Spreading their wings with Wider Horizons

At the weekend 21 young people from Londonderry and Donegal embarked on the trip of a lifetime as they travelled to Montreal, Canada, for a six-week overseas stay as part of the annual Open Access Wider Horizons Employability Programme run by St Columb’s Park House.

The 20-week programme is funded by the International Fund for Ireland in partnership with Fas and Department of Employment and Learning has brought together young unemployed people aged 18 to 27 from both sides of the community and both sides of the Border.

A mutual understanding element of the programme has included a team building residential and a series of field visits and social activities. The participants have already completed accredited training in employability and personal development with local providers Rutledge Recruitment. They were also placed with local employers four days a week. It is a model which is replicated whilst overseas with Montreal based training providers ERS.

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Before embarking on the overseas phase programme leader Sarah Quilty, who is overseeing her third programme, said: “Whilst in Montreal the young people will stay with host families and be encouraged to embrace totally the culture of Quebec. They again will complete one day a week training with ERS and will spend four days a week in a high class placement which we believe best suits their skills and interests.

“The young people will also have an opportunity through structured social activities and their own free time, to experience a new country with new friends which we hope will inspire them to explore new opportunities whilst in Canada but also when they return,” he said.

Outlining the programme, St Columbs Park House Director, Brian Dougherty, said: “This is the fourth Wider Horizons Programme that we have run in recent years. We would like to thank the funders and programme partners for their continued support on it.

“Traditionally, through our evaluations we find that the young people who complete the programme, find it to be in many ways life changing, improving their capacity, skills and confidence levels,” he said, adding: “Many use it as an opportunity to change career direction whilst invariably almost all find the overseas experience enriching. I wish them and Sarah a safe and productive journey.”

Those interested in applying for next year’s programme should note that recruitment will begin in January, 2013.

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