VEC Youthreach Centre

 

Youthreach LogoIntroducing Youthreach
YOUTHREACH is an integral part of the national programme of second-chance education and training in Ireland and is a central part of the Government's contribution to the achievement of a lifelong learning society.
The programme is directed at unemployed young early school leavers aged 15-20. It offers participants the opportunity to identify and pursue viable options within adult life, and provides them with opportunities to acquire certification. It operates on a full-time, year-round basis.

What do we do in Youthreach?

Youthreach offers a flexible and dynamic programme of integrated general education, vocational training and work experience. Learners set personal and educational goals that increase their self-esteem, skill and knowledge base and employability. Essential course elements include Personal and Social Development, Vocational Skills and Communications Skills.
The Youthreach process involves:

  • personal development and exploration;
  • identification of needs, interests and capacities;
  • setting learning goals
  • sampling general vocational skills;
  • development of specific aptitudes;
  • work experience;
  • literacy and numeracy development.

Achievement
In promoting participants' sense of self-worth and identity, practitioners place a strong emphasis on achievement. So, a broad range of certification is made available. Ninety per cent of Centres enter participants for FETAC qualifications. Seventy-eight different modules are offered throughout the programme at Foundation and Level 3 and ten per cent of Centres provide more than 16 modules.
Participants also take the Junior Certificate, the Leaving Certificate and the Leaving Certificate Applied as a progression programme. Other options are also offered, such as the European Computer Driving Licence and the FIT programme.