Working for Work : Chapter 6 : Training & Education

Industrial Related Training

Industry Related Training

FÁS Specific Skills Training Courses

FÁS run a large number and range of training courses through its national network of training centres.

These courses are run in the daytime and evenings, with some Safe Pass courses run on Saturdays. They are aimed at people who wish to acquire new skills or up-date existing skills. There are a vast range of Specific Skills and Traineeship courses available including office/computer based, electronics, business, construction, personal services, pre-employment/job clubs and many others (Visit the FÁS website for a full listing www.fas.ie).

The duration of Courses can vary, but typically last 4-6 months. To apply, register with your local FÁS Employment Services Office where you will receive a guidance interview to determine the most relevant training avaliable for you. Most FÁS courses are certified with FETAC Awards or other vocational awarding body certificates.

i Priority on Daytime courses are for people who are unemployed, other applicants may be identified through the guidance interview. The evening time and Saturday courses are open to everyone, but in most cases there is a fee.

FÁS Training Allowances

Persons participating in FÁS Training Schemes may be entitled to a FÁS training allowance.

Jobseeker's Benefit/Jobseeker's Allowance:

Your payment is suspended. You will receive a FÁS training allowance of the same amount. You will get a training bonus of €20 per week if you: Have been getting Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance for 12 months or more, or Are progressing from at least 12 months on a FÁS Community Employment (CE) or Job Initiative (JI) programme or have been involved in a combination of the above. For example, if you have been getting Jobseeker's Benefit for 6 months and have been on a Community Employment scheme for another 6 months of the previous year.

Disability Allowance or Blind Pension:

Your Disability Allowance or Blind Pension is suspended but you will get a FÁS training allowance of the same amount. You will get a training bonus of €20 per week. You will keep any secondary benefits, such as your medical card or travel pass.

Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension:

You will keep your Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension (but you must get an exemption from the Department of Social Protection authorising you to do the FÁS course). You will get a FÁS training allowance. You will not get a training bonus. You will keep your secondary benefits.

One-Parent Family Payment:

You will keep your One-Parent Family Payment (but it will be reduced as your FÁS training allowance will be assessed against it as income). You will get a FÁS training allowance. You will not get a training bonus of €20 per week, unless you are progressing from at least 12 months on a CE Scheme or Job Initiative programme.

 

Persons who declare they have a disability on registration with FÁS will be considered a priority case for training. Any specialist equipment/adaptation that a disabled trainee may require, FÁS will endeavour to have in place before commencement of training, if prior notice has been given. Any such requirements should be discussed with your Employment Services Officer.

• If you have been in receipt of Carer's Allowance for 12 months or more before starting the course you will receive an additional €20.00 weekly allowance while on the course.
• Some money may be paid towards accommodation costs if you are living away from home during the course. The maximum rates are - Daily Rate €13.98, Weekly Rate €69.90.
• A travel allowance may be paid if the Training Centre is three or more miles or five kilometers or more from where you live.
• A lunch allowance of €4.00 a week may be paid to full time course participants (for lunch outside the Training Centre).
• If the partner of a person who is claiming a Social Welfare payment takes part on a FÁS non-craft training course then the qualified adult portion of the Social Welfare payment is automatically lost - but the person on the course will receive a training allowance.
• If you are claiming a Rent or Mortgage Supplement, talk to your CWO before taking up the course (see Chapter 2 for Rent Supplement Assessments and Chapter 7 for contact details for CWOs).

How to apply

You must be registered with and apply through FÁS to participate in any of their training courses. Your Employment Services Officer (ESO) at your local FÁS office can advise you on the range of training options available to you. Following a guidance interview you can be referred or booked on a relevant course and FÁS will contact you when a place becomes available.

You should keep in regular contact with your ESO about training opportunities. The interview with your local ESO will assist you in looking at the options available.

Traineeship Programme

Traineeships are skill development programmes run in partnership between FÁS and employers in many sub-sectors of employment. They seek to use the best match of FÁS Certificates in named occupations by FETAC, the Further Education and Training Awards Council.

