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Ahead of Donegal Education and Training Board’s Further Education and Training (FET) Fair on 28 and 29 February in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny, we’re showcasing the experiences of current and former FET students.
A young Greencastle woman is on the road to becoming a Special Needs Assistant after studying for a Post Leaving Certificate in Early Learning and Care.
Alex McClay always knew that she wanted to work with children. As a teen, she took any babysitting opportunity she could. Now aged 20, she’s on her first stepping stone to a career in early years education.
A past pupil of Moville Community College, Alex wasn’t sure what route to go down after her Leaving Cert.
“I was looking at college courses but it was too expensive for me. I didn’t know what to do,” she said.
“I found the course in Buncrana and thank God I got in. It’s a Level 5 programme and it’s a good qualification to get in a year.”
Alex’s course is taught in Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Centre in Buncrana. The one year full-time course offers a mixture of practical work, academic work and work experience. The Early Learning and Care programme is designed to prepare students for work in creches, pre-schools and as Special Needs Assistants but can also act as a foundation for further studies in this area in higher education.
No prior experience is required so nobody feels that they are “thrown in the deep end”, says Alex.
“I thought it was great that the first few weeks gave us an introduction to every module. Everything is explained so well.”
Alex soon discovered a personal passion for understanding children with additional needs.
“The more I looked into it, the more I wanted to take the SNA route to be able to work with children with additional needs in creches.”
The PLC course is tailored to give students the time and flexibility to balance their lives outside the classroom. It is taught three days a week and includes work placement two days per week, which Alex is doing in Busy Bees in Clonmany.
“When I started this course I worried about getting time to work to make money, but you are in from 9am to 3pm, so you can work in the evening or at the weekends. We get loads of time to do our assignments in class so there’s no pressure there,” she said.
Alex, full of praise for the course and her teacher Alison Stevenson, said it was a refreshing change from post-primary school.
“It doesn’t feel like school at all because you’re treated as an adult, you’re not sitting in a class doing the same thing every day. The staff are so helpful and you’re happy to work knowing that you’re going to get something out of it,” she said.
Other modules on the Early Learning and Care programme include Early Childhood Growth and Development, Children’s Rights, Legislation and Regulation, Curriculum Play and Creative Studies, Holistic Care of Children and Understanding and Assisting Children with Additional Needs.
PLC courses are designed for students who have completed their Leaving Certificate and want an extra year to study a specific vocational area. Adults returning to education can also take part and it’s an ideal way to upskill and get back into learning.
Alex adds that there is great support to help all students on their journey.
“You can go to Student Support with any problem. I haven’t used it, but it’s there if you need extra help or if you’re struggling with assignment deadlines.”
Alex did benefit from career guidance from Counsellor Elena Gill, explaining: “It’s a one-on-one appointment where they see how you’re getting on, you can tell what you enjoy doing and they will help you progress and look up courses.”
Alex is confident that she’s on the right path to getting qualifications that she can take anywhere.
“There is a lot of demand for SNAs in childcare, there is a lot of demand for relief staff for people on maternity and sickness. Preschools and creches all around this county are hiring, or you can go anywhere and work.”
Once qualified with a QQI Level 5 award, students can progress to many other courses or directly enter employment in the early years sector. A direct progression pathway exists into the Level 6 Certificate in Early Learning and Care and several other further and higher education courses if considering further studies in the area.
For anyone considering a PLC course or other further education options, Alex recommends talking with Donegal ETB staff, asking the important questions and taking notes.
“I would tell young people to definitely consider a PLC, it can be hard jumping into a college or university degree but I am so happy that I did this year.”
The PLC course completed by Alex is one of a number of QQI Level 5 PLC courses offered by Donegal ETB’s FET Service in three locations (Buncrana, Letterkenny and Stranorlar) – other areas of study include Animal Care, Art, Business, Construction Technology, Health Service Skills, Inclusive Education and Training, Nursing Studies and Sports, Recreation and Exercise. You’ll find their full range of courses across the county on their website, where you can also apply online at any time: www.donegaletb.ie/fetcoursefinder.
