A pilot project organised by the Western Education and Library Board's (WELB) Youth Service Wider Key Skills programme for youth clubs has been described as a 'resounding success' by the Vice-Chairman of the SELB/WELB Joint Youth Committee Councillor Thomas O' Reilly at the celebration event held in Gortatole Outdoor Education Centre.

The 'Growing, Learning and Developing' (GLAD) programme piloted in six youth clubs in the WELB area and in two in the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) area. Of the 136 participants, 83% gained 2.25 GCSEs, while the remainder all recorded GCSE points for their efforts.

The GLAD programme provides young people aged 14–17 with the opportunity to gain GCSEs in the more informal setting of a youth club. The course runs for three hours per session for a total of 150 hours and is accredited by ASDAN and endorsed by CCEA to award 2.25 GCSEs for three Wider Key Skills at Level 2.

Councillor Thomas O'Reilly, Vice-Chairman of the Joint Youth Committee thanked YESIP, who administered and financed the Peace II Extension programme, while acknowledging the programme's designer, the late Gerry McIntyre.

Gerard Doran, Head of SELB/WELB Youth Services, paid tribute to the programme's co-ordinators, Liam Curran and Yvonne McKeever and to its administrator, Diane Coyle: "The success of this programme is due to the quality working relationships between the youth worker and the young people taking part. The fact that 136 young people completed such a long course of study is a tribute to the youth worker's skills."