Cootehill Youthreach formally acknowledged the opening of their new premises with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new premises based on Drumlin Drive in Cootehill was officially opened by Cllr Clifford Kelly (Chairperson, CMETB ) and John Kearney (Chief Executive, CMETB).
Cootehill Youthreach Co-ordinator, Mike Durkan, explained the significance of the event: “It’s an important day because we are marking the movement from Market Street to our new premises. This year Youthreach will be 20 years in Cootehill. SOLAS granted funding for a new building last year. It’s important that the community and the county know we are open for business.”
Youthreach is the full-time training and education programme for early school leavers aged between 15 and 20 years. It offers a flexible and dynamic programme of integrated general education, vocational training and work experience. The service recently returned to providing full-time education training to learners, working with them to set personal and educational goals to increase self-esteem, skill and their knowledge base.
The 2020 Cootehill learners are settling in to their new location, Mike continued: “We are up and running for the last number of weeks. We have the capacity of more students. We deliver Level 3 and 4 QQI certified courses for students who may have left school early. We still have limited spaces if there are any students interested in joining.”
The Youthreach Co-ordinator says the new building is proving to be very popular: “It’s well resourced. We got additional funding for technology. Every learner and staff member have their own device. Dr Linda Pinkster, Director of Further Education and Training at CMETB said: “I am delighted for all the staff and learners at Cootehill Youthreach that they now have a beautiful new centre in which to work, learn and enjoy the many opportunities that Youthreach offers.”
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