Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Fair takes place from 23-24 November in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny.
The Fair, which focuses exclusively on Donegal ETB’s extensive FET provision across the county, makes a welcome, in person, return after a three year absence, having attracted around a thousand young people and adults annually, pre-pandemic.
The session on Wednesday 23 November, from 7.00-9.00pm, is aimed at Leaving Certificate students and their parents/guardians, school guidance counsellors and Principals. With the number of school leavers choosing FET as their first preference increasing steadily, the ETB’s FET staff will outline the many options available across the county, including Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, specific skills training courses, traineeships and apprenticeships and explain first-hand what the benefits of FET are for school leavers.
ETB FET Fair. Photo Clive Wasson
Speaking about the evening session on 23 November, Donegal ETB’s Director of Schools, Dr Martin Gormley said, “It is important that students and parents consider Further Education and Training (FET) as a possible pathway for progression. Graduates from apprenticeships, Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) and other FET courses are also rated highly by employers in areas such as team-working, commercial awareness and entrepreneurial skills. At the heart of our FET provision there are so many engaged learning opportunities.”
The Wednesday evening session is also aimed at those currently working and seeking to upskill. Information will be provided about free or subsidised part-time training opportunities from Levels 4-6 or for low skilled workers who, without participation in training, may not have the confidence to embrace change in the workplace. Recognition of Prior Learning opportunities will also be highlighted.
On Thursday 24 November from 10.00am-2.00pm, the Fair is open to those who want information on the wide range of full and part-time education and training opportunities offered by the ETB’s FET Service. Tutors and advisers will be available to talk through the ETB’s wide range of opportunities and those attending can also speak to current students to find out first-hand what it is like to undertake a Donegal ETB FET course.
Get first-hand tasters of the courses on offer at the Donegal ETB FET fair. Photo Clive Wasson
Donegal ETB’s Director of FET, Ciaran O’Brien said, “Our Service offers a comprehensive range of opportunities with qualifications including QQI, City & Guilds and industry-specific certification that allow students to choose their next best step. People should take the time on 23 and 24 November to find out how the FET Service can help them to go further in developing their skills through this wide range of options right here on their doorstep.”
In 2021, almost 7,000 FET students completed courses in more than 120 venues, making Donegal ETB the largest FET provider in the county, offering opportunities to retrain, upskill, get on the job work experience and progress onto further and higher education. Many of the courses are funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
Over the coming days ahead of the FET Fair on 23 and 24 November in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny, we will be showcasing the experiences of previous students who have completed courses with the ETB’s FET Service.
For more information, contact Donegal ETB’s Adult Guidance and Information Service on 074 9178088 or email adultguidance@donegaletb.ie and keep an eye on Donegal ETB’s website (www.donegaletb.ie/news) and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn) for updates.
