Drogheda Institute open day sees record attendance
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DIFE’s Robert McLaughlin and Kaisha Larvery demonstrate DIFE’s Science facilities to Drogheda Grammar School’s Luke Cooney and Jessica McCabe. JANET GILLANDERSImage 2 of 2
Eoin Daniels, Alex O’Neill and Dainius Jacevicius from Ballymakenny College, Drogheda, explore the furniture manufacture and construction courses. JANET GILLANDERSDrogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE)'s recent open day saw a record attendance from prospective students and their families. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to explore a wide range of employment focused and academic courses, meet staff and current students, and get a feel for life in DIFE.
Visitors were able to tour the campus, participate in hands-on workshops, access guidance support to gain information on career pathways and attend informative talks about the college’s courses, including 10 new courses on offer for 2025.
“The open day has been an incredible success, with an overwhelming response from future students eager to discover what DIFE has to offer,” Davy McDonnell, principal, stated.
“We’re excited to assist students in the region to make informed choices about their future education and career opportunities available in DIFE.”
Current students Robyn Chidgey, pre-university law and criminology, Clara Gilsenan, dental nursing and Deirdre O’ Grady, fashion design spoke eloquently on why they chose a course in DIFE, their experience in the college and plans for their future education and employment.
Meanwhile, the insititue welcomed its latest intake to its Sales Apprenticeship programme. This is the second class of apprentices to commence the Sales Apprenticeship programme in the college, following on from the initial intake in January 2024.
These apprentices hail from a diverse range of sectors including communications, construction, hospitality, ICT, manufacturing, media, motor, healthcare and retail. Also present at the launch were employers programme mentors, who will support apprentices over the coming two years.
The programme is an “earn and learn” model, designed to empower the sales apprentice with underpinning knowledge, skills and competencies required to become an effective employee in this dynamic sector. It is fully funded with a €4,000 employer grant available per apprentice.
The programme was designed by industry to suit industry needs and is an excellent tool to attract and retain key talent within a business. Employers are successfully using the programme to upskill existing sales staff and to train staff who want to embark on a career in sales.