Forty Further Education and Training (FET) students who finished their studies in May this year, gathered in Letterkenny on Thursday last, 28 November, to receive a wide range of awards from Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB).
They were joined by families, friends, educators, and invited guests at the FET Centre on Letterkenny’s Port Road to celebrate their exceptional achievements and acknowledge their hard work, dedication, and excellence.
The event highlighted the transformative nature of the courses being offered in the centre and more widely throughout the county by Donegal ETB’s FET Service.
Awards were presented by Donegal ETB Chairperson Cllr Donal Coyle across a range of full and part-time courses, including Digital Office Skills and Administration, Early Learning and Care, Health Service Skills, Intellectual Disability Studies and the Leaving Certificate.
Before presenting the awards, Cllr Coyle reflected on the challenges many students faced in returning to education as adults and praised their ability to overcome obstacles, rewrite their stories, and unlock new opportunities for their futures.
Acknowledging the dedication of the staff who played a pivotal role in guiding and empowering the students, Cllr Coyle said, “The certificates you hold today are more than qualifications – they are symbols of resilience, transformation, and new beginnings.”
Cllr. Donal Coyle, Chairperson Donegal ETB speaking at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB), Further Education & Training (FET) Certificate presentation in Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Students and families at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB), Further Education & Training (FET) Certificate presentation in Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Digital Office Skills and Digital Administration Skill Students at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB), Further Education & Training (FET) Certificate presentation in Letterkenny with seated from left Maureen Devenney, Cllr. Donal Coyle, Chairperson Donegal ETB, Anne McHugh, CEO, Donegal ETB, Charles Gourney, Adult Education Officer and Joan Gillespie. Photo Clive Wasson
Leaving Cert Computers students at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB), Further Education & Training (FET) Certificate presentation in Letterkenny also included are Marion Gallagher, Tutor, Aine McLaughlin, VTOS Co-ordinatorETB, Cllr. Donal Coyle, Chairperson Donegal ETB, Anne McHugh, CEO, Donegal ETB, Charles Gourney, Adult Education Officer and Mary McGrath, Tutor. Photo Clive Wasson
Health Service Skills students at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB), Further Education & Training (FET) Certificate presentation in Letterkenny with seated from left Anne Tinney, Trainer Cllr. Donal Coyle, Chairperson Donegal ETB, Anne McHugh, CEO, Donegal ETB, and Charles Gourney, Adult Education Officer. Photo Clive Wasson
Early Learning and Care Students at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB), Further Education & Training (FET) Certificate presentation in Letterkenny. With seated Rebecca Tinney, Tutor Cllr. Donal Coyle, Chairperson Donegal ETB, Anne McHugh, CEO, Donegal ETB and Charles Gourney, Adult Education Officer. Photo Clive Wasson
Intellectual Disability practice Student at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB), Further Education & Training (FET) Certificate presentation in Letterkenny. front from left Vima Partes and Kira O’Donnell. Back from left Conie McGranaghan, Turto, Cllr. Donal Coyle, Chairperson Donegal ETB, Anne McHugh, CEO, Donegal ETB and Charles Gourney, Adult Education Officer. Photo Clive Wasson
ETB FET staff at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB), Further Education & Training (FET) Certificate presenation in Letterkenny. Photo Clive Wasson
Graduates were encouraged to carry forward the lessons of teamwork, self-belief, and perseverance as they embark on new paths in their careers and communities.
Two former students spoke of their own personal learning journeys having been faced with life and career changes. They outlined how their time in the centre was one where they were given the opportunity to develop new skills as well as being supported and enabled throughout their studies.
Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh spoke of the remarkable achievements of the students present and highlighted the many learning pathways available within the ETB’s FET Service, as well as praising the dedication of those being presented with awards.
FET Centre Manager and Adult Education Officer Charles Gorney remarked, “Our awards events are always inspiring. It provides an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students and the tireless dedication of staff. The event also showcases the wider societal impact further education and training has on the communities in Donegal. We are incredibly proud of our students and the impact our centre and staff have made and look forward to seeing our students both past and present continue to thrive.
“Credit needs to be given to all of them for the dedication and commitment they have given in completing the courses and undertaking this step in what will hopefully be a lifelong learning journey,” he added.
The ETB’s FET Centre on the Port Road, Letterkenny offers a range of full and part-time FET programmes from September to May each year which are open to those who wish to continue their studies or progress into either further and higher education or into the workforce.
Further information on courses can be found on Donegal ETB’s website course finder (www.donegaletb.ie/fetcoursefinder) or by contacting the centre by telephone (074 9706047) or email (fetcentreletterkenny@donegaletb.ie).
