Falcarragh man Jason McGee is currently studying Sport at LYIT after completing a Youthreach programme in Gortahork.
Having failed the Leaving Cert Mathematics exam in 2016, Jason (19) enrolled as an external learner at Youthreach in Gortahork in order to secure his place at LYIT alongside over twenty other learners on the programme.
GAA player Jason says that Youthreach involved a mixture of both practical and theory-based study, “there was construction and art, which was a lot of practical work, but math and communication subjects included written work. Each learner has a folder with assignments to have done and are then graded.”
Donegal ETB’s Youthreach programme provides Level 2, 3 and 4 education, training and work experience programmes to help young people between the ages of 16 and 20 to progress to employment or college.
Youthreach tutors employ a balanced programme of education, training and personal development whilst teaching.
“The tutors were all brilliant and easy to get along with. They’re slightly different to the ordinary school teacher they’re more friendly and outgoing to all the learners and I think that the learners all respected them for that.
“I enjoyed just getting an hour or two myself to study my maths and had plenty maths to do from my grinds teacher but PE was always good.
“There was plenty of group projects and days out that way everyone bonded brilliantly.”
From completing the course, Jason says he developed his communication and computing skills, and feels the work experience at a local gym has been a huge help to his career prospects as he wishes to go on to do Physical Education.
“My aim was to pass my Leaving Cert and studying in the centre helped me as I probably wouldn’t have worked as hard at home.”
The training allowance offered by Youthreach makes the courses more accessible for learners, which Jason says was a big help.
Jason has now set his sights on obtaining a degree and is looking forward to working full-time doing what he loves.
About Youthreach
Youthreach offers young people a wide range of learning and training opportunities. A range of national QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) qualifications are provided including Level 2 General Learning, Level 3 Employability Skills and Level 4 General Learning.
Subjects, varying from centre to centre, include art and craft, catering, computers, childcare, hairdressing, health and fitness, literacy, numeracy, office skills, outdoor pursuits, personal development, woodcraft and many more.
Work experience is also an important part of the Youthreach programme. Other qualifications include basic food hygiene, ECDL, First Aid and Gaisce Awards.
Centres also provide an extensive health promotion programme covering areas such as positive mental health, sexual health, alcohol and drugs, road safety, citizenship and money management.
Fun is also an important part of Youthreach and regular trips and events such as an annual county-wide table quiz, MasterChef, pool, bowling and football competitions also take place throughout the year.
For more information you can follow this link: http://www.donegaletb.ie/schools-youth-services/youthreach/.
You can also call the Youthreach Centres on the following numbers:
Ballyshannon (Antoinette) – 071 98 51286
Buncrana/Glengad (Jayne) – 074 93 62466
Gortahork (Ciaran) – 074 91 35218
Letterkenny (Gillian) – 074 91 22585
Lifford (Aidan) – 074 91 42114
Youthreach is co-funded by the Irish Government, the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative as part of the ESF Programme for Employability Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
