Ballivor childcare programme deemed a success
Kevin Humphreys TD, Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection with responsibility for Employment, Community and Social Support, was in Ballivor recently to launch the Ballivor Community Employment Childcare programme for Co Meath.
The programme is designed to provide community employment participants with a programme of formal learning and supervised work experience leading to Child Practitioner certification, a FETAC Level 5 major award.
The project currently has 67 participants including two supervisors and one assistant supervisor.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Humphreys said: 'The Ballivor Childcare project was established by the Department of Social Protection as a pilot scheme in July 2013. So successful was the project in Co Meath that the Department is extending the scheme nationally.'
Minister Humphreys noted that the development of the new programme involved extensive consultation with community employment sponsors, childcare service providers in the county, county childcare committees and the community employment participants themselves.
'Everybody has contributed to the success of this programme,' he said.
Minister Humphreys also presented Level 5 FETAC certificates to 11 people who have completed their childcare training.
The Minister added: 'This childcare programme... is demanding and requires commitment and dedication from the participant, but the training and development of participants to the highest employment-led standard in childcare provides them with the opportunity to get a job.'
The Minister concluded his remarks by acknowledging the valuable contribution of the community employment sponsors and congratulating all involved in the Ballivor Community Employment Childcare programme.
'I am pleased that the Department of Social Protection is providing you with the supports that you need to enable jobseekers get the necessary and essential training and skills in childcare provision that will lead them into employment,' he said.