Cobh YMCA Celebrates STEP Graduates

Trainees from Cobh YMCA’s STEP programme graduated on Monday 1st July after completing a year-long course in Employment Skills. The Level 4 FETAC Award includes key skills in Communications, Work Experience and Computing (Full ECDL) but also Customer Service, Working as a Team and Intercultural Studies. The students, who hosted an hour long celebration of their achievements, showcased some of the Team events which included high wire climbing activities in the Glen resource centre, maintaining an allotment and organising fundraising events. Coordinator, James Bilson said “The aim of this course is to build the skills and confidence of the young people by developing practical core skills and allowing these to be tested in real world way. The small group work allows the team to develop and the year-long course gives time to carry these out.” Pictured at their graduation event at the Sirius Arts Centre are some of the trainees who graduated, from left to right, Sarah Cronin, Nathan O’Neill, Natalie McLoughlin, Jenn O’Connell, Lisa Barry, Eoin Condon.

The trainees were congratulated by Mayor of Cobh, Cllr John Mulvihill Jr, Tom Kent (YMCA Director of Programmes) and Gerard Griffin (VEC Youthreach Coordinator) as well as a crowd of family and friends. Trainees who have graduated will be going on to further studies or employment, to include Hairdressing at St Johns College, Childcare at Cork College of Commerce and Performing Arts at CSN.

Exciting new training Opportunity on STEP

The STEP course is now recruiting for the September intake. For 2013-14 there is a new component to add to those mentioned above of Digital Media Technology which will focus on the use of film, animation, social media and the use of the internet for communicating and being creative. No experience is necessary but this skills area is of growing importance for employers and will enhance employment opportunities. Applicants need to be between 17-25 years old and without employment or leaving certificate. Application forms are available through the website or the YMCA office and the deadline for receipt of first round applications is Friday 19th July. For more information on STEP or to apply for the next course that commences in September, contact 4814060 or www.ymca-cobh.org