donegal Daily spoke with Carmel O’Toole, 58, from Killybegs. Carmel completed a 30-week Computer and Multimedia Training Course which launched her into an entirely new world of computers.
The Open Day for the next Killybegs Computer & Multimedia Course is on Wednesday 18th Jan 2017, 11 am to 3 pm at Atlantic Marine House.
Carmel came into the course as a complete computer novice. She has been working in a factory in Donegal when she was made redundant, which came as a huge shock to her.
“When the factory closed I thought ‘this is it’. When you live in a rural area it’s not so easy to find another job. Every job advert I looked at said you had to have computer experience,” Carmel said.
“The night before the course I had to ask my son how to turn on the computer! I didn’t have any interest in them at all but I knew I needed computer experience if I was to find employment,” she said.
The programme Carmel took on in 2007 had students of a variety of experience levels. Carmel began as a complete beginner and learned the basics within a small group. Other students studied ECDL and other computer skills at their own level.
Carmel soon found her feet with the guidance of tutor Philip Kemp. “I found the course very good and very helpful, I got into it then and went on to do ECDL,” she said.
“The feeling was just fantastic when I was told I had passed my exams. I was so nervous doing the first exams as I hadn’t done an exam since leaving school. As time went on I got used to the tests.”
Carmel progressed in her studies to gain more advanced computer skills after the training programme. With more than a few certificates under her belt, she began job searching again and got a temporary role at United Fish Industries. This soon led to a permanent job and she has been working with the company for the past five years.
“My computer knowledge was a great advantage for me getting back into the office again. I work in the administration department, where we are very busy covering everything from invoicing to wages.”
“I wouldn’t be working today if I hadn’t done the course. In a way, being made redundant from the factory was a blessing because I wouldn’t have made the effort to learn computing. I could still be here not knowing how to turn the machines on!,” Carmel said.
The Open Day for the Killybegs Computer & Multimedia Course is on Wednesday 18th Jan 2017, 11 am to 3 pm.
Venue: Atlantic Marine House, Donegal Road, Killybegs (Just opposite Community Hospital)
On this programme, tutors work with small groups of participants and specialise in ECDL, ECDL Advanced, Web Design, and Computer Aided Drawing (2D CAD). If you are a school leaver, unemployed, looking to upgrade your skills, or just curious about what they may be able to offer you call in and see them.
For further information on these programs and others contact Sarah on 074-9120542
Email for course inquiries: coursesdonegaltc@donegaletb.ie
Visit www.donegaletb.ie
Click here for more details on the course.
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