2010 Annual Report Published

The 2010 Annual Report of Co. Louth Vocational Education Committee (CLVEC) was approved by the Committee at its April meeting. This report sets out the key activities and developments of CLVEC during 2010. It includes reports from individual schools, institutes and centres. These reports provide a flavour of the type of activity and the broad range of services that our organisation provides to a very diverse group of learners and service users. This document also reports on corporate governance, finance and human resources and serves as a key aspect of our accountability mechanism to the Minister for Education and Skills.

It is clear from the Annual Report that 2010 was an extremely successful and productive year for our organisation. The number of people seeking and accessing the schools and programmes of CLVEC expanded over the past year with increases in participation rates at all levels. During 2010, CLVEC provided education and related services to 2,441 students at post-primary level, 1,618 students at post-leaving certificate level, with 8,152 learners participating in adult and continuing education programmes and services.

As an organisation that continues to improve its services in order to respond to changing needs, Co. Louth VEC engaged in a number of key developments during 2010. Significant among these was the development and launch of the 2010-2015 Education Plan, providing CLVEC with a road map for the years ahead. Other developments during 2010 included further improvements and extensions to schools, institutes and centres, in order to modernise facilities and cater for the growing number of learners. The support and development of staff in the delivery of high quality learning experiences was supported by a greatly enhanced Continuing Professional Development service and the introduction of self-evaluation for a number of subject departments in schools.

The further development of part-time evening classes and the Traveller Integration Project are examples of how CLVEC responds in a timely fashion to changing needs in terms of the services it provides. New ventures included the exploratory work carried out in relation to the proposed establishment of a Gaelcholáiste by CLVEC, as well as the exciting possibilities associated with the innovative Music Education Partnership.

In the report, the CEO Dr. Pádraig Kirk and the Chairperson of CLVEC Cllr. Anthony Donohoe acknowledged the hard work, dedication and professionalism of staff in the provision of high quality services and stated that, despite cutbacks to resources, CLVEC staff continue to provide an excellent, responsive and innovative service to the people of Co. Louth and its hinterland. Cllr. Donohue expressed his gratitude to Cllr. Oliver Tully, who stepped down as Chairperson of CLVEC in 2010, having held the position for six years. Also acknowledged was the support and advice of the Committee and subcommittees, board members, parents associations and local partners.