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This week marks two years since Owen McGee came back home to Donegal. He had worked in construction in the UK for almost a decade, but when he moved back with his young family, he felt it was time for a change.
Owen wanted to have more job security and, seeing the many technology businesses hiring in Letterkenny, decided to follow a new path into computing.
He enrolled in a Diploma for IT Users (NFQ Level 4) at Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training Service in Letterkenny.
Within a year, he got a job at Zeus in Letterkenny and is now two months into his new role.
Owen said: “I have no doubt that I could not have negotiated this job without the experience I had gained in the FET Centre, Letterkenny.
“My teacher, Patricia McLaughlin and Careers Guidance Counsellor Mairead McFadden were a massive help in preparing me for my interview. Once I was offered the job, the goodwill I received from all the members of staff in the FET Centre was very heart warming.”
Owen chose to study IT because he knew that computing was one of the top requirements in today’s jobs market. He did not have much experience in IT before, having only done a very basic course in 2012.
“After almost 15 years out of education I found the first few weeks quite tough but after navigating the initial rustiness my time in the FET Centre was a fantastic experience,” he said.
Students gain a wide scope of certificates from this course, including Computerised Accounting Software, Data Protection (ICDL), Spreadsheets (ICDL), IT Security (ICDL) and Desktop Publishing Software.
Owen and his classmaters at the Donegal Education Training Board, (ETB), new Further Education Training (FET) building on the Port Road, Letterkenny. Photo -Clive Wasson
“We covered a lot but it never felt as though it was rushed. I think that you have a different attitude when you come back to education and you want to learn,” Owen said.
“The subjects that we studied were very interesting and were using Microsoft Office software and we learned the skills that employers are seeking for new recruits to the workplace.
“We studied ICDL which is recognised globally by employers.
“This course was ideal for me to gain skills as it also fitted so well with my home life and we were able to do blended learning which was very flexible.”
Donegal Education Training Board (ETB) new Further Education Training (FET) building on the Port Road, Letterkenny. Photo -Clive Wasson
Owen studied at the new Letterkenny FET centre on the Port Road, where he says there is a great atmosphere. “My classmates were always entertaining to be around. I feel that all of them helped me along the way to reaching my goals,” he said.
“My teacher Patricia was very good and Mairead McFadden left no stone unturned in terms of career guidance,” he said.
In fact, Owen had such a good experience that his partner Louise Harkin is starting the same programme in September!
Owen’s new role at Zeus has many benefits, he said. “The big one is a change of working inside and outside. There is a good level of security with this work, compared to when you are self-employed. It’s a great job and it’s close to home. There are a lot of good perks,” he said.
The Diploma for IT Users (NFQ Level 4) and a Level 5 course are now open for September 2022 applications – click the links to apply online.
Information on the wide range of FET courses available with Donegal ETB this Autumn can be found on their website course finder
(https://www.donegaletb.ie/further-education-training/course-finder/) or contact their Adult Guidance and Information Service for help and advice by calling 074 91 78088, emailing adultguidance@donegaletb.ie or completing this web form https://www.donegaletb.ie/further-education-training/adult-guidance/.
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