Educational opportunities don't have to be of the formal, structured sort – they can be available too beyond college and school environments.

The N I Assembly Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has been welcoming the opportunities that exist for young people to learn outside of the formal educational environment.

She was speaking during a visit to the Bytes Project on the Springfield Road in Belfast. She presented training certificates to 70 young people who had completed courses in areas such as ICT, first aid, youth work training and drama.

Ms Ruane congratulated the successful students and said: “I hope that your work here has provided you with the skills and confidence to take the next step in life, whether it is into further training or into employment.”

The Bytes Project provides access to information technology and training for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 in disadvantaged areas.

Commenting on the work of the Project - which also works with the Travelling community and with young people with disabilities - Ms Ruane said: “I believe the non-formal approach to education used by Bytes is absolutely vital in providing those who have disengaged from formal education with another chance in life.

“Young people can learn skills and gain accreditation in an environment that supports their needs and that can inspire them to undertake further training or enter employment.

"It can provide an alternative route to employment to those who otherwise would enter the labour market with neither the skills, nor the qualifications needed by employers.

"The value of this type of education cannot be underestimated," she said.

(BMcC)