Come along to Donegal ETB’s 2024 FET Fair on 28 and 29 February in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny to find out more:
- Wednesday 28 February, 7.00-9.00pm: School leavers, their parents/guardians, Guidance Counsellors and school Principals and Deputies are invited to attend to hear about FET options across the county. Those currently in employment and seeking to upskill are also invited to hear about upskilling opportunities offered by the FET Service.
Panel discussions on FET options (PLCs, traineeships and tertiary degrees), apprenticeships and employee training supports begin at 7.00pm.
- Thursday 29 February, 10.00am-2.00pm: Those who would like information on the wide range of full and part-time education and training opportunities provided by the ETB’s FET Service are invited to come along to speak to staff to find out more. There will be interactive skills demonstrations throughout the day.
Keep an eye on their social media accounts (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) for updates and further details or contact the ETB’s Adult Guidance and Information Service on 074 91 78088, email adultguidance@donegaletb.ie or complete this web form and they’ll get back to you: www.donegaletb.ie/adultguidance.
Ó fheighlíocht leanaí go gairm sa chúram leanaí: Tús á chur ag Alex lena haistear le cúrsa iar-Ardteistiméireachta
Roimh Aonach Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna (FET) Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall ar an 28 agus an 29 Feabhra san óstán Radisson Blu i Leitir Ceanainn, táimid ag cur éispéiris mac léinn reatha agus iarmhac léinn FET os comhair an phobail.
Tá bean óg as an gCaisleán Nua ar an mbealach le bheith ina Cúntóir Riachtanas Speisialta (CRS) i ndiaidh di tabhairt faoi chúrsa iar-Ardteistiméireachta i bhFoghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige.
Bhí a fhios ag Alex McClay i gcónaí gur theastaigh uaithi oibriú le leanaí. Agus í ina déagóir, thapaigh sí gach deis aire a thabhairt do leanaí. Tá sí 20 bliain d’aois anois agus tá sí ar an gcéad chéim chun gairm san oideachas luath-óige a bhaint amach.
Iardhaltaí de chuid Choláiste Pobail Bhun an Phobail í Alex agus ní raibh a fhios aici céard a bhí uaithi i ndiaidh na hArdteistiméireachta.
“Bhí mé ag féachaint ar chúrsaí ollscoile agus bhí siad róchostasach dom. Ní raibh a fhios agam cad ba cheart dom a dhéanamh,” a dúirt sí.
“Tháinig mé ar an gcúrsa i mBun Cranncha agus fuair mé áit air, buíochas mór le Dia. Is clár Leibhéal 5 é agus is cáilíocht mhaith í le fáil laistigh de bhliain amháin.”
Múintear cúrsa Alex in Ionad Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna (FET) Bun Cranncha atá á reáchtáil ag ETB Dhún na nGall. Tá meascán d’obair phraiticiúil, obair acadúil agus taithí oibre i gceist leis an gcúrsa lánaimseartha bliana seo. Tá an clár um Fhoghlaim agus Chúram na Luath-Óige deartha chun daltaí a ullmhú ionas go mbeidh siad réidh le hobair i naíolanna, réamhscoileanna agus mar Chúntóirí Riachtanas Speisialta ach anuas air sin d’fhéadfadh sé a bheith mar bhunús le haghaidh staidéir bhreise sa réimse sin san ardoideachas.
Níl taithí roimh ré ag teastáil agus mar sin ní bhraitheann duine ar bith gur “caitheadh isteach sa bhearna bhaoil” iad, a dúirt Alex.
“Sna chéad chúpla seachtain thug siad réamhrá dúinn ar gach modúl agus cheap mé go raibh sé sin iontach ar fad. Mínítear gach rud ar bhealach atá iontach soiléir.”
Early Learning & Care PLC student Alex McClay
Thuig Alex go luath go raibh paisean pearsanta aici chun leanaí a bhfuil riachtanais bhreise acu a thuiscint i gceart.
