Encouraging adult education for men

CLARE VEC Adult and Community Education are setting up a South Clare Men’s Shed Learning Group at their Shannon centre. It kicks off next Tuesday at 2pm with tinsmithing.

The course is free and covers a variety of activities, including shearing, soldering, raising, sinking, seaming and riveting.

Spokesperson Breda O’Driscoll said Men’s Shed Learning Groups have been in operation since last month and it’s hoped to have one in West, South, East and North Clare, as well as Ennis.

“What we’re trying to do is get men back into adult education and this is an initiative where a group of men come together and do something for themselves. In some cases it could be horticulture. We’ve done tinsmithing, we’re doing woodwork and we’re doing metalwork.

“We’re basically bringing the group together, to work together, to gel as a group and to perform a task. In the metalwork class we’ve got about 70 men coming together. They’re now meeting every Friday afternoon and they’re building a park bench, which they’re going to donate to a community group.”

She said extra efforts are needed to get men involved with adult education. “Women are better at coming in and presenting themselves for opportunities. With this we’re trying to engage with men. If we were to advertise a computer class or a cookery class, we wouldn’t necessarily get men in, whereas if we advertise something like woodwork or metalwork or something to do with practical skills, it’s easier to get them engaged. They’re a harder target group to reach.”

Anyone interested in participating or seeking further information can contact Maire at 061 365495 or Breda at 065 6843732.