With unemployment rising fast, education is the key to remaining competitive in the jobs market. And there are many options out there for those looking to retrain or upskill
AS DOLE QUEUES get longer, more and more people are considering a return to education or training in order to gain qualifications or to update their existing skills. It is a huge step both financially and time-wise, but is it feasible? If so, what opportunities exist for adult learners in today’s climate? Here is a guide to just some of the available courses.
CONSTRUCTION
For workers with site experience but no formal qualifications, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) runs a Chartered Institute of Building certificate and diploma in site management (www.cif.ie).
Fás runs many construction-related courses ranging from kerbing and paving to roofing. Up-skilling with an eye on eco-friendly techniques such as home insulation or retro-fitting is a wise move. A number of private companies as well as public institutions provide qualifications in building energy rating, renewable energies, energy management systems and other eco-friendly skills. Sustainable Energy Ireland provides a list of approved training providers, all of whom provide recognised qualifications. See www.sei.ie for further details.
IT Blanchardstown is offering courses in engineering as part of its Start Over programme, aimed at the unemployed (www.itb.ie/site/startover).
For a list of construction courses available in universities, institutes of technology as well as VEC colleges, see www.qualifax.ie.
HOSPITALITY
Fáilte Ireland runs free short skills courses in bar, culinary and catering skills that are also subject to grant aid for, among others, adult learners and the unemployed. The courses last from 13 to 16 weeks and are run in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. See www.failteireland.ie or www.picktourism.ie.
Fás offers courses for people who are interested in training as outdoor or leisure centre instructors or beauty therapists.
A number of institutions including WIT offer degrees in hospitality management while NUI Maynooth and DIT both offer a master’s degree in the subject.
ICT
For those wishing to upgrade their Information Communications Technology qualification or gain a qualification to show for their experience in the sector, DIT offers Upskill – a one year part-time programme suitable for people who already have some relevant qualifications but not enough to meet the entry requirements for the part-time B Eng Tech of electronic and computer systems.
DCU offers a graduate diploma in information technology, designed for graduates who wish to do an IT converter course, but also for IT professionals who are looking to up-skill and broaden their career path.
As part of its Start Over programme, IT Blanchardstown is offering courses in computing for people who have been made redundant. See www.itb.ie/site/startover.
Fás provides a number of ICT courses, such as programming, network security and web design online through www.ecollege.ie. It also provides courses for job seekers, from basic ECDL-certified computer skills to web design.
Oscail, DCU’s online and distance learning programme, offers a degree and a diploma in IT as well as master’s degrees in areas such as operations management, internet systems and information systems strategy. See www.oscail.ie for further information.
National College of Ireland offers a two-year higher certificate in computing, which is ideal for people looking to work in IT support roles. See www.ncirl.ie.
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
National College of Ireland is offering a workforce development programme called Progressions to assist disadvantaged young people, people with disabilities and older workers to enter financial services jobs. See www.ncirl.ie.
There is still relative demand for fully or part-qualified accountants in the financial sector. See the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Irish website (http://ireland.accaglobal.com) or Qualifax.ie.
The UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business offers a two-year part-time executive MBA in financial services, specifically aimed at those with experience in the financial sector. Graduates are eligible for the Certified Banker (CeB) designation.
UCD offers a distance-learning option for those wishing to gain a diploma or a degree in financial services. Short courses are also offered by the following: UCD, Griffith College, Independent Colleges and ACE Training Ltd.
NUI Maynooth offers a foundation course in economics and finance for people who have no formal qualifications in the area. See http://adulteducation.nuim.ie for details.
An MSc in Financial Management and Control is offered by Hibernia College as an online option. See www.hiberniacollege.net.
RETAIL
Fás offers a number of retail-related courses. Retail Sales is a day course and there are more specialised programmes in pharmacy sales and telesales. There are also traineeships available for people interested in becoming sales and marketing assistants. Fás’s eCollege offers courses in business for those wishing to diversify.
North Connaught College in Sligo offers a certificate in business studies combined with fashion retail, while further education colleges in Killester, Limerick and Castlebar all offer level five certificates in marketing.
A new start? What's available in the colleges . . .
DUBLIN REGION
National College of Ireland (www.ncirl.ie) offers a one-year programme in employment skills aimed at people who have not completed a Leaving Cert.
Start Over IT Blanchardstown (www.itb.ie/ site/startover) is running a range of courses aimed at people who are unemployed.
IADT Back to Education Initiative
IADT (www.iadt.ie) offers three business programmes for unemployed people, running from March to September, at Year 1 level.
IT Tallaght is currently developing a 10-week preparatory course for people wishing to return to education. Details will appear on www.ittdublin.ie shortly.
