I propose to take Questions Nos. 742, 743 and 750 together.
The Youthreach programme is a national programme education and training for early school leavers. The programme is delivered in two settings, Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres (CTCs).
The Youthreach programme provides two years integrated education, training and work experience for unemployed early school leavers without any qualifications or vocational training, who are between 16 and 21 years of age. The programme offers participants the opportunity to identify and pursue viable options within adult life, provides them with opportunities to acquire certification, and includes a work experience element to prepare participants for progression on to further study, training or working life.
Early school leavers who wish to pursue an apprenticeship and who may not have the minimum qualifications to do so, may attend a Youthreach programme and achieve a Quality and Qualifications (QQI ) award which will allow the young person to register as an apprentice. The Youthreach programme offers QQI Levels 3 and 4, which is a minimum requirement for progression into an apprenticeship. This provides work experience modules which create links with potential employers who offer apprenticeship placements. Learners are provided with career guidance in relation to apprenticeships and also undertake educational visits to locations where registered apprentices attend training.
Youthreach programme provision includes a broad range of practical skills which prepare learners to progress into apprenticeships and include:
- Hairdressing
- Engineering
- Woodwork
- Electronics
- Computer Aided Design
- Maths
- Short Order Cooking
- Breakfast Cookery
- Craft
- Entrepreneurial Skills
- Team Working
- Work Experience
The number of learner placements currently in Youthreach/CTC's in the counties of Longford and Westmeath are provided below:
County
|
Location
|
FET Provision
|
Number of Learner Places
|
Longford
|
Longford
Ballymahon
|
Youthreach
Youthreach
|
25
30
|
Westmeath
|
Mullingar
Athlone
Kilbeggan
Delvin
|
CTC
CTC
Youthreach
Youthreach
|
60
50
25
25
|