In a recent job training workshop in Wheatley Hall, a group of Irish youth - - both Protestant and Catholic - - worked cooperatively in small groups discussing career paths, job skills, and American work culture. Ranging in age from 18 to 26, many of them had never left their hometowns in Ireland, but all came to Boston to improve their lives. From divided communities, they shared a common goal: individual improvement.
These participants in a special Division of Continuing Education
professional training program receive weekly training seminars at
UMass Boston designed to complement eight-week internships at Bell
Atlantic, arranged by the Lexington-based Concept Group. The program
is funded by the International Fund for Ireland's Wider Horizons
Program, which sees the transformation of individuals as key to the
region's social, political, and economic development.
DCE Program Coordinator Stuart Phillips explained the importance of
developing the skills of individuals: "When you're talking about
economic development, it's individuals that count. Each person's
success is a step towards a healthier and more prosperous society."
More than anything, success is on the minds of program participants.
Mary Maples of Dublin said, "The computer training is very important.
I'm learning quite a bit." Sitting alongside her, David Stirling of
Belfast said, "Yes, the job training is very valuable." The two will
return to their respective hometowns at the end of April with these
skills - - and the memory of friendships and camaraderie developed in
Boston.
Phillips explained, "The International Fund for Ireland has an
economic and political mission. The economic mission is the
continuing economic development of Ireland, and the political mission
is bringing young people from very divided communities together,
people who would not normally have a chance to work together, or even
sometimes meet." The Division of Continuing Education will host three
or four subsequent programs in late spring and summer.
- - By Ann Marie Kent