The O’Connell Further Education and Training Centre

Deirdre Fitzgerald

The O’Connell Further Education and Training (FET) Centre is very excited to deliver a full-time course in business management. On successful completion of this comprehensive and intensive training course, students will have achieved a QQI Level 6 Business Management Major Award. Empowering them to confidently enter the workforce or to continue their education to a degree level. With the opportunity to develop the ability to coordinate and motivate teams through the highs and lows of doing business in Ireland and internationally.

Deirdre has planned and organised excursions to business environments and invited speakers since the commencement of the training course. This exposure is critical to ensure that students can make informed decisions about future career pathways. Our students were fortunate to have an excursion to Kerry Airport, where they spent the day with CEO John Mulhern. It was an invaluable learning experience for our students, reiterating the importance of Kerry Airport linking the West Coast and Wild Atlantic Way to Dublin and beyond. John’s leadership skills, drive, motivation, and subsequent success inspired our learners, giving them a real insight into employee recognition and building future leaders.

Recently, local entrepreneur Declan Sugrue 3DS Designs, came to speak with the group. Declan’s drive and eye for opportunity were admired by all and may have sown seeds for future local enterprises. Catherine Evans, RDI Hub Collaboration Manager, also gave our students an insightful and inspiring talk. Catherine shared the history, development, and diversification of FEXCO. The encouragement, support and recognition given to start-ups in the RDI hub in Killorglin in a worldclass facility sets a high standard. It puts Killorglin and South Kerry on par with other such hubs worldwide. Our students were impressed with the facilities the RDI Hub offers potential businesses. This, alongside Declan’s story, inspired and ignited our business management students.

Regional Literacy Coordinator Appointed

Paula Tiller

The Adult Literacy for Life Strategy was recently launched by Simon Harris, minister for Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The purpose of the ten-year strategy is to create a joined-up approach to supporting people who have unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs. The aim is to make it easier for people with unmet literacy needs to take the next step to get support.

Where are we now?*

Ireland is 17th place in literacy out of 24 countries

18% (1 in 6) of adults aged 16 to 65 struggled to read basic texts

521,550 adults at or below level 1 on a 5-level literacy scale

Ireland is 19th place in numeracy out of 24 countries

25% of adults in Ireland experience numeracy difficulties

754,000 adults at or below level 1 for numeracy

55% of adults aged 25 to 64 have low digital skills

Covid-19 has deepened this digital divide

How will the strategy help?

A one-stop shop will allow people to access the various types of provision in their local area. There is already a lot happening but it can be difficult for people to find out exactly where to access help for their specific needs.

An essential part of the strategy is a whole-ofgovernment approach in meeting the needs of those who are the furthest behind first, in line with the programme for government. To enable action there will need to be collaboration across government bodies, community organisations and local businesses. To facilitate this collaboration and drive implementation, a national network of Regional Literacy Coordinators has been established.

Low digital skills

Paula Tiller, Regional Literacy Coordinator was recently appointed Kerry ETB, Paula has a long history in adult basic education and community projects. She will liaise with internal and external stakeholders, mapping needs, provision, and resources and serve to facilitate collaboration between partners. A regional action plan will be drawn up in collaboration with all stakeholders across the county to bring about the vision of the ALL Strategy which is, “An Ireland where every adult has the necessary literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to fully engage in society and realise their potential.”

Paula can be reached on 087 337 2139 or paula.tiller@staff.kerryetb.ie.