New role for Mannix College

CHARLEVILLE’S former Mannix College, which ceased to be a second level school last September, has been reinstated as a centre for further education and is now fully operational under its new name, Charleville Education and Training Centre.

The centre is offering a range of part-time BTEI courses to QQI Levels 4 & 5.

The classes are free with priority given to adults who have left school early, i.e. Junior Certificate or less and social welfare recipients or medical card holders are also eligible. A person may choose to do one or more components, gaining relevant skills for further study or employment.

The courses include general learning to QQI Level 4, which is equivalent to a pass Leaving Certificate. The components are IT skills, team working, communications, work experience, word processing and mathematics, but may also include culinary skills, design studies or maths. The course is delivered over 2.5 years with morning and night class delivery.

There is a horticulture course where participants learn about plant identification, care and maintenance, plant propagation, safe horticultural practices, growing vegetables, and fruit, tools and equipment, communications and work experience. Other course available are healthcare, occupational first aid, design studies through upholstery, driver theory, family learning, English language for beginners, Maths, numeracy and computers, heavy goods vehicle driving (HGV), Craft sewing including millinery, breads, pastries and desserts and culinary operations and communications.

There are also pre-apprenticeship courses which should be of interest to any young person thinking of pursuing a career in the stainless steel or electrical engineering sectors, especially with Charleville being a hub for the manufacture of stainless steel products, with four steel companies in production in the town.

This is a fantastic educational facility to have available in Charleville and an ideal opportunity for anybody wishing to upskill, or those who have left school early and wish to further their education.

There is also a confidential and impartial guidance counselling service available free of charge to current adult learners and unemployed adults with less than QQI Level 6 qualifications. This may help one to explore their interests and to identify the best course options to follow.

Further details may be had from Elaine Cronin, the centre co-ordinator, at 086-1295851 or from Brendan Glynn at 022-55452, who will provide help and advice to intending students.