CTC graduates just starting their journeys
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The sports and fitness class. Back row: Dheer Alkhalf, Mohamed Rajab, Lucas Clinton, Lukas Visinskas Ali Ashar and Paul Dinnegan. Front row: Max McCormack, Vladyslav Sharapov, Mohamed Arib and Luke Kelleghan.Image 2 of 8
Siobhan McKenna (Lakeland Interiors) and Roy Connor (Spar) received certificates of appreciation for providing work experience places during the Community Training Centre event last week.Image 3 of 8
Mark Bannon and Joe O’Meara made a presentation to Patricia Doyle to mark her retirement after 27 years, during the Community Training Centre event last week (see facing page).Image 4 of 8
Shania Donlon, Stephen Carroll, Rachel Johnston. Mya Foley, Eva McGlynn and Allanah Worrell from the music group.Image 5 of 8
The pre-apprenticeship graduates. Back: Oisin Doran, Callum Coyne, Cameron Nolan, John Martin Bellamy and Paul Dinnegan. Front: Adam Daly, Barry Walsh, Megan Byrne and Lucy Flood.Image 6 of 8
Zoe Ronan, Tia Donoghue, Zuher Masiala and Bobby Heeney from the IT group.Image 7 of 8
Patricia Doyle presented Cole O’Reilly with his catering cert.Image 8 of 8
The CTC staff. Back row: Mark Bannon (centre manager), Pat Carton youth advocate), Gary Bridges (sports and fitness), Arthur Conlon (maths and communications), Glenn McMahon (music instructor) and Patrick Flanagan (pre-apprenticeship). Front row Patricia Doyle (catering instructor), Linda Fagan (administration), Emma Murphy (hairdressing instructor), Frances Keenan (IT and office skills) and Emer Gruselle (learner counselling support).Thirty graduates of the Community Training Centre in St Mary’s Hall, Mullingar, received Level 4 and 5 certificates at an event in the Annebrook House Hotel. That was less than half of the actual graduates, but the others were unable to attend due to work and college commitments.
“It happens every year, they all struggle to get time off mid-week,” the manager of the training centre explained. All the learners had successfully completed two years of training in catering, music, engineering skills, hairdressing, sport and fitness, or IT.
Guest speaker at the presentation ceremony was Sinéad Tuite of Lakeland Interiors, who have taken a lot of CTC learners on work experience and who have one registered as an apprentice at present.
Sinéad spoke of her work with the CTC, their attention to detail and how they put the learner first.
She said that overall, it was a great experience to work with the centre.
A certificate of recognition was presented to Lakeland Interiors as well as Smyth’s Hardware and Eurospar, Dominick Street, for their outstanding support over the years. “They have gone above and beyond for our learners in terms of work experience,” Mark Bannon remarked.
Pat Carton, learner advocate at the centre, introduced the employers and spoke of how the work experience such companies offer is the most effective tool for learners to gain employment.
The students were presented with their certificates by Tom Grennan of the Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board, sole funders of the centre.
Congratulating the learners on their success, Mr Bannon emphasised that “this is just the beginning of your journey in life” and wished them well on that journey.