Gaeilge
The annual Presentation of QQI Awards for Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) learners in Finn Valley College was held on Friday last, 7 September. Guest of honour on the night was Mr Ian Harkin, Managing Director of Lottie Dolls who presented awards to the Business Administration, Sports, Recreation and Exercise and Early Childhood Care and Education classes.
Mr Harkin spoke to the audience about his own personal journey that began with an Accounting degree in LYIT, took him to many parts of ‘what has become a very small world’ to where he is today with his company which is based, ironically, back where it all began at LYIT in the Co-lab. He offered several nuggets of sound advice to the learners including don’t be afraid to take risks and to always ask for advice.
In her address, course coordinator Ms Boland congratulated the learners on their excellent results with many learners obtaining distinctions in all modules. Quite significant this year was the high percentage of learners gaining entry into degree courses in NUIG, DCU, UCC and Maynooth University as well a number of courses in LYIT, IT Sligo, NWRC and England. Many of the learners used their PLC results and gained entry in Round 0 in early August. A number of other learners, particularly those studying Childcare, obtained employment in their vocational area.
Alongside completing their QQI Level 5 courses, the learners obtained several other useful qualifications in other areas – a number of the Sports class qualified as Lifeguards and all completed their Coaching Badges in Gaelic and Soccer. The Childcare learners completed a First Aid Course and online Child Protection Training, while 17 of the Business Administration class sat the Department of Education and Skills Advanced Typewriting Exam which is the practical element of the Teachers Certificate in Typewriting, with all achieving 1st and 2nd class honours.
In all, 72 learners were enrolled across the three courses for the 2017/18 year – a record number for the school. This enrolment and the huge number and variety of pathways leading from the PLC courses are a fitting endorsement of the quality of the PLC courses on offer at FVC which are part of Donegal ETB’s wider Further Education and Training (FET) Service.
Limited places are still available for enrolment on the Business and Sports courses for this coming year. Contact the school at 074 9131684 or email finnvalleycollege@donegaletb.ie .
