The Waterford Local Enterprise Office Nurturing a New Generation of Craft Skills with Waterford VTOS, WWETB.
Waterford VTOS has a long partnership with the Waterford Local Enterprise Office in nurturing the skills and talents of adult learners especially in Craft and Fashion Design. Beginning with the “First Flight Initiative” a number of years back, the Local Enterprise Office has provided a workshop settings in the Kite Design Centre for Craft and Fashion Design students to design and create their bespoke creations. This summer, First Year Craft students, Majella Kervick and Michelle Dunne, got the opportunity in the Kite Design Centre to create, showcase and sell their jewellery. Bespoke jewellery is created from copper, beading, glass and enamelled metal taking inspiration from nature and organic forms. The skills of crafting jewellery from glass, metal and enamel were taught in Waterford VTOS, Durands Court as part of the QQI Level 5, Art, Craft and Design course. Cormac Leane, Craft Course Tutor, stated that the focus of the Art, Craft and Design course is to equip students with the skills to create craft and design pieces in a small workshop setting. Graduates of the course then have the option of developing their craft skills further by going on to college or setting up their own craft enterprise.
Both Majella and Michelle are delighted with the opportunity provided to them by the Waterford Local Enterprise sponsoring their placements in the Kite Design Centre. “It was an invaluable experience. I have learned so much and my confidence has grown” said Majella. “It was a great opportunity to develop our skills, to meet customers and to learn how to sell and the lads in the Irish Handmade Glass, were always on hand to give advice. The Enterprise Office are going to help us build on this experience too” Michelle observed.
Helena Finlay, VTOS Co-ordinator, mentioned the invaluable assistance of the Waterford Local Enterprise Office in developing and encouraging students to look at enterprise as a career pathway. “The Waterford Local Enterprise Office has supported so many of our graduates, namely Lucia Domoradova, proprietor of “Lutsia” boutique who design fascinators and accessories for the discerning lady. This autumn, the Waterford Local Enterprise Office, will be supporting enterprise workshops for our learners. There is so much talent in Waterford and it is great to have the support of the Local Enterprise Office in supporting and developing talent.”
For more information about Waterford VTOS, phone Fintan or Helena at 051 852803 or see our website www.adulteducationcentre.ie and Facebook page WAEC VTOS.