Fitness course takes unique approach

A TOP GAA player is using his talent and experience to help motivate and inspire local unemployed youth as part of a new, innovative training programme.

Philly McMahon, who was part of the Dubs All-Ireland winning team in 2011, is delivering the unique Kaizen Evolution course, which provides a FETAC level 4 Certificate in Health Related Fitness and Customer Care.

Kaizen is Japanese for continuous improvement and the course was developed by Philly. Its aim is to create training and educational opportunities to local unemployed youth, while also providing a four-week work taster in a relevant employment sector.

Philly’s Kaizen Evolution is a significant stepping stone in helping young, local adults achieve entry into the health and fitness sector. It’s hoped successful participants will progress to industry recognised level 5 and 6 NQF awards, take up third level education or secure employment in the sector.

Stakeholders in Kaizen Evolution include Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership, the Department of Social Protection, Ballymun Job Centre, Ballymun Adult Education CDETB and BK Strength and Conditioning.

The core of the programme will be delivered in Ballymun Whitehall Enterprise Centre, in BK Strength and Conditioning (Ballymun Kickhams) and Ballymun Job Centre.

Course coordinator, Gerard McLoughlin said the programme is representative of the spirit, and structures of support that exist in employment services.

“It shows that there is real and genuine human concern that exists within community development expertise that seeks to alleviate entrenched employment disadvantage and thereby encourage and foster genuinely inclusive citizenship,

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“The Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership and its partners are at the forefront of such endeavours.

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