Centres of Education and Training
The network of Centres of Education and Training (CETs) provides educational programmes for Travellers aged from 18 years upwards. The Centres are located all over the country and are opened primarily to Travellers who want to improve their education and skills.
There is a network of thirty-three Centres throughout the country. The National Association of Travellers' Centres promotes and advocates on behalf of the network of Centres of Education and Training. The Centres are fully funded by the Department of Education and Science, and are managed by Vocational Education Committees.
Aim
The aim of the Centres of Education and Training is to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to successfully make the transition to work and adult life, and to participate fully in their communities.
The programmes are designed to be flexible to respond to the needs, talents and interests identified by participants. Our Centres follow a holistic-centred approach, and focus on co-operation and respect between the Traveller and "settled" communities, helping to break down the barriers of discrimination.
Many adult Travellers are now availing of second chance education in the Centres, returning back to education in vast numbers. Our participants are given a chance to recognise the value that education provides in as a result break the cycle of educational and social disadvantage that the Traveller Community has experienced for many years.
Target group
The target group is people who have left school with either minimal or no qualifications. Participants need to be at least 18 years of age; there is no upper age limit.
NATC as advisory and lobbying body for the Centres
The National Association of Travellers' Centres is recognised as the advisory and lobbying body to the Department of Education and Science and other policy-makers. It represents the interests of Centres' participants, Directors, staff and management committees.
NATC aims to promote the role of Centres of Education and Training as educators and skills providers and to support the Travelling community in achieving social inclusion and advancement through education and training. This aim is to be fulfilled having full cognisance of Traveller culture and identity.
History
The network of Centres of Education and Training has been providing a quality service for Travellers and others for the past thirty-five years.
Originally, the Centres of Education and Training were called "Senior Traveller Training Centres". The centres were established in 1974 to provide basic compensatory education for Travellers between the ages of 15 and 25, although the upper age limit has since been abolished.
The first centre opened in Ennis in 1974, 13 more within the following decade and the remaining centres were established within the following years.
Funding
The programme is aided by the European Social Fund. The administration of the Centres is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Science, administered locally through the Vocational Education Committees (VECs).