focus on your community
Sports student brings the
American dream back home
Former Kilmarnock campus HND Coaching and
Developing Sport student, Liam Dunnachie recently
returned to his hometown of Cumnock after a
nine-month stint in California teaching football.
About this amazing experience, Liam said “I was based in San Jose,
California, as a Technical Training Programme Coach where I got the
opportunity to coach children aged 6 to 19, working on their football skills.
“My goal was to teach the children what I had been taught growing up as a
player and pass on my knowledge and experience to help them improve their
overall game.
“After going to the USA, I definitely had the drive to take what I had been
doing out there and bring it back home.”
Liam has now set up a community programme in Cumnock, working with
Cumnock Juniors and coaching youngsters in the area.
“
My three years at Ayrshire College
gave me the experience and knowledge
on how to coach and how to be successful
with what I do. I loved my time at the College
and if I could do it again I would.
”
Project SEARCH
AYRSHIRE COLLEGE HELPS YOUNG
PEOPLE FIND THE RIGHT DIRECTION
PROJECT SEARCH, BASED AT UNIVERSITY
HOSPITAL CROSSHOUSE, HELPS 17-24
YEAR OLDS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
OR THOSE ON THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM
TO BENEFIT FROM TRAINING IN A REAL
WORK ENVIRONMENT.
The full-time programme runs from
September 2015 until June 2016, with
successful participants receiving support from
a job coach to prepare them for full-time
work.
19 year old Liam Colville from Cumnock
was selected for the programme last year
and is now working through a Business
Administrative Assistant apprenticeship with
East Ayrshire Council.
He has recently interviewed for a clerical
assistant position within the Council and puts
his new-found confidence and high work ethic
RAISING ASPIRATIONS INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENT
down to the skills he picked up through the
Project SEARCH programme.
Liam said “I would recommend it. As
well as the work skills you learn, it helps
you to socialise with new people who are
just like you. You become friends and I’m
still in contact with everyone from
last year.
Now Liam is looking to progress to the next
level in his career, thanks to the Project
SEARCH programme.
The Connect to Community runs every Tuesday
at YIP World. The course is suitable for learners
who require additional support and offers a range
of practical projects which help to increase
independence in life, learning and work.
To book, call 0300 303 0303.
www.ayrshire.ac.uk