Earlier this month over 90 transition year students from Tullow Community School, Presentation College Carlow, St. Leo’s College, CBS, Presentation De La Salle College and Knockbeg College spent four days in Carlow College taking part in Module 1 of the Foróige Leadership for Life programme. Over the course of the four days, students learned the core concepts of leadership and gained skills in areas such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and self-awareness. The programme sets about developing the leadership capabilities and potential of young people and gives them an opportunity to harness their skills and attributes to contribute to their society in a fun and encouraging environment.
The cohort of delegates were facilitated by volunteers recruited through Carlow College. Rosie O’Brien Foróige Regional Youth Officer who co-ordinated the delivery of the programme in partnership with Brianna Byrne, Carlow College Student Recruitment Project Manager is thrilled with how the week went “the partnership between Foróige and Carlow College began four years ago through a chance meeting at a volunteer recruitment fair. The Foróige Leadership for Life Programme offers the students in Carlow College a way to gain practical skills in facilitation and showcase the college to potential future students. For Foróige this partnership has allowed us to offer a different volunteer role, deliver the leadership programme locally and increase the profile of the organisation in Carlow.”
On Thursday afternoon a graduation ceremony was held and the transition year students received their Certificate of Achievement in Module 1 of the Foróige Leadership for Life Programme. A number of Transition Year Students spoke at the ceremony with Ryan Byrne from the CBS commenting that ‘it wasn’t a bad way to spend the week’, while Ruth Phiri from St. Leo’s College commented on how she felt the programme helped ‘to empower young people over the few days’ and could safely say ‘Foróige has achieved its purpose’.
Speaking about the programme Carlow College VP for Academic Affairs and Registrar Dr Thomas McGrath noted “The Leadership for Life Programme is a tremendous opportunity for transition year students to acquire leadership skills. This is the fourth year Carlow College has run the programme and each year it is great to see how the students really come into their own over the course of the four days. I would like to congratulate all of the students who dedicated themselves to understanding what it takes to become effective leaders and how to use these skills for the betterment of society.”
