On Tuesday, March 10, the GRETB Open Day at the Galmont Hotel proved an outstanding success, bringing together more than 2,000 attendees including over 30 schools and over 60 stands for a dynamic celebration of learning, skills development and community partnership.
The event highlighted the full depth and breadth of GRETB’s Further Education and Training (FET ) provision, with representation from employers across Galway and Roscommon, the Department of Social Protection, As I Am, the Traveller Incentivisation Programme, GRETB Recruitment, the National Apprenticeship Office and the National Tertiary Office.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with educators, current learners, employers and support services, gaining practical insights into the many pathways available – including full?time and part?time courses, apprenticeships, traineeships, tertiary programmes, employer services and more. A series of live interactive workshops ran throughout the day, including Music Generation Galway County sessions, live cooking demonstrations, and hair and beauty showcases, alongside well?attended panel talks covering progression routes, female representation in craft apprenticeships, skills needs and learner experiences.
A thoughtfully designed sensory room and GRETB’s Learner Support Team ensured the event was accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all - something strongly aligned with GRETB’s commitment to learner?centred provision.
The scale of participation and the overwhelmingly positive feedback demonstrate the growing appetite for flexible, high?quality education and training opportunities across Galway and Roscommon. GRETB extends sincere thanks to all exhibitors, staff, partner organisations and visitors who contributed to making the day such a strong success.
Plans are already underway to build on this momentum for next year’s event, with an ambition to make it even more impactful for schools, adult learners, employers and communities across the region. For information on GRETB, visit www.gretb.ie
