South West College host SUSE+ Celebration of Success Ceremony

South West College’s (SWC) Step Up to Sustainable Employment+ (SUSE+) participants recently celebrated their success with College staff, funders and key stakeholders at the annual SUSE+ Celebration of Success Ceremony held at the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen recently.

Supported by the Department for the Economy under the N.I. European Social Fund and match funded by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Mid-Ulster District Council, DAERA and Radius Housing, the innovative programme, provides mentoring support, guidance and qualifications as well as support to enter sustainable employment.

The vibrant event recognised the achievements of over 1,700 participants from the SWC Omagh, Dungannon, Cookstown and Enniskillen campuses and Northern Regional Colleges Magherafelt campus, with individuals celebrating their success in a range of professional, technical and specialist short qualifications.

Key representatives, including Councillor Errol Thompson (Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council), Councillor Christine Mc Flynn (Vice Chair of Mid Ulster District Council), and Gerard Treacy (TRPSI Deputy Programme Manager, Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs, DAERA) were all in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the students.

Jacqueline Mc Dowell (Centre for Excellence Manager at SWC) welcomed students from the Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Mid-Ulster areas and paid tribute to their hard work and endeavours over the duration of the programme.

Jacqueline added: "The SUSE+ programme supports over 400 people every year to break down barriers to education or employment, with approximately 34% of participants progressing into employment and 23% progressing into education or training as a direct result of taking part in the programme. The programme makes a very positive impact to the lives of the residents living in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Mid-Ulster District Council areas and to the local economy and I would like to extend my gratitude to the Programme Funders for supporting our SUSE+ programme”.

Staff mentors Alison Farquhar and Michelle Maguire were also in attendance to congratulate the participants on their achievements, with Guest Speaker Dr Kevin Moore providing some inspirational closing remarks.

South West College work in partnership with a variety of organisations, including the Northern, Southern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts, to deliver the most extensive tailor-made programme at SWC, which helps job-seekers to move into growing sectors.

For those aged 16+ who reside within Fermanagh, Omagh and Mid Ulster District Council areas and are unemployed or economically inactive, recruitment to the SUSE+ programme is ongoing; for further information and to apply, please visit www.swc.ac.uk