Guidance facilitates people throughout their lives to manage their own educational, training, occupational, personal, social and life choices so that they reach their full potential and contribute to the development of a better society” (National Guidance Forum, 2007)
Waterford Adult Educational Guidance Service- WAEGS (formerly the Regional Educational Guidance Service for Adults- REGSA) has been under the management of Waterford Wexford ETB since January 2017. Prior to this, the service was under the management of Waterford Institute of Technology. The service is currently staffed by a guidance counsellor/ co-ordinator, Peter Lucey, and our adult guidance information officer, Antonia Splini. For those of you who are not familiar with the service we provide an educational guidance service to adults living in the areas of Waterford City and New Ross. In simple terms, the service assists adults who wish to return to or progress their education.
The information part of the service provides information on education, training and careers, qualifications and certification, assistance with C.V. preparation, college applications, funding and other appropriate supports. It includes a comprehensive and up to date career information library and computer facilities where clients can do their own research.
The guidance part of the service is delivered through one to one guidance sessions where clients are given an opportunity to explore options for training and career progression. This includes interview preparation, application forms and cover letters. In addition, clients are given the opportunity to identify their skills, interests and aptitudes, matching them with available training and education options. Furthermore, they receive support in addressing issues that may be blocking their progress. Service users can contact us via phone, e-mail or simply by dropping into our service on the WIT College St Campus, Waterford, which is very close to the city centre.
We also have a remit to work with adult education programs within the ETB including VTOS, BTEI and Adult Literacy as well as other community based adult education and training programs, some of whom are funded by Waterford Wexford ETB. Initial contact is usually made through group information or guidance sessions ranging from an introduction to the service to career and educational planning. In recent times we have also liaised with CE Schemes and
HSE Personnel and other statutory agencies in order to engage with the more
marginalised members of society. Most recently, we delivered a presentation on the service to Occupational Therapists working in HSE Mental Health Services and to the mediators with the Local Employment Service. We also delivered presentations on the educational and training options available in Waterford including organisations such as the Grow Project, a local training initiative in Ferrybank, Waterford Womens’ Centre and Ballybeg Horticulture Initiative, LTI.
Our service shares a website with the adult guidance services in Counties Waterford and Wexford. See: www.wwaegs.ie . We are very proud of our course database on the website which provides information on courses running in Counties Waterford and Wexford. Our social media incudes a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/waegs/ and Twitter @WAEGS_WC where we put up posts and tweets highlighting new courses, educational initiatives and events as well as local employment opportunities.
Co. Waterford Adult Educational Guidance Service covers the county and townlands of Waterford, our offices are located in the Adult Education Centre Wolfe Tone Road Dungarvan. We do outreach support both in Cappoquin and Tramore Adult Education Centres. We pride ourselves in being an active presence in these areas by providing educational guidance, support, advice, assistance and information to those who wish to return or access Further Education and Training.
The Co Wexford Adult Educational Guidance Service is a free and confidential service providing information on adult education and training opportunities as well as one to one guidance to support people in making informed educational, career and life choices. The service is a countywide service and is currently staffed by Rosarii Curran, Adult Guidance Counsellor and Mary-Ruth Tobin, Adult Guidance Information Officer.
Adults can access our services at any of the Adult Learning Centres/ Training Centres in Wexford, Enniscorthy, Gorey and Bunclody. We also liaise with Occupational Therapists within the HSE Community Mental Health service, local mental health support groups such as CAHMS and Asylum Seeker/Refugee support workers offering group workshops and one to one guidance where required. We link in with community projects and local training initiatives such as Barnardos young parents groups and FDYS traveller and LGBTQ group.