A young man from Donegal, Ireland, is on his way to carving out a legal career after getting a second chance at education. 

Pierce, 23, is studying for a Law degree at Atlantic Technological University (ATU). However, he didn’t take the usual route to university. After illness caused Pierce to miss most of his third year at post-primary school, he struggled with having to repeat fourth year and decided to leave school. 

‘I thought that was me, my education was over, until a friend suggested Youthreach.’ 

Co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), Youthreach currently operates 110 centres across Ireland – with almost 6 000 places available. Each centre offers supportive ‘second chance’ learning environments to gain qualifications, skills, and certifications allowing progression to a higher level of education or employment. 

Youthreach emphasises personal development, integrating life skills courses in most of its programmes. Centres continued helping students throughout the pandemic, thanks to preparation and a swift transition into online learning for students to access courses remotely. Sessions were provided to cover mental health awareness and psychological support to teachers, parents and guardians. 

At first, Pierce saw Youthreach as ‘something to do’, supported by an allowance, but he soon learned it was an invaluable opportunity for learning and self-development. 

Pierce, who has dyslexia, enjoyed how each subject was taught. Tutors used flexible, individualised, student-centred approaches to deliver various subjects, including vocational skills and personal development, alongside maths, English, and computing. 

‘The funny thing about Youthreach for me, towards the end of it, I was more happy with how much I developed as a person,’ says Pierce. ‘I developed in confidence, people skills, and things that are important in life,’ he said. 

After a Youthreach Advocate helped Pierce identify college as a goal, he gained the qualifications necessary to start an Access programme at ATU, giving him a taste of the offered university courses. Pierce knew immediately that Law was for him, and is now in his third year of a Level 8 degree.  

‘Without Youthreach, I wouldn’t be in college that’s for sure,’ he says. ‘Ultimately, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.’ 

Pierce is on track to achieve his goals, thanks to Youthreach. 

Youthreach’s positive learning environment and inclusive approach helps learners achieve their full potential, winning national awards for innovation and leadership skills. 

The success and transformative impact of Youthreach will be continued in the future.