Education & Training Programmes
One Family Employability Programmes
The One Family Programmes Service provides adult education and training to people parenting alone or sharing parenting. The service aims to develop and provide a range of best practice programmes that empower people to take the next steps into education or work. Our free education programmes – New Steps and New Futures will give you the confidence, skills and support you need to progress to education and employment. All participants will have access to regular one to one support from their key worker.
Skillnet
Skillnet Ireland enhances the skills and employability of learners, leading to increased career mobility and greater life opportunities. Skillnet Ireland is committed to supporting learners at all levels in the workforce, from managers to business owners, and from employees to people seeking employment.
Skillnet recognise that many adult learners have a strong desire to develop through work-related experiences. Their programmes offer the opportunity to learn through an approach that reflects the real world of work, and the mutual needs of enterprise and learners.
Skills Connect
Skills Connect is designed in partnership with enterprise to enhance cross-sector employability and support people who have lost their jobs. These bespoke upskilling and training solutions, designed by enterprise, are aimed at supporting your re-entry into the workforce.
Skills Connect offers free online training programmes and enterprise-led virtual job placements to jobseekers looking for new jobs and careers. This valuable initiative offers individuals the opportunity to develop new skills or reskill, build confidence and access practical on-the-job training.
Springboard+
The target groups for Springboard+ part-time courses are people who have lost their jobs and are now unemployed and who need to up-skill or re-skill to help them to regain employment in the future. Springboard offers courses at Certificate, Degree and Masters level, in areas where there are employment opportunities. Most of the courses are part time hours so you can keep your current social welfare payment while you attend the course. If you wish to pursue an ICT skills conversion course offered on a full time basis you may be able to transfer to the Back to Education Allowance. All courses lead to qualifications in enterprise sectors which are growing and need skilled personnel, including information and communications technology (ICT); manufacturing; international financial services; and key skills for enterprise to trade internationally. Qualifications are also available in cross-enterprise skills such as innovation, enterprise/entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and project management. To be eligible for a part time Springboard course you must be a jobseeker in receipt of one of the following payments; Jobseekers (Allowance or Benefit), One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension, Widow’s Pension or Deserted Wives Allowance. You are also eligible if you were previously self-employed, signing for credits or on a government employment programme.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a training and education programme. It mixes learning in a college or training institution with work-based learning with an employer. At least half of apprenticeship learning is done on the job. As an apprentice, you earn while you learn. You have a formal employment contract, and you’re paid a salary during your apprenticeship training. Apprenticeships can last between two and four years.
Education, Training and Development Option
The Education, Training and Development Option (ET&D) allows you to keep your Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit payment while taking part in a shorter duration course. These include personal development courses, basic education, such as literacy classes, general training courses and training for specific job skills.
This option is also available if you are getting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), without affecting your weekly payment.
Part-Time Education Option
The Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) allows you to keep your Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit while you attend a part-time day, evening, distance or online education or training course.
The Part-Time Education Option is also available if you are getting a COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), without affecting your weekly payment.
Part-time courses provided such as those from Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Springboard+, Skillnet’s Skills Connect course and others are available through this option.
Training Support Grant
If you have a skills gap that could prevent you from applying for a job, the Training Support Grant (TSG) funds quick access to short-term training if you are on a jobseekers payment – including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit or the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).
A grant of up to €1,000 is available towards the cost of your course where similar courses are not currently available free of charge from other programmes and agencies such as SOLAS or the Education and Training Boards (ETBs).