Adult courses exhibition to attract record numbers

COURSES that can help take the boredom out of retirement or assist in launching a new career will all be on display at an exhibition in Cork City Hall this week.

The 33rd Adult Education & Training Exhibition, which opens in the concert hall tomorrow evening, is expected to attract a record number of visitors as growing numbers of job seekers attempt to improve their skills and work prospects.

There will also be a number of workshops in the Millennium Hall on Wednesday afternoon aimed at unemployed people, where they can hear how to go about finding the best course for their individual circumstances or how to improve their CVs, with one of the events placing a special focus on helping men.

“Many people use the internet to find information but there’s nothing quite like being able to ask questions and discuss your specific needs face to face with those offering classes and activities,” said Tina Neylon, one of the exhibition organisers.

The exhibition is the 33rd run by the Cork Adult Education Council, a group of volunteers that includes some of those involved in the first event in the late 1970s.

As well as information about courses in third-level colleges and further education programmes run by City of Cork VEC, many private sector providers will also be promoting their programmes.

From sailing lessons or fine art courses right up to PhDs, all interests and levels of qualification are catered for by around 80 exhibitors, with details also available about evening classes getting under way soon at community schools and other venues.

“We had a huge surge in attendance last year, and the workshops for the unemployed were very popular as they gave people a lot of practical advice on their entitlements and opportunities they might not otherwise be aware of,” Ms Neylon said.

There is free entry to the exhibition and workshops, while a debate on Thursday night about how education and training should respond to unemployment has Senators Dan Boyle (Green Party), Michael McCarthy (Labour Party), Gerry Buttimer and Cork City Council member Chris O’Leary (Sinn Féin) confirmed as panel members.

The exhibition opening times at Cork City Hall are: Tuesday, 5pm to 9pm; Wednesday, 1.30pm to 6.30pm; Thursday 5pm to 9pm.