Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 found that over three quarters of Youthreach and Community Training Centres offered QQI level 3 and 4 qualifications with a fifth offering the LCA Programme. Most centres structure learning so that young people take QQI Level 3 qualifications in year one and progress to QQI Level 4 qualifications in year two. Level 4 qualifications offer accessible and tailored pathways for learners to gain valuable qualifications and progress onto further education, training or employment.

The Evaluation found that learner need was identified as the primary basis for deciding on course provision, with many centres revising course offerings as the profile of learners changed. It found clear and distinct value in the provision provided in both the Youthreach centre and CTC contexts. In its response to the evaluation, SOLAS advocated the continued provision in both Youthreach centre and CTC settings while acknowledging the need for more coordinated and effective planning across all youth education and training at ETB level.

It also identified the need to more closely link Youthreach to pathways within FET and beyond, and to ensure that it continues to evolve to meet the changing and more complex needs of its learners. The majority of the recommendations in the SOLAS response, continue to be implemented through the national FET Strategy 2020–24 under the Creating Pathways and Inclusion workstreams while other specific recommendations, directly relating to the Youthreach Evaluation are being implemented by SOLAS, as part of the Strategic Performance Agreement process in conjunction with individual Education and Training Boards.