Tipperary students participate in launch of financial literacy programme

More than 30 Transition Year students from six local secondary schools gathered at the Talbot Hotel, Clonmel, on Thursday, October 23, for the launch of Horizons, a year-long development programme designed to empower the next generation to build financial literacy, leadership skills and awareness of community values.

Developed in partnership with six secondary schools across South Tipperary, the Horizons Programme combines professional mentoring, communications training, and financial literacy with hands-on learning.

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Students will gain practical insight into how their local Credit Union operates while building key transferable skills in leadership, teamwork, presentation, and community engagement.

Participants are paired with a Clonmel Credit Union mentor who will support their development throughout the year.

The launch event featured an interactive workshop led by local actors and voice artists Dylan Kennedy and Jenny Fennessy, whose stage and screen credits include The Abbey Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and BBC.

Drawing on their extensive performance experience, the duo guided students through practical exercises on communication, confidence, and presentation skills.

Students also took part in a marketing and communications session delivered by The Smart Group, exploring branding and effective presentation techniques used by industry professionals.

Fatima Iftikhar, from Loreto Secondary School, commented: “I felt it was really beneficial as we were talking in massive groups and we were doing still pictures and communicating with other TY ambassadors. I found that talking to other people really helped me get out of my comfort zone.” Another Loreto student, Chloe Thomas, added, “Being a TY Ambassador is a great experience for everyone as we're learning new things.”

Students will join TY Youth Advisory Group and represent the organisation in their schools as Clonmel Credit Union Youth Ambassadors.

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They will go on to participate in further training in the Horizon Programme, including workshops on money management and lending, Anti-Money Laundering, cybersecurity, Money Mule awareness, and social media skills, along with lighter team-building activities.

Speaking at the launch, Pádraig Enright, CEO of Clonmel Credit Union, said: “As a community-owned bank, we see this programme as an investment in future generations. These students are tomorrow’s leaders, the future employers, consumers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers in our community. Through Horizons, we want to give them the skills and financial literacy to make informed choices and contribute confidently to the region’s economic and social future.”

Clonmel Credit Union’s Horizons Programme is part of its broader commitment to youth and community development.

The Credit Union regularly delivers outreach workshops in local schools and community clubs, including Clonmel Town FC and Clonmel Rugby Club, as part of its financial literacy initiatives.

The pilot phase of the Horizons Programme runs until June 2026, concluding with a formal certificate of completion and professional reference for participating students, recognising their achievements in leadership, teamwork, and community contribution.