Mayo prize-winner at inaugural ETB Excellence Awards
JOHN Lavin, metal work instructor at Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB, was awarded a special ETB Hero award at the inaugural ETB Excellence Awards.
The awards were run by Education and Training Boards Ireland as it celebrated 10 years of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in Ireland.
The ETB Hero award recognises someone who had made an exceptional contribution to their ETB community and embodies the core values of excellence, care, respect, community, and equality.
Mr. Lavin was praised for going above and beyond to support his ETB and the wider community.
Having worked at Ballinrobe Youthreach since 2017, John has been involved in a number of initiatives, most notably his Ireland to Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, where he organised and drove a 40-foot container truck filled with supplies across Europe into Ukraine to support Ukrainians during the war. He has also been involved in an initiative to support victims of domestic abuse, as well as organising a Shoe Box appeal for the people of Albania.
The awards were presented at a special ceremony in Croke Park, which also marked ETB Day. Hosted by RTÉ newsreader and former ETB student Ray Kennedy, the event was attended by representatives from all 16 ETBs across the country.
Congratulating all the awardees, Paddy Lavelle, chief executive of ETBI, said: “The work of all ETBs - not those just officially recognised at the awards - deserves to be commended. Their commitment and passion for education, for learning and for their communities play a vital role in ensuring that there are broad and varied options for people to engage with education and training across the country, no matter what stage of their learning journey they are at.
This year is a milestone year for ETBs as we celebrate 10 years since their formation in Ireland. Over the past decade, ETBs have delivered learning and education opportunities for everyone, including primary and post primary schools, further education and training and youth services. ETBs have revolutionised Ireland’s education system, and I hope that we can continue to deliver innovative, diverse and flexible learning pathways over the next 10 years, and beyond.”