Pathways programme can lead you into a world of new opportunities
ARE you unemployed? Stressed out? Worried? Depressed? Or do you have an injury, illness or a disability. If you need to retrain or learn new skills the one year Pathways course may suit you.
The Pathways programme, which is funded by the HSE, has been running in Mallow since late 2000. It is designed and supported by a team of dedicated and experienced staff to support people to take stock of their lives, make choices and provide them with a range of personal, social and work related skills to progress to greater levels of independence and community integration.
It focuses on the needs of each person and designs a person centred plan, offering various modules including Personal Development, Computer Skills, Mental Health and Stress Management, Independent Living Skills, Creative skills, a Community Based Horticultural/Environmental option, and Job Seeking Skills, including a Work Experience option.
Noel Shannon Area Manager of National Learning Network Cork says ‘ The Pathways Programme is based on people and on communities and since we started out the people of Mallow have been incredibly supportive of the work we do.’
National Learning Network offers training Nationwide from Donegal to Bantry and has over 100 centres including outreach programmes nationwide.
In fact, the innovative work began in the 1950 in Ireland. It’s the innovative response to the training needs of communities that marks National Learning Network out and contributes to their nationwide success.
Over 250 students have been supported in the North Cork area since National Learning launched the Pathways programme. Always innovative in their response to the training needs of communities, NLN first launched a mobile training unit which visited many of the towns and communities in North Cork,
including Kanturk, Boherbue, Fermoy and Mallow.
Now based in The Spring Mount Business Centre, Floor 2 in Market Square, Mallow, which was opened officially in 2014 by Minister of State for Research and Innovation at the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Sean Sherlock, who praised the work of the programme. He stated that ‘ the success of the programme is highlighted by the outstanding testimonials by people that have completed the programme’.
PJ McAire, a student who, due to illness, needed to retrain said ‘I will forever be indebted to Pathways and the National Learning Network: they gave me a second chance at life, since I completed it I have been working at the Rapid programme in Mallow Town Council’.
PJ is not alone in his praise, many employers assist with work placements most, recently O’Meara’s Solicitors came on board to join the many employers that already support the Job Seeking Skills module, assisting with work placements and mock interviews. These include Super Valu, Cork County Council, Knight’s Spar, Mallow; Centra and Dairygold, The Arches Bar and Restaurant and the GAA, with especial thanks to Stella O’Sullivan (recently retired) of Meals on Wheels, who tirelessly has supported our students in work placements and mock interviews.
Many other employers have come forward to offer placements and mentoring.
If you are a business that wants to discuss how you may support our students involvement in the work place please contact us on 087-6677002 or pathways@nln.ie.
Pathways have developed strong links with GPs in Mallow and HSE teams, COPE Mallow Irish Wheel Chair Association and agencies and the CETB over the years as invaluable partners in the work we do. Our door is always open if you have a query.
We are delighted to announce that we are now taking applications for our 2017/18 Pathways Programme which begins in early August 2017.
Application forms may be obtained by ringing 0876677002 Joanna, Marian or Susan or contacting Padraig Healy Manager on 0879177873 or calling in to the Pathways Centre in Market Square, Mallow or e-mailing pathways@nln.ie www.NLN. ie for Nationwide information.