Kilkenny Employment for Youth
Kilkenny Employment For Youth is based in Garden Row High Street Kilkenny Tel: 056 62774/65465 Fax: 056 51144 E-Mail: key@indigo.ie Contact: Walter Pigott, Manager 056/62774
This centre received ICT equipment to facilitate internet access for education research amongst both pupils and staff. The centre also runs IT courses and has its own IT Dept.
Background
Since it opened it's doors in 1983 Kilkenny Employment for youth has provided Training and work experience for young people between the ages of 15 and 25. The centre is run by a Manager and fully qualified and committed staff, who are responsible to a board of directors drawn from the business, social & commercial community in Kilkenny. The centre is funded by F.A.S. Waterford
Basic Qualifications
To qualify young people must be aged between 15 and 25 years at the start of training, unemployed and left school at least 6 months, preference will be given to those who have no exam qualifications. The individual must be willing to learn, train and be guided by staff in the centre.
Conditions and allowances
1. Trainees who are between 15 and 18 with no qualifications are entitled to a years course in the centre with a years follow-up in a work experience programme, trainees who have qualifications will be entitled to an initial 7 months with a review afterwards to determine progress.
2. Hours Of Attendance: 35 Hours A Week Monday-Thursday 9.00a.m.- 5.00p.m. Friday 9.00a.m.-2.00p.m 3. Training Allowances are paid in accordance with current F.A.S. rates.
Courses Available
Pre-Apprenticeship Courses
A new Pre-apprenticeship course in construction skills is now available in the centre. This course covers technical drawing,craft maths,craft science,construction and career planning, in our modern and well equipped workshop, under the guidance of highly skilled and very experienced staff. Certification of this course allows the trainee entry into the formal apprenticeship system.
Arts and Crafts.
The world of arts and crafts offers the young person a wealth of job skills. Trainees are introduced to the skills of the glass engraving, candle making, screen painting, and jewellery manufacture. One of the aims is for the trainee to develop through the medium of crafts, and to discover artistic abilities which they may have and skills which they can use in the workplace.
Catering
Trainees follow a VPT 1 hotel and catering course, which is certified by C.E.R.T. and level 2 is accredited by the NCVA. These courses are designed to enable trainees to gain a broad understanding of the hospitality and tourism industry. Trainees are also taught about nutrition, and food and beverage service. Information Technology and Office Skills.
ICT & Office Skills
The I.T.O.S. department was set up in 1998.Trainees are taught the skills required for general office work and the use of computers. Subjects covered include reception skills which involves learning to use all the major pieces of office equipment, typing, payroll, word processing, spreadsheets,database and desktop publishing. Social and Life Skills In social and life skills the trainees will look at situations which young people find themselves faced with such as issues that surround this important period in their young lives through group work, role play, written work, and questionnaires.
Social & Life Skills
Trainees examine topics such as trust, friendship, relationships, leisure time, marriage, and leaving home.
Computer Literacy
With computers very much part of the workplace today trainees will spend time developing their computers skills in word processing, desktop publishing, database and spreadsheets leading to pitman certification.
Literacy and Numeracy
Trainees spend one/two hours per week developing their literacy/numeracy skills as needed in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Castlecomer outreach
This foundation course offers the trainee the chance to sample a wide variety of marketable skills,in our modern well equipped centre.
Work Experience
Trainees are placed in different types of work during their stay in training. This will give the young person a feel for what work is like, and the different types of employment available. On finishing their course the trainee is eligible to progress on our Linked Work Experience Programme. They will work with an employer for 6 months in which certain defined skills can be acquired. Our aim is to provide the trainee with self confidence, a better knowledge of themselves and basic work skills so as to help their entry to the work place or further training.
After completing a course, trainees will have acquired skills which have been certified. They will be eligible for progression to work placement or on to Linked Work Experience, or if possible further training with F.A.S., C.E.R.T. or any relevant course run byKEY. Ltd.
K.E.Y. opened it's latest outreach centre in the newly refurbished Friary Hall in May 2001 where the I.T.O.S. department is located. The Hall is available to Community based groups, subject to negotiation. Contact Jim Maher at K.E.Y. for further details .
