Christmas comes early for An Cosán graduates!

Padraig Conlon 17 Dec 2021

Christmas has come early for 17 students from An Cosán community education centre in Jobstown, Tallaght, who each graduated today with a QQI Level 5 Major Award.

The graduates enjoyed an online graduation celebration with their tutors and families, having successfully completed a Level 5 course in Business Administration with Digital Skills for Work, Community Development and Social Studies, or Early Childhood Care and Education.

Congratulating the graduates, Heydi Foster, Chief Executive Officer of An Cosán, said, “The achievements that we celebrate today cannot be taken lightly.

“The challenges and obstacles you have overcome to get here are historic and unprecedented, making your educational journey quite unique.

“You have not only had to navigate through your course work, assignments, and assessments while juggling your home lives, but you have also navigated through a global pandemic, and all that has entailed.

“And yet, through all of this necessary distancing, the one common and notable thread has been the bonds you have formed with each other, the mutual support you have provided and received, the confidence that has been built through your shared experience, and the friendships you have formed in spite of it all.

“We are incredibly proud of your efforts and resilience during these challenging times.”

An Cosán graduate Lisa Brady

An Cosán graduate Paula Ryan

Ms Foster expressed her deep gratitude to the sponsors of An Cosán’s Young Women’s Education Programme, JP Morgan, who funded the organisation’s first cohort of the Business Administration and Digital Skills for Work course and who continue to support An Cosán learners to achieve their goals.

“Our business graduates’ great achievement would not have been possible without JP Morgan’s belief in An Cosán,” she said.

“Their partnership has helped us provide the supports required to run the course successfully.”

The graduates, who each received a certificate and a special gift of a Newbridge candleholder, were delighted to receive a congratulatory video message from Senator Lynn Ruane, herself a graduate of An Cosán.

“Well done on your studies and for sticking with it through what has been a difficult couple of years,” she said.

“I know I was as proud as anything when I graduated from An Cosán and then, later on, from Trinity.

“I hope you can take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge the work you have put in. It’s such an achievement, knowing that your mind and your skills and your networks are expanding.

“There is a feeling of great excitement and growth about what lies ahead on your learning journey and for your future careers.”

Martina Deans (pictured above) from Killinarden, who graduated from the Community Development and Social Studies course, said: “It was a wonderful journey with An Cosán. I met so many people and made new friends.

“As we took the journey together and helped one another out, it was amazing.

“We all had our ups and downs but we held together as a class and as friends to make sure we all kept on top of our assignments.

“As for the tutors and staff of An Cosán, they were amazing – always there with tea, coffee and scones, which were beautiful.

“The staff were so polite and helpful throughout our journey.”