.Members of the NLN group who spent over a week in Finland.
THERE was great excitement among two Kerry groups last week as they departed for Tampere in Finland on an Erasmus Plus Exchange programme.
A group of 13 students and four staff from National Learning Network Tralee along with a smaller youth group and leaders from South West Kerry Family Resource Centre in Cahersiveen departed on Tuesday, October 8 for an eight day trip which saw the group visit the Verstas organisation in Tampere followed by three days of activities in the Marttinnen Youth Centre.
The theme of the trip was “Promoting Social Inclusion” and the group’s aim to exchange ideas on how best to ensure that young people of all abilities can be included in their communities.
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This is the second part of an exchange organised by South West Kerry Family Resource Centre in Cahersiveen which saw a group from Tampere visit South Kerry in May 2018 where the theme was ‘Isolation’.
Such was the success of the visit that an exchange trip was agreed. Erasmus Plus is a European Union programme that supports education, training, youth and sport in Europe.
The aim of the programme is to develop new ways to support inclusion, diversity, equality, gender-balance and non-discrimination.
.NLN Kerry learners who won bronze medals at the Chef Ireland Competition, (starting second from left) Carrie Ann O’Connor, Imelda Reilly, Craig Coady and Liam O’Brien, with, left, Instructor Helen Egan, Catering Instructor Tom Hardiman (second right) and Fiona Keogh, Manager of National Learning Network Tralee centre. Photo by Dermot Crean
FOUR students from the National Learning Network centre in Tralee were among the medals at the prestigious Chef Ireland Competition held recently.
The NLN Kerry Learners won four Bronze Medals at the event in the City West Conference Hotel in Dublin on Tuesday last.
Craig Coady, Liam O’Brien, Imelda O’Reilly, CarrieAnn O’Connor other catering students and their Instructors Tom Hardiman, Helen Egan & Frances Griffin travelled to the competition which had participants from all over Ireland and Europe taking part.
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The Learners were awarded the Bronze Medals in two categories Irish Pork Junior Class & Hot Dessert Open Class.
Imelda was also announced as the overall winner in the Hot Dessert Open Class competition.
“We’re very proud of all the students who have enjoyed this fantastic success and the work by Helen and Frances has been rewarded too. We’re very happy,” said Tom Hardiman.
Chef Ireland is an interactive two day Culinary Competition that rewards practical professional cookery & restaurant services.
The Competition is co ordinated by the Panel of Chefs of Ireland and is designed to showcase the creativity, skill & imagination of Irelands Chefs.
Cllr Jim Finucane, Chairman of the Kerry ETB Board, was at the centre in Clash to congratulate the medal winners on Thursday.
.A grow from the National Learning Network Centre in Clash at Wellness Day on Friday.
STUDENTS from National Learning Network Tralee held a Wellness day on Friday 30th September to celebrate the centre being awarded the Amber Flag from Suicide Aware for promoting positive mental health in their centre.
The Wellness day was a hugely successful student led initiative which involved a variety of activities and talks. Among the most successful events was the design of a Wall of Hope, which displayed artwork promoting positivity as well as a Positive Affirmation Display and Small Things Matters Tips.
Other activities included Guided Meditation and Open Art sessions, Team Building Exercises and talks on Equality and Wellness. Students from all courses did a fantastic job in decorating the centre brightly which led to an upbeat and positive vibe throughout the day.
Many of the students have experienced mental health difficulties so it is really positive to see the way they have led this campaign.
The Amber Flag initiative aims to encourage colleges to promote and actively bring about a culture change in the promotion of positive mental health within the educational system and other organisations. It is hoped that further events will be held in the lead up to Christmas, culminating in the centres NLN’s Got Talent in December.
.A group from National Learning Network Tralee with the initial reward for making it to the last 14 in the KBC Bank Bright Ideas Awards.
THE National Learning Network Tralee has been shortlisted to the final 14 of the KBC Bright Ideas Awards winning €4,200 for their efforts.
But now they are looking for public votes from the local community for Una Flynn’s idea, Body & Mind, a project which aims to build an outdoor gym for the students of the centre at Clash, so they can get extra funds for equipment.
“As we do not have any facilities at present, this funding will enable our students to participate in physical activity in a fun way during their working day,” said Kevin Smith of NLN Tralee.
The winner of the public vote will get an additional €5,000 to help build the gym at the back of the centre.
To vote for the project, click here (don’t be confused by the details saying it’s a Cork project) and follow the instructions. The deadline for voting is Friday at midnight.
.At the National Learning Network Tralee, Certificate Presentation Ceremony were, from left: Kevin Carmody, Jennifer O’Shea and Brendan Sweeney. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
AROUND 190 students gathered from the different National Learning Network’s classes scattered around Tralee, to receive certificates for their achievements over the last year in the Fels Point Hotel on Friday.
A year’s hard work came to fruition for the students from the National Learning Network’s two centres in Tralee – in Clash Industrial Estate and a satellite service in the Education Centre in Dromtacker – as well as a retail training outlet in Kerry General Hospital.
The Guest of Honour was a hit with those in attendance.
“I’m delighted to be here to present you all with your certificates as I have a great interest in education. As the Irish saying goes ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’ – there is no strength without unity. You aren’t on your own,” said broadcasting legend, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
Students were presented with certificates in a range of courses that support people in entering into or returning to employment.
These include vocational courses such as Applied Information Technology, Catering Skills & Culinary Skills, Retail Sales, Sporting Chance, Woodwork Multi Skills, IT/Business Studies, Introductory Skills Training, Employer Based Training, as well as rehabilitative programmes Focus and Directions.
Each year, students from the centre receive a variety of QQI (formally FETAC) levels 3 to 6, ITEC, City & Guilds, ECDL, Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certificates following participation in a National Learning Network course.
National Learning Network provides training funded by SOLAS and the HSE for persons out of work through accident, illness, or disability.
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At the National Learning Network Tralee, Certificate Presentation Ceremony, were from left: Catherine Moriarty, Patrick Cronin, Danielle O’Connell, Michael Sweeney, Carrie Anne O’Connor and Donna Lyons. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the National Learning Network Tralee, Certificate Presentation Ceremony, were from left: Selena Griffin, Stephanie Griffin, Michael O’Regan, Liam Heaslip, Dylan Carey, Killian O’Neill and Eoin Carroll. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the National Learning Network Tralee, Certificate Presentation Ceremony, were from left: Linda O’Mahony, Andy Lyon, Natalie Cody, Craig Cody, Andy, Linda and Jerry Devine. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the National Learning Network Tralee, Certificate Presentation Ceremony, were from left: Michael O’Driscoll, Patrick Lynch, Gary O’Sullivan and Martin Casey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the National Learning Network Tralee, Certificate Presentation Ceremony, were from left: Monica Dillane, Helen Dineen, Mary Jo Daly, Darren O’Riordan, Mary O’Sullivan, Bernadette Corridan, Mary Somers, Tommy O’Carroll and Marie O’Shea. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Photographer, Breda Canty who came through the National Learning Network, Tralee, presented a photo to guest of honour Micheal O’Muircheartaigh. They are pictured with (left) Christy Enright Kerry ETB and Pat O’Neill, manager of the National Learning Network. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
