AN announcement of €8,696,719 in funding for Kerry ETB to invest in further education centres in Tralee and Listowel has been made this morning.

Over €3,700,000 will see a new apprenticeship training building established at the site of the Kerry College Monavalley Campus.

The new project will facilitate the expansion of carpentry, joinery, electrical and pre-apprenticeship courses as well as providing additional car parking spaces on site.

Continued below…

In Listowel, funding of €4,996,719 will oversee the upgrade and extension of a building purchased by KETB last year at Listowel Business Development Centre, enabling the relocation of FET provision from the post-primary school.

The project will provide for the refurbishment and upgrade to the existing building to provide classrooms, sanitary facilities and ancillary spaces, including the upgrade to existing mechanical and electrical works to meet the needs of staff and students.

The new build will house skills training spaces, ancillary teaching classrooms, PC labs, sanitary facilities, canteen, kitchen and extra parking on-campus.

Welcoming the news, Minister for Education Norma Foley said: “This new funding will enhance the already-excellent provision of apprenticeship training and further education in Kerry.  This state-of-the-art new building extension will allow Kerry College to have a standalone Further Education and Training Campus in Listowel, serving not just the needs of North Kerry but the entire country.  The development of a new apprenticeship block on the existing Kerry College Tralee campus will have a profoundly-positive and immediate impact on contributing to the national provision of apprenticeship, particularly in the Craft Construction Sector.”

KERRY College has announced its sponsorship of WorldSkills Ireland, returning to the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from 13th – 15th September 2022.

A partnership between enterprise, industry, education, training, and government, WorldSkills Ireland raises the profile and recognition of skills and apprenticeships and prepares the talent of today for the careers of the future.

Taking place under one roof, free to attend and packed with interactive events, demonstrations, talks and competitions, WorldSkills Ireland will present a wide selection of options, careers and pathways to excite every type of learner.

Continued below…

Offering a unique opportunity to learn about different industries, discover exciting job pathways and options for a vocation in the skills and trade industry, it is a fantastic event for Kerry College to support employees of the future and secure a pipeline for skills through apprenticeships. This will provide a systemic solution to today’s skill and business challenges.

Kerry College are excited to be displaying their new Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician (WTMT) along with their Commis Chef Apprenticeship and Stone Cutting and Stone Masonry Apprenticeships at the event.

They will be based at the ETB Green Technologies Demo area, Stone Masonry Demo area and Restaurant area.

Broadcast Production Skills learners along with instructor Brian Nolan are operating all live streaming of each day’s activities, the awards event and covering all social media for the 3 day event. Live segments will be presented by RTE’s Brian Hurley.

Kerry College have two National Expert Instructors, Tom Cronin for Mechanical Automotive Maintenance Fitter (MAMF) and Tara O’Halloran for Beauty Therapy.

A preliminary training morning was held to prepare for the Worldskills Ireland 2022 Beauty Therapy competition at the state of the art, newly refurbished Kerry College of Beauty, Clash Campus on Tuesday.

For further information on WorldSkills Live, please see www.worldskillsireland.ie or follow WorldSkills Ireland on social media.

KERRY COLLEGE of Further Education and Training is having Information Events on Wednesday, August 31 from 3pm-7pm, taking place at the Clash Rd Campus, Tralee, V92 Y991 and the new Listowel Campus in Clieveragh Business Park, Listowel, V31 PC79.

This is a free meet-and-greet event, where the public can visit the Campus and get further information on all Courses and Apprenticeships that Kerry College has to offer.

The Admission team, teachers and Learning Support will be available to answer all your queries such as funding and grant options, learner supports, course content, course delivery, progression routes and so much more!

Whether you are a school leaver, career changer or you’re simply returning to education after some time off then come along.  Visit www.kerrycollege.ie to view all the courses or call the Admissions Office on 066 714 96 96.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

IF you’re interested in a career in the great outdoors, why not sign up to a Webinar on June 8 at 7pm to find out more about the great outdoor education and training courses Kerry College has to offer.

Whether this is your first step into the outdoor sector or you want to strengthen your outdoor career with further qualifications, we have a course that will suit you!

This free Zoom event will feature graduates from our Outdoor Activity Instructor Traineeship, Scuba Diving and Ecology courses, Kerry College Admissions Office staff and Kerry College Killorglin Campus manager and instructors.

The next Outdoor Activity Instructor Traineeship course starts in July. Recruitment has already begun. Scuba Diving Instructor is also open for applications now and is due to start in August. Ecology and Practical Fieldwork (Applied Ecology) and Surf Instructor & Beach Lifeguard Training will start later in the year.

Kerry College Admissions Manager, Elaine O’Connor, is advising people to apply now, as these are popular courses, which lead to direct employment at home and abroad.

“At present, the start date for our Outdoor Activity Instructor Traineeship course is the 11th of July 2022. Anyone interested in this course is encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The reason this course is so popular is it will set you up with job ready skills to move straight into the world of work.”

