Cork College of FET, Tramore Road Campus (formerly CSN College of Further Education) is currently celebrating success following the recent announcement that they scooped one of the prestigious AONTAS STAR awards. Run by AONTAS, the voice of adult learning in Ireland, the STAR Awards stand for Showcasing Teamwork, Awarding Recognition and their aim is to recognise and celebrate the work of adult-learning initiatives throughout Ireland.
‘It’s not everyone who gets a chance to spend their day talking about traditional thatching techniques, the Banshee, megalithic rock art, Seamus Heaney, Táin Bó Cuailnge, Seán Ó Riada, Irish High Crosses, and Skellig Michael,’ quips Shane Lehane, the Course Director of Cultural & Heritage Studies at Cork College of FET, Tramore Road Campus, Tramore Road, Cork. ‘It is really nice to get a national award for a job that we all love doing’ he says, ‘in truth, we have the proverbial ‘Carlsberg Job’; it is a pure joy!’
Recently, Aontas, the Irish National Learning Organisation recognised this pioneering course for its role over the last 30 years in preparing, inspiring and motivating students to continue their studies at Third level. ‘I call it ‘Bootcamp for University’’ says Lehane ‘we pride ourselves in taking students of all ages and backgrounds and building their skills and confidence to allow them to progress on to further education.’
Cultural and Heritage Studies runs at Cork College of FET, Tramore Road Campus and is a one-year full-time programme of studies, focusing on Archaeology, History, Folklore and the Arts. A key feature of this course is its practical application facilitated by its extensive field-trip programme whereby students are off campus one day per week and they get the opportunity to visit a variety of heritage and cultural organisations and institutions in both the public and private sectors. This real life, hands-on experience, makes the course practical, relevant and meaningful.
‘This national award is a real endorsement of what we have been doing for all the years’ says Lehane ‘and we are delighted with the recognition. I am sure it will make many more people aware of this successful avenue into University and remember this access route is also an integral part of the other courses at the Tramore Road Campus.’
Speaking following the historic win, Principal Ms. Liz Moynihan stated “I am thrilled with this superb achievement. This category had many applicants from across the county. It is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and care of the students in this course over many years”.
Ms. Moynihan conveyed her congratulations, and that of Cork ETB, to Shane Lehane and his team of teachers and guidance counsellors who have done such excellent work on this course, changing lives, and breaking down barriers to education. The judges recognised the magical element of this course on the zoom interview with the learners along with the impact of the course on the learners' lives.
She stated that “the course showcases what is done so well at this Campus where a student-centred approach is adopted, allowing the power of education to positively affect people's lives and their families, communities, and future generations. This work is done by teachers every day at the Campus. It reminds me of the quote, 'the whole world is full of miracles, but we're so used to them we call them ordinary things'. I hope this award will remind you of all the miracles that occur here at the college and allow you to reflect on this success and re-energise us all on the journey of ensuring all have access to education.
