New Scheme Supervisor Appointed

Patricia Tiernery

Following on from the announcement of Billy Wards retirement after over thirty years working with Ballinasloe Training for Employment as a Supervisor, the Directors have announced the appointment of Patricia Tierney as the new Supervisor.

Patricia is a Atticorry, Creagh native with over fifteen years working as assistant supervisor within Ballinasloe Training for Employment. She has strong roots working with many community groups over the years, serving as secretary/treasurer for Ballinasloe Rugby Club as well as managing their under 18 and Inaugural Senior Women’s Teams, she is currently a trustee with the club. She served for over seven years on the board of Ballinasloe Credit Union as a voluntary Director as well as being involved in other community groups and activity.

She graduated from AIT Athlone with an honours degree in Business, Social Enterprise, leadership Management and Community Development and is IPass certified and has a Diploma in Training and Education from NUIG and Training and Development from IITD.

Ballinasloe Training for Employment CLG is a Department of Social Protection scheme that was founded in the 1990’s and is run by a voluntary board of directors. Its aim is to help unemployed people re-enter the workforce by offering relevant work experience of their career choice alongside bespoke certified training to help them upskill.
Participants are provided with useful on the job learning in a wide variety of areas including Reception, Administration, Accounts, Cleaning, Maintenance, IT/social media and Community Development, General Trades, Environmental and Pitch development. They typically provide work experience through postings with over sixteen community, not for profit and voluntary groups in the Ballinasloe Area who act as sponsors.

The Scheme aims to provide a welcoming environment to support, facilitate and encourage individuals to develop professionally and personally, through one-on-one person centred career planning. Participants can identify their goals as well s their learning and training and skills needs. As training is such an integral part of community employment, a dedicated training plan is in place for each participant supported by undertaking job related training.

They strive to give participants the skills and experience they need in order to progress to mainstream employment or further education depending on the overall goal of each participant and their background in life.

The scheme is not just for young school leavers, but in recent years has proved a valuable steppingstone for Mothers re- entering the workforce after some years with small children, other participants mid career who have since COVID – re – evaluated what they wish to achieve or do next. Those who were laid off or those who may wish to try something very different. People returning to live in the West – who thought their working life was finished but in seeking part time hours locally, often use this scheme as a stepping stone to find a position they find worthwhile.

Ballinasloe Training for Employment are always looking for new participants to join the team. They  are also currently advertising to hire an Assistant Supervisor (https://jobsireland.ie/)
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If you would like to find out more information on Community Employment, please call  090 9631652.