“Dá mhéad taighde a rinne mé, is ea is mó a thuig mé go raibh mé ag iarraidh an bealach CRS a thógáil le go mbeinn in ann oibriú le leanaí a bhfuil riachtanais bhreise acu i naíolanna.”
Tá an cúrsa iar-Ardteistiméireachta (PLC) saindeartha chun am agus solúbthacht a thabhairt do dhaltaí ionas go mbeidh siad in ann cothromaíocht a aimsiú ina saol lasmuigh den seomra ranga. Áirítear leis an gcúrsa trí lá teagaisc in aghaidh na seachtaine chomh maith le dhá lá in aghaidh na seachtaine le haghaidh socrúcháin oibre. Tá a cuid socrúcháin oibre féin á dhéanamh ag Alex in Busy Bees i gCluain Maine.
“Nuair a thosaigh mé ar an gcúrsa seo bhí imní orm nach mbeadh am go leor agam post a bheith agam chun airgead a thuilleamh ach bíonn an cúrsa ar siúl ó 9am go 3pm agus mar sin bíonn tú in ann oibriú sa tráthnóna nó ag an deireadh seachtaine. Bíonn go leor ama againn chun ár gcuid tascanna a dhéanamh sa rang agus mar sin ní bhíonn aon bhrú i gceist leo,” a dúirt sí.
Dúirt Alex, atá iontach sásta leis an gcúrsa agus lena múinteoir Alison Stevenson, gur athrú deas é an cúrsa ón iar-bhunscoil.
“Tá sé an-difriúil ón scoil mar caitear leat mar dhuine fásta ach ní bhíonn tú i do shuí i rang ag déanamh an rud céanna gach lá. Tá an fhoireann an-chabhrach ar fad agus bíonn tú sásta obair a chur isteach mar tuigeann tú go mbainfidh tú rud éigin as,” a dúirt sí.
I measc na modúl eile a bhíonn i gceist sa chlár um Fhoghlaim agus Chúram na Luath-Óige tá Fás agus Forbairt na Luath-Óige, Cearta Leanaí, Reachtaíocht agus Rialachán, Súgradh agus Staidéar Cruthaitheach an Churaclaim, Cúram Iomlánaíoch Leanaí agus Cúnamh a Thabhairt do Leanaí a bhfuil Riachtanais Bhreise acu.
Tá cúrsaí PLC deartha do dhaltaí a bhfuil an Ardteistiméireacht déanta acu agus a bhfuil bliain bhreise uathu chun staidéar a dhéanamh ar shainréimse gairme. Is féidir le daoine fásta atá ag filleadh ar an oideachas páirt a ghlacadh fosta agus is bealach iontach é chun scileanna a fheabhsú agus dul ar ais i mbun foghlama.
Deir Alex fosta go bhfuil tacaíocht iontach ar fáil chun cabhrú le gach dalta ar a n-aistear.
“Má tá fadhb ar bith agat, is féidir leat dul chuig Tacaíocht do Dhaltaí. Níor bhain mé féin úsáid as an tseirbhís go fóill ach bíonn sí i gcónaí ann má tá cabhair bhreise uait nó má tá tú ag streachailt le spriocdhátaí tascanna.”
Bhain Alex leas as gairmthreoir ón gComhairleoir Elena Gill. Agus í ag labhairt faoin tseirbhís sin, dúirt Alex: “Is coinne duine ar dhuine í ina bhfaightear amach conas atá ag éirí leat. Is féidir leat a insint dóibh cad iad na rudaí a mbaineann tú an taitneamh is mó astu agus cabhróidh siad leat dul chun cinn a dhéanamh agus cúrsaí eile a aimsiú.”
Tá Alex muiníneach go bhfuil sí ar an mbealach ceart chun cáilíochtaí a mbeidh sí in ann tabhairt léi áit ar bith a fháil.
“Tá an-éileamh ar CRSanna i gcúram leanaí lena n-áirítear an-éileamh ar fhoireann ionaid do dhaoine atá ar shaoire mháithreachais agus ar shaoire bhreoiteachta. Tá réamhscoileanna agus naíolanna ar fud an chontae ag fostú, nó d’fhéadfá dul áit ar bith chun obair a fháil.”
