Mentor Led College Connect is Helping Leo Get the Edge

Leo Megarry (17), from Downpatrick, didn’t know what he wanted to do when he left school but signing up to College Connect at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has given him a taste for catering and hospitality and the desire to further his skills. 

Leo said, “I left school last year and had a few summer jobs but didn’t know what I wanted to do next. A friend mentioned College Connect at SERC and since then I haven’t looked back. 

“At the minute I am on placement, working in the kitchen of a local nursing home, gaining new skills and experience as well as being part of the team working in the community to help people during this current situation.  I am working towards gaining an OCN NI Level 1 Certificate in Vocational Skills (Catering) with Essential Skills in Numeracy and Literacy – it is exactly what I need to help me progress to a Level 2 course.  

He added, “The course is mentor lead which means I have one to one support, someone I can link with for support and to help keep me focused. I now know that I want to continue and progress in catering and have a plan for September. I have made good friends, learned a lot about myself, become more reliable and confident so College Connect has worked for me. The year has gone in very quickly and I will miss the course when it is over.” 

College Connect is a one-year mentor led programme which provides participants the opportunity to undertake a Level 1 qualification with the aim of progressing into Further Education or employment. Participants over 18 years old in receipt of Job Seekers allowance will be allowed to retain their benefit for the duration of the programme. 

Barbara McNeill, Head of School, Training Organization, at SERC said, “We know how difficult it is for young people to find a route into training or education if they have been unemployed and out of school for a while. College Connect is a relatively new programme which will help those aged 16 – 24 to kickstart some training which could lead on to further education or employment in the catering and hospitality (Downpatrick Campus) or building and construction industry (Newtownards Campus). 

If you are interested in College Connect click here  or for more information email cathyrobinson@serc.ac.uk or ohiggins@serc.ac.uk      

Apply now for courses commencing September 2020. For more information visit www.serc.ac.uk to find out how you could be #BetterOffAtSERC 

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