Hazel Stanley, Euro-Guidance Officer at the National Centre for Guidance in Education; Emma Wing, Information Officer, Tipperary ETB; Nora Gubbins, Guidance Counsellor, Tipperary ETB and Margaret Ryan, Assistant Librarian, Nenagh Library.

Pathways to Europe at Nenagh Library

Published: Tue 26 Feb 2019, 8:00 AM

For those interested in information about adult education, job mobility and volunteering, either in Ireland or across the EU, Nenagh Library was the place to be on Wednesday, February 13th.

As part of their 2019 Programme of Events, and in conjunction with Tipperary ETB, the library, which is the Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) for counties Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Kerry, hosted a series of information sessions entitled 'Pathways to Education, Training and Work in Europe'. Speakers included Nora Gubbins and Emma Wing, Adult Guidance Counsellor and Information Officer respectively with TETB; Hazel Stanley, Euro Guidance Officer with the National Centre for Guidance in Education; Mary Penny, European EURES Adviser and, in the afternoon, Linda Conlon from the Jobs Club and Pauline Strappe, co-ordinator at Tipperary Youth Work.

The half-hour sessions, which were attended by members of the public and Transition Year students from St Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh, provided practical advice and information to adults and young people on what is available for those considering returning to adult education or work in Ireland or alternatively, those considering studying, working or volunteering within the different EU member states.

So, Nora Gubbins and Emma Wing spoke about adult guidance and life-long learning while Hazel Stanley talked to Transition Year students about Euro-Quest, the pilot programme which provides materials and advice to students interested in studying within the EU. Mary Penny from the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection, spoke about job mobility within the EU. As a Eures Adviser, of which there are more than 1,000 across Europe, she provided information and advice on employment opportunities in a number of EU countries.

In the afternoon, it was the turn of the Jobs Club, which is run under the auspices of the North Tipperary Development Company. Whether newly graduated, returning to work after an absence or seeking a career change, finding a job is a job in itself, and so Linda Conlon gave an introduction to the supports provided and encouraged people to come in to talk to staff in their local Job Club.

Finally, Pauline Strappe, of Tipperary Youth Work spoke to Transition Year students about volunteering and travelling within EU member states, introducing them to the European Solidarity Corps and pointing out the benefits of travelling abroad and learning about the different cultures within the EU member states. We were delighted with the interest shown amongst young people in travelling and volunteering, and Pauline reminded those present that they can avail of European Solidarity Corp opportunities to travel up until the age of 30.

Nenagh Library would like to thank all those who participated in this event, including Tipperary Educational Training Board (ETB), the Euro- Guidance Desk at the National Centre for Guidance in Education, EURES at the Dept of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the North Tipperary Development Company and Tipperary Youth Work. We would like to thank our speakers on the day and would especially like to thank Nora Gubbins and Emma Wing, from Tipperary ETB, who collaborated with us in organising this event.