Youthreach Further Information

Youth and friendship. Teens holding friend and posing

What you will cover

Whatever your reason, there is always a different pathway.

Youthreach is for any second-level learner who has left school, between the ages of 15 and 20 who wish to complete their education and get their Junior Cycle/Leaving Certificate equivalent awards. These QQI awards can then be used to progress into apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses and directly into employment.

In recent years, we have seen many students choose to attend Youthreach due to post-pandemic anxiety, desire for a more focused and vocational education and/or a break from mainstream education.

The benefits of Youthreach:

As Youthreach intakes are usually quite small, students receive one-to-one tuition from their teachers

across all their subjects. This includes academic, personal and social mentoring to help support them.

Youthreach students over the age of 16 can qualify for a weekly training allowance.

The curricula of each subject is more individual focused than mainstream subjects, with a large

proportion of their final grades coming from continuous assessment, rather than a block of summative

exams.

The content of the courses are tailored to the students and are done at the student’s pace.

Youthreach provides a supportive and safe learning environment tailored for Early School Leavers to flourish and acquire essential skills. By engaging in a QQI Level 3 and/or Level 4 course through Youthreach, Early School Leavers can pave the way for higher education opportunities, enabling seamless progression to a PLC or QQI Level 5 course.

Content includes:

The course offerings at QQI Level 4 in our Youthreach programmes encompass a range of subjects aimed at fostering general learning.

These include courses in Communications, Functional Maths, Work Experience, Horticulture, Career Planning, Art (with a focus on Painting), Health-Related Fitness, Personal and Interpersonal Development, and IT Skills.

Additionally, at QQI Level 3, we provide courses in Employability Skills, Communications, Maths, Career Preparation, Horticulture, Art and Design, and Computer Literacy.

This comprehensive curriculum is designed to equip students with a diverse set of skills and knowledge to enhance their overall educational and vocational development.

In addition, other programmes may run throughout the year including Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE)/ Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE), a financial course with the local Credit Union, Woodwork, Hairdressing, Childcare, Painting and Decorating.

Extra Elements of the Youthreach Programme:

Every student engages with our guidance counsellor to explore potential pathways for academic and personal growth. Additionally, they are introduced to various FET (Further Education and Training) centres and services, such as Midlands Skills Centre and the National Construction Training Campus, aimed at enhancing and facilitating their progression.

Youthreach students receive additional support such as mentoring, student focused forums, and various well-being initiatives. These measures are beneficial as contribute to the development of social and emotional skills and provide essential reassurance and support from staff, fostering a safe and conducive learning environment.

Trips are organised throughout the year to encourage team-building and social skills. Guest speakers and tutors are invited in regularly to cover a variety of topics with the students.

Youthreach Voices: Student Testimonials

"My first day in Youthreach I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was waiting inside the door because I didn’t know where to go but the teachers was very nice and respectful. The teachers treated me like a man not just a child like in school. Youthreach was a very pleasant place and I really enjoyed my time here. I have passed my level 3 and 4. Thank God for the teachers being here for me in Youthreach, they really helped me grow up. I was very childish and shy when I first started, now when I look back I can see the massive changes.

I would recommend Clara FET to anybody who needs extra help or people that school is not for because Youthreach will guide you into the right path. Now that I’m leaving Youthreach, I can see the massive change and it is a good change and they helped me along the way.

Youthreach is a very chilled place and the students are all friendly to each other."

- John Allan, Youthreach student

" I was often asked why I had chosen to leave school and go to Youthreach. School wasn’t the right place for me. The environment wasn’t suited for me, but Youthreach was different in so many ways. All students and teachers were equal, they treated me like an adult and not like a child.

They were more like my friends than my teachers and I learned so much from them in my classes and about life in general.

I never thought I’d ever do anything with my life but now with help and encouragement I got from my teachers I’m now doing my level 5 in healthcare and I’m hoping to follow down this route. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.

Joining Youthreach was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made."

- Margaret Taylor, Youthreach student

CONTACT DETAILS

Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board operate Youthreach programmes in five different locations in Laois and Offaly, as outlined below:

If you would like to find more information, you can contact the centres directly.