Kerry College, Killorglin Campus Manager Ms. Aodhnait Carroll is also encouraging people to sign up: “Join us on the 8th of June at 7pm. If you are thinking of beginning or strengthening your career in the outdoors then check out our two outdoor instructor programmes in our Killorglin Campus. There are no fees, all equipment is provided and you keep the essential equipment you need to begin your career in the outdoor sector.  For those that may need to relocate to Kerry for these amazing courses, financial support is available! The adventure capital of Ireland awaits…”

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and get information on how to apply for these courses from a member of the Kerry College team.

The event is free and pre-registration is essential via this link. You can browse and sign up for all courses here. For queries, call the Admissions Office on 066-714 96 96 or email info@kerrycollege.ie

KERRY College Clash Campus hosted their annual recruitment fair on Thursday which saw great opportunities for students and employers alike.

The event was organised by Helen Brick, Work Placement Co-ordinator with assistance of Kay Lanigan Ryan, Industry Liaison Officer at Kerry College, Clash Campus.

Some graduates are available for employment while others are seeking summer work as they intend to return to Kerry College in September to advance their qualifications at Level 6 level or to progress to institutes of technology and universities.

Continued below…

“Many of the students will be employment-ready in May. A lot of businesses are looking for employees and finding recruitment quite difficult but we find we have the students to go out and fill these positions,” said Helen Brick.

“It’s an opportunity for students to get a start straight away and even for students going on to other courses, they get an idea of what’s out there for them when they finish,” said Helen.

Some of the organisations who were present on the day to recruit Kerry College graduates included Home Instead, Kerry County Childcare Committee, Bluebird Care, The Rose Hotel, Gleneagle Group and FRS Recruitment to name but a few. Scroll down for photos…

THE Kerry College Clash Campus hosted an end of term charity bakesale on Wednesday in aid of both the Irish Red Cross and Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland which raised €455.

Laura Bokmane, a Pre-Garda Studies student, will be participating in a skydive this June in aid of Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland and the event was a way for the community of staff and students at Kerry College, Clash Campus to support her.

Laura is aiming to raise more awareness of the YSPI service and thanked everyone who donated on the day and online.

Continued below…

“I would like to everyone for their generous donations to the Irish Red Cross and Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland. Together we raised €455 in aid of these two wonderful charities which I think as a college we should all be extremely proud of.”

“Yesterday’s event displayed the significance of teamwork and the kindness amplified by all students and staff throughout the college. I hope you they enjoyed the delicious treats, music, and ‘bake-off’!  I would like to personally thank everyone involved in the college and those got involved in the running of this event, I couldn’t have done it without their help.”

The YSPI provide vital funding that is used to help save lives.  Donations were made on the day and still be made online via https//skydive.yspi.ie/2002laura 

The bakesale was well supported and the atmosphere was enhanced by music provided by QQI Level 5 Music Performance and Music Technology students.

KERRY College students are ready to tackle racism and embrace diversity in their future workplaces.

The College marked European Action Week Against Racism at the Clash Campus this week.

Teresa Elumely from Tralee International Resource centre (TIRC) gave an eye-opening talk about her experience of racism and heightened students awareness of anti-racism movements in Ireland.

Continued below…

Through her talk, students became aware of how easy it is to have bias that they are totally unaware of and how their perceptions of cultures and races may affect the way they treat individuals in workplaces.

Kerry College Clash Road students, on both employment and progression orientated courses, were encouraged to stand up for diversity as they enter the working world.

IT’S a busy few days for Kerry College this week with over 600 students, career changers and jobseekers attending its Open Week at host Campus locations in Listowel and Tralee, with a further 900 expected at its Apprenticeship Information Evening in the Monavalley Campus and Parent/Applicant Information Evening in the Clash Campus this Thursday.

In the Clash Rd and Listowel Campus locations, visitors had an opportunity to talk to teachers and current learners in relation to courses for progression and employment.

Continued below…

Career Guidance Counsellors were on Campus to give advice to prospective learners and to answer any career related queries they may have had.

Attendees visited all the different faculties as well as Kerry College’s state of the art Beauty Therapy Suite where they had a chance to see current learners demonstrate a full range of treatments.

Principal of Clash Rd, Denny Street and Listowel campuses, Mr. Stephen Goulding, was delighted with the event.

“This was a great opportunity for visitors to come and visit the Campus in person and speak to learners and staff on site.  They could see first-hand what the Kerry College experience is like.”

He also encouraged parents/guardians/applicants to call in for the information session on Thursday evening in the Clash Rd Campus, from 5pm -7pm, to hear from guest speaker Dr. Eddie Murphy, Clinical Psychologist.

In the Monavalley Campus visitors had the opportunity to try their hand at a variety of new skills as there was a host of practical skills based demos throughout the day.

They also had the opportunity to experience virtual reality with Wind Turbine Maintenance instructor Andy Cane’s assistance. Kerry College’s state of the art Digital Skills Centre was available to the public to record a radio sound bite or vox pop.

Continued below…

The Killorglin Campus team were also on site in the Monavalley Campus also providing the opportunity to explore a range of outdoor and activity based career options. There was a multitude to choose from!

