Clondalkin centre and students impress Minister for Further & Higher Education, Simon Harris and EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit
Dublin Mid-West TD, Deputy Emer Higgins has praised the work of Youthreach Clondalkin, following a recent visit with Minister for Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science, Simon Harris and EU Commissioner, Nicolas Schmit. Deputy Higgins said: “I was delighted to join Minister Harris, Commissioner Schmit and Cllr. Shirley O’Hara on a recent visit to Youthreach Clondalkin to showcase the brilliant work going on in the Clondalkin centre. “Minister Harris is very passionate about pushing the message that college or university are not the only pathways for students leaving school and there are so many options that can lead you to the career you want.
“He’s absolutely right of course. I think Youthreach is a prime example of that in action and it’s very clear from meeting the students in Clondalkin that they are being supported to pursue all kinds of training, work experience and qualifications and I’ve no doubt they all have very bright futures ahead of them,” added Deputy Higgins. “The traditional school environment is not for everyone and Youthreach Clondalkin offers early school leavers the opportunity for personal development and learning in an environment that supports them in a way that traditional school possibly couldn’t.”
Deputy Higgins continued: “I was so impressed by the range of work being showcased by the students, from communications and mathematics to graphic design, IT, customer service and culinary arts, Youthreach Clondalkin is a hive of activity and I know that Minister Harris and Commissioner Schmit were extremely impressed. “Youthreach is co-funded by the Government and the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative and it’s brilliant to see the programme working well and making a difference in young people’s lives and education. “I particularly enjoyed hearing from past students who shared their experience of Youthreach and how it helped them get to where they are today.
“I’m very glad that as a society we are becoming more open to the many pathways to success in life and Youthreach Clondalkin is a prime example of an alternative pathway that clearly works and effectively supports students to reach their goals,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
