South West College (SWC) recently collaborated with the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) on a Celebration of Success event to recognise the achievements of 64 young people from Cohort 3 of the Youthscape+ programme, delivered in partnership across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The event which took place at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon celebrated participants aged 14 to 24 years who are not currently in full-time education, training, or employment, and who have successfully achieved a Level 1 OCN accreditation through their participation in the programme.

Youthscape+ is a cross-border youth initiative funded through the European Union’s PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), designed to support young people to overcome barriers to education and employment, build confidence, and develop essential life and work skills.

The programme is delivered collaboratively by South West College at its campuses in Enniskillen, Omagh, Dungannon, and Cookstown, Donegal Youth Services in Letterkenny and Ballybofey, and the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) in Sligo and Leitrim. The programme partnership also includes Tides Training and the CEDAR Foundation.

Over the past year, programme participants have engaged in a diverse range of activities including personal development workshops, employability training, community engagement projects, and accredited learning opportunities. The Celebration of Success event brought together learners, mentors, and staff to reflect on the achievements and progress made throughout the programme.

Speaking at the event, David Taylor, Head of Social Inclusion at South West College, praised the commitment and resilience of the young people involved:

“Youthscape+has provided a vital opportunity for young people to re-engage with learning, build confidence, and take positive steps toward their future. The progress and personal growth demonstrated by participants from Cohort 3 has been truly inspiring, and we are proud to celebrate their success. Programmes like this make a real difference – not just to the individuals involved, but to their families and communities.”

South West College and its delivery partners extend their congratulations to all Cohort 3 participants and look forward to continued success as the Youthscape Plus programme supports more young people across the region to realise their potential.

For further information about the Youthscape+ programme visit https://swc.ac.uk/courses/social-inclusion/youthscape_plus or email david.taylor@swc.ac.uk