IF you want to get back into education, then a visit to the Tralee VTOS centre in Clash is essential tomorrow morning.

They are hosting an open information morning from 10am to 1pm to showcase their courses and services. Tralee VTOS has been operating for 30 years and has seen many students go through its doors.

They will have courses at QQI Levels 3 and 4 which will put you on the road to many careers, e.g. Childcare, SNA, Healthcare, Cookery, Computing and Health & Leisure and many more.   Telephone 066 7121041 / 086 0278 978 for more.

Here is a contribution from a student from Tralee VTOS who was asked to complete the “What VTOS Means to Me” exercise.

“WHAT VTOS MEANS TO ME”

As my time with VTOS nears an end
I think it’s fair to say …
It was not what I expected …..
It surpassed in every way
Such choices at your fingertips
Support at every turn….
With expert advice to recognise, the strengths you need to learn

There’s “something” here for “everyone”’
The tools that you require …
And IF you believe, you CAN achieve ….
Whate’er your hearts’ desire!

Math minded maybe not ? Computer skills forgot?
Do not despair ..help is everywhere
So do not lose the plot !!!!

Communicate, art designs create, health & fitness ..just a few
Not to mention outdoor activities ……
And throw in a 700 piece jigsaw too !!!!

But the friendships forged amongst us all
Was for me what mattered most of all💕
Each day was full of cheer and laughter
With memories I’ll cherish from hereon after …..

So as I bid VTOS adieu .. my heartfelt thanks to all of you
For giving me the opportunity
To be part of your VTOS family …
As my lifelong dream I now embrace …
This is just the first chapter… so WATCH this space !!!!!

by Jennie Sheehy

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With Tralee VTOS hosting an Open Day next Thursday, Joan Griffin, a First Year student at the service, says it has given her a focus on where she wants her education to progress…

When I discovered VTOS, it was my intention to press the restart and update button on my education.

It had been many years since I was last in a classroom environment, so this was the perfect stepping stone.

I draw the parallel with updating a computer because we all here in VTOS have had some form of educational background — for example junior or leaving certificate — but for whatever reason it meant that our education ceased there.

When we restart and update a computer we are adding new information to the existing device, or in our case, we are restarting and updating our education.

I have learned so much from my time at VTOS and it has given me a focus on where I want my education to progress.

I am learning in a relaxed adult classroom environment and I am evaluating all of my new opportunities for progression.

It has also helped me with organisation and formed a stable routine to incorporate my learning.  I have formed new friendships and a great understanding of working as part of a team.

We have a great comradery as we are all equal in the adult education experience because we are all there for the same reason, to better ourselves.

It has given me a new confidence that I can achieve much more when I apply myself and focus.

So in conclusion, I would be a huge advocate for VTOS.  In our current global crisis VTOS will emerge as important as ever.

The inevitability is that many will lose jobs and require returning to adult education to retrain and upskill.  It has great teachers who have a vast experience in adult education that make the educational journey much more enjoyable.

When I move on to the next level of my education I know I will look back and be grateful for the stepping stone that it has provided me in progressing further.

So if I was to suggest a motto for VTOS it would as I mentioned at the start “press the restart and update button on your education”

• The Tralee VTOS Open Day takes place on Thursday, September 3 from 10am to 1pm at the centre in Clash.

TRALEE VTOS Adult Education College are currently enrolling for their upcoming courses for September next and to that end they are hosting an open information morning next Thursday, May 23, from 10am to 1pm.

Courses are FREE to Adults over 21, who are in receipt of a DES payment.  You can retain/increase your benefits and a typical day is from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

The academic year is similar to secondary schools with the same mid-term breaks, Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays.  They have a canteen for morning break where tea and biscuits are served free of charge.  There is also a tea and coffee facility for lunch break.

Tralee VTOS has been operating for 30 years and has seen many students go through its doors.

In September they will have courses at QQI Levels 3 and 4 which will put you on the road to many careers, e.g. Childcare, SNA, Healthcare, Cookery, Computing and Health & Leisure and many more. To find out more please log onto www.traleevtos.ie or come along to the open morning.

Former Tralee VTOS student Trina Houlihan explains the effect doing a course has had on her life…

I left school after my inter cert and started working.  After 27 years I took voluntary redundancy and I wanted to improve my skills and employability opportunities.

VTOS was the perfect choice and I completed a business award.  It was through the encouragement of staff I gained the confidence to go on to IT Tralee and do two degree courses in Business & Travel & Tourism Management.

I now work in Kerry County Museum and am in my dream job.

• Tralee VTOS will hold an open information morning on Wednesday, August 29 from 10am to 1pm. Visitors can find out more about the courses on offer.

Mary O’Flaherty says returning to education at Tralee VTOS gave her new possibilities for the future…

“Almost 10 years ago l found myself unemployed and as l had left school at thirteen l got the opportunity to return to education with Tralee VTOS.

This was a fulltime two year course.  While I enjoyed the course there were tough days where l thought l wouldn’t complete certain aspects but the support and guidance of the teachers and colleagues helped me achieve my goal.

Now that my QQI certification is complete, I have achieved my personal goal of completing my second level education.  I am now in employment that I enjoy.

On a personal and professional level VTOS has opened new doors and new possibilities for my future.”

THOSE with an interest in getting back into education should pay a visit to Tralee VTOS at Clash on tomorrow morning (Thursday) for an Open Day about the services they offer.

The information morning gives information on the two year Leaving Cert course, Level 3 General Learning, Level 4 Employment Skills and Level 4 General Learning.

The courses are full time, day courses. They are for people over 21 years old and in receipt of any form of payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least six months or over.

Students do not lose any benefits and all materials and books are free at the centre. There is crèche support available and a travel allowance if you live over four miles from the centre in Clash, located next to the ITT, behind Kerry College of Further Education.

For more information on the courses starting in September log on to www.traleevtos.ie or check out their Facebook page here

THOSE with an interest in getting back into education paid a visit to Tralee VTOS on Wednesday morning for an Open Day about the services they offer.

The information morning, which was hosted by the students at the centre in Clash, gave information on the two year Leaving Cert course, Level 3 General Learning, Level 4 Employment Skills and General Learning.

“We’ve invited people to come to view the centre, meet our students, see some of the work on display and generally see what’s on offer,” said Mary Sheehy.

“It’s a good time for people to find out what’s on offer as it’s coming to the end of an academic year and they’re trying to make a decision about August or September.”

“VTOS is an excellent stepping stone for people who want to get some skills, to get confidence, to get back their self-esteem. We have people who have been out of education for 20 years. We have assessments beforehand to see which level they’re at and how they can progress through the levels,” said Mary.

The courses are full time, day courses. They are for people over 21 years old and in receipt of any form of payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least six months or over.

Students do not lose any benefits and all materials and books are free at the centre. There is crèche support available and a travel allowance if you live over four miles from the centre in Clash.

For more information on the courses starting in September log on to www.traleevtos.ie or check out their Facebook page here