A Letterkenny woman who is embarking on a new career path in her 50s is looking forward to a role in the classroom as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA).
After 20 years with a multinational firm in Letterkenny, Lisa Doherty took the leap into a Pathways course in Special Needs Assisting and Early Learning Studies with Donegal Education and Training Board’s (ETB’s) Further Education and Training (FET) Service.
Lisa admits it was a bold move to leave her established career for a new sector. However, the joy she’s getting from her work experience in a local primary school over the past year has shown her that she’s on the right path.
“I love it. It’s the best thing I ever did,” Lisa tells Donegal Daily.
“It was a scary move at the same time. I was out of education for well over 30 years, and I was at Optum for 21 years. I loved my job, and they are a great employer, but when I hit my 50s, something changed.”
Lisa’s Pathways course is one of several programmes designed to allow students to further their studies and explore employment opportunities in their chosen fields. Donegal ETB also provides pathway courses in Business, Healthcare and Nursing, Science, and Health and Fitness.
Returning to the classroom takes some adjustment, but Lisa found friendly support from the moment she arrived at the FET centre on Letterkenny’s Port Road.
“All the teaching staff were unbelievably good; even the ladies at the front desk were brilliant to us all,” Lisa said.
“This course is so doable. It has brought me on so much to believe that any of us are capable of something in the right environment and with people supporting you.”
Lisa Doherty is undertaking a Pathway course to Special Needs Assisting and Early Learning Studies
The subjects are taught during parent-friendly hours, with four days of training and one day of work experience per week.
Modules cover IT skills, SNA studies, English and communications, maths, personal effectiveness, childcare and safety, child development and play.
“It’s very varied,” said Lisa. “And you get an hour after classes every day if you want to stay behind and get extra help.”
“I never enjoyed maths in school, but I found the teachers here very good, and I’m not afraid anymore. At one time, I would have dreaded maths,” Lisa said.
Lisa’s work experience placement has further solidified her belief that she’s on track for a job she loves.
“I actually went to the same school where I’m doing my placement now. I couldn’t believe how it has all fallen into place for me since I started this course,” she said.
“The kids are just so adorable. You learn so much; it opens your eyes to all that goes on in a classroom and the need for special needs assistants.”
In just one year of training (September to May), students gain a QQI Level 4 from the Pathways course. It can open doors for people to go directly into employment or provide a stepping stone to further education or training.
Lisa hopes to find a job after completing the programme.
“I could enrol on another course if I want to go up to Level 5, but I think for me, if I complete this, I want to go straight back into working,” she said.
When asked if she would recommend Pathway courses, she said: “100%. Particularly for older individuals, I think we have a lot to give. I have my three children reared, and even though it’s scary making the jump, you know in yourself it feels right.
“I don’t regret anything I’ve done up to this point in my career, but this is me now. I feel this is the route I want to go.”
Charles Gorney, Adult Education Organiser, says the ‘Pathways’ courses are specifically designed to equip students with a diverse range of skills and support to explore their chosen field.
He said: “Our ‘Pathways’ courses empower students to develop essential personal and professional skills, including communication, computer proficiency, and personal effectiveness while giving specific skills in their chosen area of study including, Business, Health, Early Years and Special Needs, Science and Exercise and Fitness. Extracurricular activities and other supports including field trips, and workshops complement the studies. Support services like digital device loans and career guidance all help support and enhance the learning experience.”
Donegal ETB’s FET Service is now accepting applications for a number of Pathway courses in its FET Centre on the Port Road in Letterkenny this Autumn – apply through the links below.
- Pathway to Business Studies: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=483267
- Pathway to HealthCare and Nursing Studies: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=483268
- /Pathway to Special Needs Assisting and Early Learning Studies: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=483324
- Pathway to Science Studies: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=484037
- Pathway to Health and Fitness Studies: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=484044
Bean as Leitir Ceanainn ar chonair nua chuig athrú gairme
Tá bean as Leitir Ceanainn atá ag tosú ar chonair nua gairme agus í ina cuid 50idí ag dúil le ról sa seomra ranga mar Chúntóir Riachtanas Speisialta (CRS).
I ndiaidh di 20 bliain a chaitheamh le gnólacht ilnáisiúnta i Leitir Ceanainn, rinne Lisa Doherty athrú mór nuair a chuir sí tús le cúrsa Conair i gCúntóireacht Riachtanas Speisialta agus Foghlaim na Luath-Óige le Seirbhís Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna (FET) Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna (ETB) Dhún na nGall.
Admhaíonn Lisa gur athrú cróga a bhí ann a slí bheatha seanbhunaithe a fhágáil le bogadh chuig earnáil nua. Mar sin féin, léiríonn an lúcháir atá á fáil aici óna taithí oibre i mbunscoil áitiúil le bliain anuas di go ndearna sí an cinneadh ceart.
“Is breá liom é. Is é an rud is fearr a rinne mé riamh,” arsa Lisa le Donegal Daily.
“Athrú scáfar a bhí ann ag an am chéanna. Bhí mé ar shiúl ón oideachas le breis agus 30 bliain, agus bhí mé ag Optum ar feadh 21 bhliain. Bhain mé an-sult as mo phost, agus is fostóir iontach iad, ach nuair a bhain mé na 50idí amach, athraíodh rud inteacht.”
Tá cúrsa Conair Lisa ar cheann de roinnt clár atá deartha chun ligean do mhic léinn dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ina gcuid staidéir agus deiseanna fostaíochta a fhiosrú ina réimsí roghnaithe. Cuireann ETB Dhún na nGall cúrsaí conair ar fáil fosta i nGnó, i gCúram Sláinte agus Altranais, san Eolaíocht, agus i Sláinte agus Corpacmhainne.
