A TRAINING centre in Loughrea, Co Galway, will celebrate 17 years in existence this month by welcoming President Robinson on a special visit. St Brendan's Training Centre caters for members of the Travelling community ranging in age from 15 to 50 years. Most female trainees are married with large families, says director Aileen Walsh. The centre runs classes in metalwork, woodwork, crafts, home economics, upholstery, horticulture, literacy and numeracy. In the past the focus has been on CERT, Teagasc and FAS certification levels. However an extra dimension has recently been added to the curriculum.

Walsh explains that the focus has shifted over the past four years. Teachers are now preparing students for Junior Certificate exams and beyond, as well as preparing them for training certification. The centre is a joint FAS/VEC operation.

Walsh says that most of the trainees "have never been to secondary school and are managing to study for, and sit, their examinations within one year". At the moment 20 trainees are preparing to sit up to five subjects in the Junior Cert this year while a further five will sit a number of subjects in the Leaving Cert.

Last year 13 people passed between three and five subjects in the Junior Cert. One mother of six in her 30s sat five subjects in the Junior Cert last year, getting honours in home economics and passing in English, history, maths and business studies.

Many younger trainees have completed one year of secondary school but older trainees tend to have had primary schooling only. One or two have never had formal schooling.

When she was appointed, says Walsh, she looked at the people "and saw the potential the saw the expertise among the staff to provide it and the ability among the trainees."

It's possible to integrate education and training without taking from either," she says. The newly added dimension has "taken off beyond our wildest dreams."