The Ireland Skills National Final for Mechanical, Automation & Maintenance Fitting (MAMF) Craft Apprenticeship is taking place on the 23rd & 24th of March.

The winner of the National competition will have the opportunity to take part in The World Skills competition in China in October 2022

Manager of the Monavalley Campus, Con O’Sullivan says; “We’ve having our busiest ever Open Week which is a clear sign that parents, school leavers, career changers and jobseekers are looking for a more direct route to work and progression within their careers.  At our Monavalley Campus, our range of practical skills training courses and Apprenticeships will always meet this need.”

“Something not to be missed is our Apprenticeship Information Open Evening which takes place at Monavalley (Eircode: V92PW50) on Thursday evening from 5pm-9pm. This is a free event where the public can meet a range of hiring employers, apprentices and have your questions answered by our Apprenticeship Services teams.”

If you are interested in any Kerry College course please visit www.kerrycollege.ie or call a member of the admissions team on 066 714 96 96. Scroll down for photos…

THIS year, for the first time ever, school leavers and CAO applicants will be able to apply for Further Education and Training courses and explore Apprenticeship opportunities alongside Higher Education options on the CAO website.

The CAO website now links to information and applications for Further Education and Training (FET) programmes and Apprenticeships.

From here you can view and apply for over 650 Further Education and Training courses and explore all apprenticeship options.

Continued below…

There is also a Freephone number available for guidance on apprenticeships which is 1800 794 487,  open Monday – Friday 12pm – 6pm.

Kerry College of Further Education and Training has five campuses spread across the County of Kerry.

There are three campuses in Tralee town, Clash, Denny Street and Monavalley, a Listowel Campus and Killorglin Campus.

Kerry College has over 180 different types of Further Education and Training Courses to choose from with some being unique to Kerry College.

There are also a number of apprenticeship courses run in Kerry College with the Monavalley Campus launching three new apprenticeships this year, Wind Turbine and Cybersecurity and ICT Associate Software Developer in partnership with FIT.

The normal closing date for applications to via the CAO is the 1st of February at 5 pm.  To view key CAO dates visit www.cao.ie.

If you are not availing of the CAO route this year, Kerry College offers full and part time courses starting all year round.

Visit www.kerrycollege.ie to browse all your options or contact our Admissions Team on 066 714 96 96.

KERRY Local Creative Youth Partnership (Kerry LCYP) at Kerry Education and Training Board has announced two strands of funding available to community based organisations, youth service providers, early years’ settings, youth groups and creative practitioners who wish to develop creativity projects for children and/or young people in their communities.

Applications are being sought under the Creative Youth Grant Scheme and the Youth Theatre Grant Scheme for projects that are child and youth led, that are highly creative in nature, and can be realised in 2022.

Continued below…

Ann O’Dwyer, Director of Schools, Youth & Music at Kerry ETB stated, “We had such a positive year in 2021, providing over €86,000 worth of funding to assist creative projects in twenty-three community settings across Kerry.

“We hope to build on that next year and ensure that our funding reaches communities that need access the most”.  While the fund is competitive in nature, project concepts that reflect the voices and ideas of young participants are welcome and especially if they represent more marginalised, and vulnerable young people in our community.

Organisations and groups who prioritise work with more marginalised groups and who want to prioritise creativity in their local area, should look to this fund as an opportunity for support.”

Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the LCYP Programme stated: “The fund is also of benefit to creative professionals and facilitators from across the creative industries who wish to offer uniquely creative opportunities for children and young people in Kerry”. Collaborations between organisations and service providers are welcome, but applying organisations must capture the views of potential participants in their applications.

To support communities in finding creative professionals who can work with young people, the LCYP has developed a listing online on the ETB website.

A public session about the grants process has been organised online for Friday 7th January at 11.00am.

Anyone who requires more information about the application process is welcome to join the meeting but prior registration is necessary by emailing denright@kerryetb.ie

Projects in 2021 focussed on children and young people experiencing homelessness and direct provision, on new communities and more marginalised groups, on groups experiencing isolation and bias, on issue based activity that affects the lives of young people and on the creativity of more vulnerable young people. Improving the creative skills and know-how of young people is also supported, and in the form of three new youth theatre projects in the county.

Applications will be accepted from community based organisations, including Family Resource Centres, preschool and early years’ providers, youth groups and youth service providers as well as local creative or cultural organisations.

Public sector bodies can also apply, as can charities and not-for-profit companies, private sector providers of creative services and projects including STEM and tech professionals, artists, and creatives from across the cultural and creative industries.

Application forms can be downloaded from www.kerryetb.ie/creativity-grants Irish language versions are available on www.kerryetb.ie/deontais

Completed application forms must be submitted by email by the closing date to Deirdre Enright, the Creative Youth Co-Ordinator at Kerry ETB. Only official application forms can be accepted.

The closing date for receipt of applications to the Youth Theatre Grant Scheme is Friday 21st January, while the closing date for applications to the Creative Youth Grant Scheme is Friday 28th January 2022.