Former Kells school gets new lease of life as training centre

Part of the old Technical School in Kells which was refurbished by Meath Vocational Education Committee last year has undertaken a new life - as a hairdressing salon. The old school had its name changed to Alpha Learning Centre and the innovations in the new set-up include a hairdressing salon which is part of the Back to Education Initiative. The salon is fully equipped and gives the learners an opportunity to learn the basics in a real salon environment. Learners have the opportunity to train for a FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Hairdressing and will be trained to the level of second year improver. The course is part-time and runs over four mornings a week. Applications for the next course in September are currently being accepted. All courses run by BTEI are free to men and women who have not completed their education to Leaving Certificate standard and are also free to anyone who has a full medical card or means-tested social welfare payment. Applications are being accepted for the Social Care/Social Studies course running two evenings a week in the new Kells centre, starting in September. This is a FETAC Level Five course suitable for anyone who is interested in or already working in the social care area. Contact Imelda Prunty on (046) 906 8284 for further details.