It's always nice to have hard work recognised. (See below) This sort of
initiative might even tempt a few former girl guides back into the fold.
It's so important to think of ways to encourage volunteering as well.
Minister Haughey presents FETAC 'Youth Work and Guiding Module
Certificates' to students of The Irish Girl Guides
The Minister for Youth Affairs, Seán Haughey, T.D.,today( 10 March,
2007) presented FETAC 'Youth Work and Training Awards Certificates' to
15 members of The Irish Girl Guides. The awards ceremony, which took
place at the Mansion House, Dublin, celebrated five years of accredited
leadership training.
Speaking at the awards, Minister Haughey said "I am particularly pleased
to be here today to present the 15 well – earned certificates in
Guiding. Each certificate presented represents a great achievement and
a new step in learning and training. Having embarked on this particular
learning route, you now have the opportunity to put into practice what
you have learnt or perhaps some of you will wish to go on to further
training. Certification is a formal acknowledgement of skills acquired
and will help develop and improve your self-confidence thus enabling you
to make a real difference in the lives of the young women with whom you
have contact."
Minister Haughey went on to say "one of the major advances in Youth Work
in Ireland over the last few years is the increase in professional
recognition for youth workers. Adults who work in the non-formal
education sector increasingly hold qualifications that reflect that they
have benefited from various levels of professional training."
The Minister went on to speak about the importance of accreditation
saying "acceptance and standing both nationally and internationally
requires appropriate mechanisms for properly accrediting and recognising
awards. As the national awarding body for further education and
training in Ireland, FETAC provides people with an opportunity to gain
recognition for learning in education or training centres, in the work
place and in the community.
Minister Haughey continued "The Irish Girl Guides gained FETAC
accreditation for its own adult leadership training scheme specifically
for Guiding, FETAC level 5. The establishment of this training
arrangement raises further the reputation of the Irish Girl Guides who
have a history of care and understanding in dealing with the development
of young girls and women. The formal training of their volunteer leaders
has always been seen by the guides as an integral part of their ethos.
This ensures consistency, fairness and compassion on the part of their
adult volunteers. It is most gratifying that this can now be formally
recognised."
The Minister concluded by congratulating the award recipients and all
volunteers for "standing up and making a difference. Every volunteer is
highly valued."