Kilkenny VTOS graduates celebrate with a night to remember

Congratulations to all of this year's VTOS Kilkenny Graduates! Click 'NEXT' to see lots more photographs from the graduation celebration or scroll down to read more about the night.

ABOVE: Helen Devane, Sé Nicholson, Toshie Oue and Claudine Malunga

Kilkenny’s VTOS graduates had an occasion to treasure as they celebrated their achievements for the first time in three years.

Graduates of VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) Kilkenny held their awards ceremony with family and friends.
It was a fitting return to the celebration of students’ achievements after a number of challenging years. VTOS Co-Ordinator Geraldine Moran paid tribute to the excellent and dedicated teaching staff who continue to transfer their love of learning to all the participants, both in the academic and practical areas.

She thanked Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) for their ongoing support for the VTOS programme. Special guests included KCETB Chairperson Cllr. Fergal Browne, KCETB Chief Executive Eileen Curtis, and KCETB Director of Further Education and Training (FET) Martha Bolger.

Awards recipients were presented with certificates in QQI, City & Guilds and attendance certificates in areas ranging from QQI (Quality qualifications Ireland) Level 3 Certificates in General Learning to Level 5 Awards in eBusiness, Information Processing, Art Craft & Design and Furniture Making.

Director of FET Martha Bolger,  in a very motivational speech, congratulated all the participants on their accomplishments and praised them for their resilience in the face of adversity during the last number of challenging years.  

KCETB Chief Executive Eileen Curtis Chief commended all participants for their hard work and persistence over the challenging times they encountered and encouraged them to keep pursuing their learning goals and nurturing their passion for learning.

Bernadette O’ Rourke, an adult education officer with KCETB, lauded all the participants on their achievements and spoke about the high-quality teaching and learning provided in the VTOS centre.  She reminded the participants that the certificates they received were a tremendous endorsement of their efforts and the high expectations and aspirations that the centre held for them.  Bernadette paid tribute to all of the teaching staff under the leadership of the Co-Ordinator Geraldine Moran who as educators encourage learners to achieve their full potential.

Closing the awards ceremony Geraldine Moran expressed her thanks to everybody who ensured that the night was a success.  She thanked Charlotte Beattie VTOS Secretary for her administrative support and Sean Lawless for organising the event and his technical support.  Grateful thanks was expressed also to Fiona Phelan, Alma Feeley and Mary Roache for all their assistance.  Following the ceremony, participants and their families celebrated in style with refreshments in the Ormonde hotel.