Graduates of Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of Further Education and Training offer inspiration to others

2023 Graduates of Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of Further Education and Training offer inspiration to others. Fiachra McKeown, Anna Piterina, and Patricia Reynolds all celebrated their graduation from Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of Further Education and Training as part of an “inspirational” group of graduates

Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of Further Education and Training celebrates success stories at 2023 conferring ceremonies

Success stories are always best told by those behind them and there was plenty of inspiring stories to be found at the recent conferring ceremonies at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of Further Education and Training.

Friends and family of this year’s graduates gathered at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa in Limerick to celebrate the achievements of those being conferred and there was certainly lots to celebrate.

Patricia Reynolds is a single mum of three who recently graduated from Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Kilmallock Road Campus and is a great example to anyone worried about trying to balance learning with a busy home and work life.

Originally from Botswana, Patricia’s mum is from South Africa and her dad is from Mayo. After living in London for ten years Patricia decided to move to Ireland and she’s been here three years now. Mum to three children aged 21, 8 and 7 Patricia was also juggling two jobs when she decided to take on a course in Healthcare at the Kilmallock Road campus. Making time for learning with such a busy schedule was always going to be a challenge but according to Patricia the team there were brilliant at helping her navigate her timetable to help with her hectic schedule.

They also assisted when she needed experience working with people with intellectual disabilities. ”The team at the campus were fantastic, once they realised I needed more experience they were able to put me in touch with their contacts at St Joseph’s Hospital in Limerick. I was able to do volunteering work there, which really helped with my course.” Patricia is now doing a Masters in ATU in Sligo and working in healthcare and is grateful to all the team at the campus for their support.

Another learner from the College of FET, Kilmallock Road Campus is Fiachra McKeown who graduated from Sports, Recreation and Exercise. A keen sports enthusiast, Fiachra plays Gaelic Football with Killimer GAA club and has always had an interest in pursuing a career in teaching sport and his story will encourage anyone looking for an alternative pathway to their career.

After the Leaving Cert Fiachra was just short on CAO points for the course he wanted in third level.

So, he researched Post-Leaving Cert courses and saw that Limerick and Clare ETB had a Sports course at their College of FET, Kilmallock Road Campus where they recently built a state-of-the-art, purpose-built gym facility on-site.

“It’s a fantastic facility for anyone else going forward that does this course,” Fiachra explained. Fiachra is now doing a Concurrent Teaching Education course at University of Limerick in PE and Maths and is delighted that his course helped him on his learning pathway. “The modules I did on the Sports, Recreation and Exercise course, really stood to me and made the transition to the UL course so much easier.”

Anna Piterina from Kazakhstan is also currently at University of Limerick, working in one of the science labs there. Anna is a student, who relishes knowledge and is an inspiration to anyone who wants to continue their learning and upskill within their job.

Anna attended an information evening at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Cappamore Campus to learn more about what courses were on offer in the East Limerick town. She signed up to the Special Needs Assisting QQI Level 6 programme and she also attended community education courses like Yoga and Sound Therapy, and Supervisory Management Level 6.

As part of her job at the science labs in UL, Anna was keen to learn more about autism and how those affected experience both life and work. This is a big priority in education and employment with educators and employers keen to identify the possible gaps in study and work, so recommendations can be made for students or employees who are brimming with talent but may have special needs.

“Being able to provide a workable and comfortable environment for those with special needs and pass that knowledge on to my colleagues is hugely important and a transferable skill. I’ve also stayed in touch with other students on the course, which also brings additional value as we continue to share knowledge and update databases etc.”

The C.S. Lewis quote, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream,” rings true for 90-year-old Ennistymon resident Vincent Wall who was recently conferred with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Art from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board recently.

According to Vincent he was always interested in art and loved drawing as a young boy growing up in West Clare. Later on in life, he explored art again during his time in London with a course in interior design. Vincent met his wife, they fell in love and became parents to five children, spending time between London and Dublin before returning to his beloved hometown of Ennistymon Co. Clare where he lives now.

Although a busy life took him in a different direction, Vincent never forgot his early passion for painting and when he met artist Maeve Collins who is course leader at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Ennistymon Campus she encouraged him to re-visit that creative side.

Vincent decided to do the course and has never looked back “I really enjoyed the social side of life at the campus and meeting new people along the way, as well as exploring my love of art” he said.

Find out more about College of FET here.
Read more Limerick & Clare ETB stories here.