Nuair a bhronntar dámhachtain QQI Leibhéal 5 orthu, féadfaidh daltaí dul ar aghaidh chuig go leor cúrsaí eile nó féadfaidh siad dul isteach go díreach i bhfostaíocht in earnáil na luathbhlianta. Tá conair ann le go bhféadfadh daltaí dul díreach isteach sa Teastas Leibhéal 6 i bhFoghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige mar aon le go leor cúrsaí breisoideachais agus ardoideachais eile má táthar ag smaoineamh ar staidéar breise a dhéanamh sa réimse sin.
Má tá duine ar bith ann atá ag smaoineamh ar chúrsa PLC nó ar roghanna breisoideachais eile, molann Alex labhairt le foireann ETB Dhún na nGall agus ceisteanna tábhachtacha a chur orthu agus nótaí a breacadh síos.
“Déarfainn le daoine óga machnamh a dhéanamh ar chúrsa PLC. D’fhéadfadh sé a bheith deacair tabhairt faoi chéim choláiste nó ollscoile ach tá mé an-sásta go ndearna mé é sin i mbliana.”
Tá an cúrsa PLC a bhain Alex amach ar cheann de na cúrsaí PLC QQI Leibhéal 5 atá á dtáirgeadh ag Seirbhís FET ETB Dhún na nGall i dtrí láthair (Bun Cranncha, Leitir Ceanainn agus Sraith an Urláir) – i measc réimsí staidéir eile tá Cúram Ainmhithe, Ealaín, Gnó, Teicneolaíocht Foirgníochta, Scileanna Seirbhíse Sláinte, Oideachas agus Oiliúint Ionchuimsitheach, Staidéar Altranais agus Spóirt, Áineas agus Aclaíocht. Tá a raon iomlán cúrsaí ar fud an chontae le fáil ar a suíomh gréasáin, áit ar féidir leat iarratas a dhéanamh ar líne am ar bith fosta: www.donegaletb.ie/fetcoursefinder.
Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil, bígí linn ag Aonach FET ETB Dhún na nGall 2024 ar an 28 agus an 29 Feabhra san Óstán Radisson Blu i Leitir Ceanainn:
- Dé Céadaoin an 28 Feabhra, 7.00-9.00pm: Tugtar cuireadh do lucht fágála scoile, a gcuid tuistí/caomhnóirí, Comhairleoirí Gairmthreorach agus Príomhoidí agus Príomhoidí Tánaisteacha scoile freastal chun cloisteáil faoi roghanna FET ar fud an chontae. Tugtar cuireadh fosta dóibh siúd atá fostaithe faoi láthair agus atá ag iarraidh uas-sciliú cloisteáil faoi na deiseanna uas-scilithe a thairgtear tríd an tSeirbhís FET.
Cuirfear tús le pléití painéil ar roghanna FET (cúrsaí iar-Ardteistiméireachta, cúrsaí oiliúna agus céimeanna triú leibhéal), printíseachtaí agus tacaíochtaí oiliúna fostaithe ag 7.00pm.
- Déardaoin an 29 Feabhra, 10.00am-2.00pm: Tugtar cuireadh dóibh siúd ar mhaith leo eolas maidir leis an raon leathan deiseanna oideachais agus oiliúna lánaimseartha agus páirtaimseartha atá á gcur ar fáil ag Seirbhís FET ETB teacht chun labhairt leis an bhfoireann chun tuilleadh a fháil amach. Beidh taispeántais scileanna idirghníomhacha ar siúl i rith an lae.
Coinnigh súil ar a gcuntais meán sóisialta (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram agus LinkedIn) faoi choinne nuashonruithe agus sonraí breise, nó téigh i dteagmháil le Seirbhís Treorach agus Eolais d’Aosaigh ETB ar 074 91 78088, ríomhphost adultguidance@donegaletb.ie, nó comhlánaigh an fhoirm ghréasáin seo, agus rachaidh siad i dteagmháil leat: www.donegaletb.ie/adultguidance.
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