Industry agreed standards for in-company training is reflected in the work place training record, which specifies the workplace training elements. The structure of the programme and recognition of its certification enables participants to progress to further training, education and employment opportunities and supports the development of clear "career paths" for individuals in an occupational field.

Standard FÁS training allowances are paid. Employer resources and expertise are utilised to provide a quality-training programme for unemployed people.

Traineeships comprise training in a FÁS or FÁS approved training centre combined with training in the workplace with a host employer. Research has shown that Traineeship enjoys a very high rate of work placement for programme participants.

Essential elements of Traineeships include the involvement of employers in the selection of trainees, development of the curriculum, certification and on-the-job training. Training is standards based and leads to the award of National Skills qualification.

Apprenticeships

An Apprenticeship is a way of combining work experience and training to get a "trade" or become a qualified craftsperson.

During the apprenticeship your employer provides you with on-the-job training and work experience. You also receive off-the-job training in a local FÁS training centre or educational college.

Apprentice rates differ depending on the trade and stage of the apprenticeship of the participant.

To obtain an apprenticeship you must: - be at least 16 years old and - have at least a grade D in any 5 subjects in the Junior Certificate (or equivalent grades in other approved examinations), and - you must obtain a job as an apprentice with a suitable employer, who can offer you an apprenticeship in your chosen occupation, and - your employer must register you with FÁS as an apprentice at the start of your apprenticeship, within two weeks of your recruitment. If you do not meet these requirements there are a number of ways in which it is still possible to qualify for an apprenticeship. - You can satisfactorily complete a preparation and training course approved by FÁS and are successful at an assessment interview. - You may qualify if you are over 18 years of age, have a minimum of 3 years work experience relevant to your chosen occupation and are successful at an assessment interview.

i A special Bursary Payment of €2,667 aimed at encouraging women into apprenticeships is available, please contact your local FÁS office for further information.

 

FÁS will endeavour to have in place before commencement of training any appropriate specialist equipment/adaptation that a disabled trainee may require, if prior notice has been given. Any such requirements should be discussed with your Employment Services Officer.

Redundancy and Apprentices

FÁS, with the support of the Social Partners, is providing a temporary Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme for apprentices who have been made redundant due to the reduction in activity in the construction industry.

Contact FÁS for more information visit www.fas.ie

Teagasc

Teagasc is Ireland's agricultural and food development authority. It provides research, advisory and training services to the agricultural and food industry. There are fees for meals and accommodation at residential courses. Teagasc pay the colleges a maintenance grant but students must pay the balance. There is no fee for non-residential students. There is a fee for courses that do not have a residential option.

There are no minimum education entry requirement for Teagasc courses.

After completing their first year, students should obtain a FETAC Level Four Vocational Certificate and can usually go on to study for a second year to earn a FETAC Level Five Certificate. For more details, contact TEAGASC at (059) 917 0200.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

BIM is the agency responsible for vocational training of personnel in all sectors of the Irish seafood industry. Training is provided through the coastal training services, which encompasses the National Fisheries College, the Regional Fisheries Centre and two mobile Coastal training Units. For more information on training and education services available contact BIM at (01) 214 4100.

Fáilte Ireland

Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority to guide and promote the evolution of tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.

Skills Training

The Skills Training Division provides entry-level skills for those joining the tourism industry. Typically these training programmes are offered in a variety of formats and cover key operational areas such as culinary skills, restaurant services skills, and bartending skills.

Programmes are run at Fáilte Ireland's permanent Training Centres in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. A number of temporary training centres are regularly established at other regional locations each year in conjunction with community groups, Area Partnerships and industry organisations. Core elements of the service include: -

Accredited training: The programmes lead to a recognised award from the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), and in most cases position graduating trainees to pursue their craft education to a higher award level in the Institute of Technology sector

Return to Work:

All programmes support those wishing to secure the skills required to get back in to full-time or part-time employment. Related to this is a growing interest in programmes that equip third level students with some of the elementary skills required to work safely on a part-time basis in tourism and hospitality

For more information on courses call Fáilte Irelands "People in Tourism" centre on callsave 1850 256 256

Last Updated: 06/09/2011 ^ back to top