In pictures: Donegal ETB celebrates student success at annual awards presentation

Further Education and Training (FET) students who attended FET Centres in Letterkenny (Port Road) and Milford received course certificates at an awards event.  

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Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) hosted the event to celebrate the outstanding achievements of students from across a range of Level 4, 5, and 6 FET courses, which took place in the centres during the 2024/2025 academic year.

Building on the success of previous years, the presentation of awards brought together nearly seventy former students, their families, educators, and invited guests for an evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.

Certificates were presented across a range of courses, including Early Learning and Care, Healthcare, Health Service Skills, Intellectual Disability Practice, and Pathways.

Student of the Year Awards were presented to a number of students in recognition of both personal and academic achievements while undertaking their courses.

The awards, which were presented by Donegal ETB Chairperson Cllr Terry Crossan, not only honoured academic excellence but also personal growth, commitment, and the transformative power of lifelong learning.

“Tonight’s celebration reflects the very essence of Donegal ETB,” Cllr Crossan said. “Empowering individuals through inclusive, high-quality education and training that changes lives. Our award recipients have demonstrated resilience, commitment, and a belief in their potential to grow and succeed. 

“Their achievements remind us that education is not just about gaining qualifications, it is about building confidence, strengthening communities, and creating real opportunities for the future.

“We are proud to support students from all walks of life and remain committed to making education accessible, innovative, and transformative for everyone.”

Some of last year’s students spoke of their own personal learning journeys of resilience, transformation, and new beginnings through education. The recognition of adult learners who returned to education later in life demonstrated that it's never too late to begin learning. Their stories inspired everyone in attendance and highlighted the importance of education as a pathway to confidence, employment, and personal development.

“The certificates awarded tonight are more than just qualifications - they symbolise courage, belief, and new beginnings,” Ciaran O’Brien, Donegal ETB’s Director of Further Education and Training, added. “We are immensely proud of every student who took that brave step toward change.”