Upskill at DIT is an event on April 22nd, from 3.30pm to 7.30pm in DIT Aungier Street. It is aimed at anyone who wants to update their qualifications, add new qualifications or change career direction. Details will soon appear on www.dit.ie.
Professional Development Services (PDS) in DIT is developing CPD modules in a number of different disciplines that will enable people who have a certain level of qualification to add to that to enable them to diversify in their careers. See www.dit.ie/pds.
DIT Hothouse offers a drop-in advice service for people who may have a good idea about starting their own business but don’t have the experience. For more information, see www.dit.ie/hothouse.
REST OF LEINSTER
Dundalk IT (ww2.dkit.ie) offers several Back to College Access Programmes which will give people the foundation skills needed for third-level study.
Dundalk IT’s School of Engineering is also providing bridging routes for apprenticeship holders wishing to return to education.
Enterprise Support Programmesare offered in the Regional Development Centre in DKIT. Supports include provision of office space, mentoring support, and also assistance with getting access to funding.
Labour Market Action Initiatives in IT Carlow (www.itcarlow.ie) include 15-week fast-track courses at first-year level at its Carlow and Wexford Campuses. There is a range of courses available to those in receipt of welfare payments.
SOUTHERN REGION
CIT (www.cit.ie, 021-4326142/769) is offering a number of compressed first-year undergraduate courses beginning on March 16th. The college also offers a short preparatory course aimed at preparing individuals for mainstream education.
IT Tralee (www.ittralee.ie) offers a preparatory programme for people who have been out of the education system for a long time and wish to pursue a course in the college. Details of this, along with information about part-time courses and opportunities for people who hold a National Craft Qualification are available at www.ittralee.ie/en/InformationAbout/ NewsandEvents/ParttimeCourses2009 or contact Admissions Office, 066-7145638, e-mail info@ittralee.ie or Life Long Learning Dept, 066-7191701 or e-mail lifelonglearning@ittralee.ie for details.
WIT (www2.wit.ie) offers a foundation programme designed to make college entry easier. Prospective students must apply through the Regional Educational Guidance Service for Adults (REGSA). Call 051-302287 or see www.regsa.org.
NORTHWEST REGION
Letterkenny IT (www.lyit.ie) offers access programmes for people with no formal qualifications who wish to return to education. Contact the Access Office on 074-9186175 for more information.
IT Sligo (www.itsligo.ie) is offering a course in computing in response to the current crisis. For information about what is on offer contact 071-9155203. The college also
has a well-established lifelong learning programme.
WEST/MIDWEST REGION
Tus Nua (www.tusnua.ie) is a website which provides details about education and employment opportunities for people based in the midwest region.
New Directions Certificate for Higher Studies is a short-term course in AIT (www.ait.ie) that will develop skills for those who wish to re-enter the workplace. The course will commence on March 16th and will run through the summer. Contact Sarah La Cumbre on 090-6424412, slacumbre@ait.ie.
Midlands and West Enterprise Programme The MWEP is a one-year programme that provides entrepreneurs with the business skills, networks, facilities and supports necessary to navigate the business start-up process from concept to successful commercialisation. See www.mirc.ie.
GMIT (www.gmit.ie) is running a free 10-week programme aimed at people who recently lost their jobs. The course begins on Monday March 16th. Contact: 091-742129/ 091-742182, deirdre.oconnor@gmit.ie.
GMIT is also offering a free business course to people who have been made unemployed. Contact 091-742222, deirdre.lusby@gmit.ie, or Ivan McPhillips, Lecturer, School of Business (091-742608, ivan.mcphilips@gmit.ie).
LIT (www.lit.ie) has extended its mature students application deadline to May 1st.
Ideas UL is developing a potentially excellent new initiative on the website www.ideas.ie. When it is up and running in September, users will enter their education history and work details and then based on the area in which they want to work or gain qualifications, the system will recommend education modules that will fill the gaps in the user’s qualification base. It puts the learner in control and because it recommends modules rather than full courses, it will be much more time- and cost-effective than the traditional module.
DISTANCE LEARNING
Oscail DCU’s Oscail programme (www.oscail.ie) offers online and distance learning degrees. Some postgraduate programmes available through Oscail are detailed in the information technology section above.
NUIG (www.nuigalway.ie) Some of NUIGs courses are offered as distance learning options. Online options for graduates also include courses offered by Hibernia College. www.hiberniacollege.net.
NUIM offers a range of courses. For details, see http://adulteducation.nuim.ie.
UCC UCC’s Adult and Continuing Education office (www.ucc.ie/ace) offers a range of programmes from short courses (non-accredited) to postgraduate qualifications. Some of these are conducted in outreach centres in Kerry, Athlone and Dublin.
IT Sligo is offering online and distance learning courses in engineering. See www.itsligo.ie/online for further information about the courses.