Bíonn gá le hoiriúnú beag agus tú ag dul ar ais chuig an seomra ranga, ach fuair Lisa tacaíocht chairdiúil a luaithe is a shiúil sí isteach san ionad FET ar Bhóthar an Phoirt i Leitir Ceanainn.
“Bhí an fhoireann teagaisc ar fad millteanach maith; fiú na mná ag an deasc fáiltithe, bhí siad an-mhaith dúinn uilig,” a dúirt Lisa.
“Tá an cúrsa seo go breá indéanta. Bhain mé an oiread tairbhe as a bheith feasach go bhfuil duine ar bith againn ábalta rud ar bith a dhéanamh má tá muid sa timpeallacht cheart agus má tá daoine ag tacú linn.”
Déantar na hábhair uilig a theagasc le linn uaireanta atá fóirsteanach do thuismitheoirí, le ceithre lá oiliúna agus lá amháin de thaithí oibre in aghaidh na seachtaine.
Clúdaíonn na modúil scileanna TF, staidéir CRS, Béarla agus cumarsáid, matamaitic, éifeachtacht phearsanta, cúram agus sábháilteacht leanaí, forbairt agus súgradh leanaí.
“Tá sé an-éagsúil,” a dúirt Lisa. “Agus faigheann tú uair an chloig i ndiaidh ranganna achan lá má tá tú ag iarraidh fanacht siar agus cuidiú breise a fháil.”
“Níor bhain mé sult dá laghad as an mhatamaitic ar scoil riamh, ach shíl mé go raibh na múinteoirí anseo iontach maith, agus níl eagla orm a thuilleadh. Tráth dá raibh, bhíodh eagla mo bheatha orm roimh an mhata,” a dúirt Lisa.
Lena socrúchán taithí oibre, daingníodh tuairim Lisa go bhfuil sí ar an bhóthar ceart chun post a bhfuil a croí istigh ann a bhaint amach.
“D’fhreastail mé ar an scoil ina bhfuil mo thaithí oibre á cur i gcrích agam, creid é nó ná creid. Ba dhoiligh dom an dóigh ar tháinig achan rud le chéile a chreidbheáil ó chuir mé tús leis an chúrsa seo,” a dúirt sí.
“Tá na páistí gleoite. Foghlaimíonn tú an oiread sin; osclaíonn sé do chuid súl d achan rud a tharlaíonn i seomra ranga agus don ghá a bhaineann le cúntóirí riachtanas speisialta.”
In aon bhliain oiliúna amháin (Meán Fómhair go Bealtaine), faigheann mic léinn DCCÉ Leibhéal 4 ón chúrsa Conairí. Is féidir leis doirse a oscailt do dhaoine chun dul díreach isteach i bhfostaíocht nó céim chun cinn a ghlacadh chuig breisoideachas nó oiliúint.
Tá súil ag Lisa post a fháil i ndiaidh di an clár a thabhairt i gcrích.
“D’fhéadfainn clárú ar chúrsa eile má tá mé ag iarraidh dul ar aghaidh chuig Leibhéal 5, ach i mo chás féin, má chuirfidh mé é seo i gcrích, ba mhaith liom dul díreach ar ais chuig an obair,” a dúirt sí.
Nuair a fiafraíodh di cé acu an mholfadh sí cúrsaí Conairí, dúirt sí: “100%. Go háirithe do dhaoine níos sine, creidim go bhfuil an-chuid sochair gur féidir linn a dhéanamh. Tá mo thriúr páistí tógtha agam, agus cé go mbíonn sé scáfar an t-athrú a dhéanamh, bíonn a fhios agat ionat féin gurb é an rud ceart atá ann.
“Níl aiféala ar bith orm faoi rud ar bith a rinne mé go dtí seo i mo ghairm bheatha, ach seo mé anois. Mothaím gurb é seo an bealach a bhfuil mé ag iarraidh dul.”
Deir Charles Gorney, Eagraí Oideachais d’Aosaigh, go bhfuil na cúrsaí ‘Conairí’ deartha go sonrach chun raon ilghnéitheach scileanna agus tacaíochta a thabhairt do mhic léinn chun an réimse a bhfuil suim acu ann a fhiosrú.
Dúirt sé: “Cumhachtaítear mic léinn lenár gcúrsaí ‘Conairí’ chun scileanna pearsanta agus gairmiúla riachtanacha a fhorbairt, lena n-áirítear cumarsáid, inniúlacht ríomhaireachta, agus éifeachtacht phearsanta, agus scileanna sonracha á gcur ar fáil ag an am chéanna ina rogha réimse staidéir lena n-áirítear Gnó, Sláinte, Luathbhlianta agus Riachtanais Speisialta, Eolaíocht agus Corpacmhainne. Cuireann gníomhaíochtaí seach-churaclaim agus tacaíochtaí eile leis na staidéir, lena n-áirítear turais allamuigh agus ceardlanna. Cuidíonn seirbhísí tacaíochta cosúil le hiasachtaí gléasanna digiteacha agus gairmthreoir le tacaíocht a thabhairt don eispéireas foghlama agus leis an eispéireas foghlama a fheabhsú.”
Tá Seirbhís FET ETB Dhún na nGall ag glacadh le hiarratais ar roinnt cúrsaí Conair ina Lárionad FET ar Bhóthar an Phoirt i Leitir Ceanainn an fómhar seo – déan iarratas trí na naisc thíos.
- Conair chuig Staidéar Gnó: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=483267
- Conair chuig Staidéar Cúraim Sláinte agus Altranais: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=483268
- /Conair chuig Cúntóireacht Riachtanas Speisialta agus Foghlaim na Luath-Óige: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=483324
- Conair chuig Staidéar Eolaíochta: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=484037
- Conair chuig Staidéar Sláinte agus Corpacmhainne: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=484044
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