'Golden ticket' - Thousands sign up for third-level courses across east Limerick

ALMOST 4,000 people are currently enrolled in third-level courses in local communities across east and south Limerick, it has been revealed.

The figures were outlined by Simon Ratcliffe, coordinator for the Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board who briefed local councillors at the October meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District.

In his presentation, he outlined the role which Limerick and Clare ETB has in local communities in the area.

“Education is the golden ticket to offer new avenues for people and we offer opportunities to learn and develop key skills for a direct route to employment.”

Mr Ratcliffe also stressed how vital it is to cater for many different demographics whether it's using the courses as a bridge between secondary and third-level education or for older generations of people who want to pick up new skills.

There are four Limerick and Clare ETB campuses in the municipal district - Kilmallock, Cappamore, Croom and Hospital - which will welcome more than 3,900 learners in 2025.

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Each campus, he said, contains a host of modern facilities including training kitchens, polytunnels, wood technology training rooms, computer suites with the relevant software licenses, a blacksmithing forge, a brand new art room and a ceramics kiln.

In addition to the four campuses, some courses are also available at less formal locations such as Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre, Doon Social Farm, Patrickswell Community Centre and Galbally.

“Education is coming to meet learners where they are living,” said Mr Ratcliffe who added: “You don't have to travel to Limerick city.”

The enrollments across the municipal district span more than 326 courses which are provided free of charge throughout the year with 150 courses running at any one time.

Of the four Limerick and Clare ETB campuses in the area, Kilmallock College of FET has the single highest number of enrollments with 2,400 students attending more than 180 courses.

Mr Ratcliffe told councillors there is also a desire to develop direct training for local businesses where employees could take part in dedicated programmes to further their training.

Offering a Safe Pass course was discussed as a possible example of how the collaboration could work going forward.

Members of the council acknowledged the work Limerick and Clare ETB is doing in providing education in local communities.

“It's a great addition to the local communities and offers wonderful facilities, which is getting great levels of engagement,” commented Cllr Noreen Stokes, who is a Limerick and Clare ETB tutor in Cappamore.

In response to comments from Cllr Brigid Teefy, Simon Radcliffe acknowledged there is a need to “grow” the number of courses that are available in the evenings or at night.

“It's an area for development,” he stated, acknowledging that not everyone is in a position to attend courses during the day.