Primary Healthcare Training Programme (FAS LTI)

In partnership with FAS, the Co-operation Fingal Primary Health Care training programme delivers training to early school leaver and long-term unemployed Traveller women living in the North Fingal area. The programme's aims are to develop health, literacy, as well as social and employment skills among Traveller Women, and to train participants to identify and promote health issues among Traveller communities in the North Fingal area.

Participants may remain on the programme for up to three years. The first year focuses on personal and social skills, the second year on applied employment skills, while in the third year participants concentrate on specific employment skills and on attaining the primary health care FETAC Level 5 award. To date, participants have gained FETAC certification in modules such as communications, computer literacy, child development and play, caring for children, and food and nutrition. These qualifications enabled some participants to gain employment in the health sector or to progress to further education and training.

The programme is currently delivering training towards the achievement of FETAC certification at Levels 3 & 4 to fourteen participants attending on a part-time basis. The training takes place in the Traveller Resource Centre, St. Macullins Park, Matt Lane , Balbriggan. This year's programme began on the 8th of September 2008 and will run until June 2009.

The 2008-09 curriculum includes FETAC modules in communications, computer literacy, child development and play, data entry, personal care and presentation, personal effectiveness in the workplace, and preparation for work. This is delivered alongside health information and inputs from the Primary Health Care team in Matt Lane . On completion of the course, participants are encouraged to liaise with the Enterprise and Employment Co-ordinator in Co-operation Fingal to obtain support in seeking employment.

Feedback from past and present participants has been very positive, and helps us to continuously tailor the courses to ensure they meet the training needs of the Traveller Woman in the Northeast Fingal area.

For further information, please contact the FAS LTI Co-ordinator, Vivien Idogho, on 01 802 0504 or or by email at vidogho@co-operationfingal.ie