Higher Certificate Group

Waterford Women’s Centre began the first project based delivery of the Higher Certificate in Community Education and Development in 2004. This was in direct response to the need for progression expressed by the groups within the centre and women active in other community projects in the city and county.

The Higher Certificate is a recognised qualification in community leadership which can lead to paid employment within the sector and also progression onto degree level. This programme is supported by an interagency group which includes Waterford Institute of Technology, FAS, DSFA and Waterford City VEC. The Higher Certificate is accredited by Waterford Institute of Technology.

The programme is delivered using creative and integrated approaches which blend modules together through collective learning and assessment – developing an understanding of the linkages between the modules and a real experience of the learning in practice. For example, the photograph below is of the current Higher Cert. group with their art installation, a piece of work which is aimed at highlighting the issue of violence against women. This work integrated the community arts and social analysis modules and it went on public display in two venues in Waterford City in 2008/2009.