Minister recognises Parkanaur College students
Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry recognised the success of disabled adults as they received their vocational training awards at Parkanaur College, Dungannon.� Also pictured, Parkanaur students Sean Muldoon and Malcolm McRobert and Wilfred Mitchell, College Chief Executive.
Employment and Learning Minister, Dr. Stephen Farry has recognised the success of disabled adults as they received their vocational training awards at Parkanaur College.
The College, which is part funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, is a residential training facility which aims to provide the opportunity for people with disabilities to bridge the gap and facilitate the transition, between school or the sheltered home environment to successful employment and independent living accommodation.
Speaking at the College’s 51st Annual Prize giving ceremony, Minister Farry said: “This event recognises and rewards the achievement of the trainees who have worked hard to complete their qualifications and earn their awards. Disability should never be seen as an insurmountable barrier to personal achievement and the successful trainees being recognised here today exemplify that very point.
“We all have a responsibility to provide opportunities and support to people with a disability who are seeking employment, and in doing so, to give them the best possible chance to achieve their full potential in life. Staff in my Department’s Employment Service will continue to engage with employers to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities, to persuade them of the real benefits that their organisations can realise, by giving people with disabilities an equal chance in the work-place.”
Two of the trainees who received awards during the ceremony have recently taken up work placement opportunities and are hopeful that they will be able to start work over the coming months.
In recognising this progression, the Minister continued: “I acknowledge and congratulate the College, its staff and above all, the trainees on their achievements. For the trainees, I consider their experience at Parkanaur as merely the start of their professional journey in life.”
The Minister joined the Mayor of Dungannon, Councillor Phelim Gildernew, College staff, Trustees of the Thomas Doran Trust which runs the College, as well as families and friends of the successful trainees in a celebration of the College’s and students’ achievements.
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Weather for Dungannon
Thursday 20 June 2013
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Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 16 C
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