Education Reference Guide 2021-2022

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REFERENCE GUIDE

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2 Education

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Education REFERENCE GUIDE

NEWS: Third Level representatives set out plans for reopening the sector .................................... 4 NEWS: Young people endure widespread sexual harassment - report; ASTI call for research on Junior Cert Irish ..................................................................................... 5 NEWS: 10,000 free courses for unemployed, self-employed or returners to work ........................ 6 NEWS: UNESCO urges countries to prioritize teachers in Covid vaccine rollout; Too many young people going to university says educational philanthropist ................................ 7 Richie Sadlier launches SHARE - Ireland’s first online sexual health educational course for teenagers ................................................................................................................... 9 FEATURE: Data protection presents ongoing challenges for Irish institutions .............................. 10 COVER: StepIn2Tech - First steps to a career in digital technology ............................................. 13 Army Engineer Graduate Programme with the Irish Defence Forces ........................................... 16 BRIEFING: The HEAR alternative route to third level ................................................................... 20 Editor: Niall Gormley

Do you want your students to know more about the European Union? .................................... 22

Production: Michael Farrell

Montessori and dementia care at St Nicholas Montessori College .............................................. 27

Publishers Ard Education Ltd. P: 01 832 9246 E: education@clubi.ie www.educationmagazine.ie Design Real Issues 086-8986827 Printers W&G Baird Ltd At the time of press information in Education is believed to be accurate and authoritative.

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Acceptance of advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the publishers. © 2021. All rights reserved.

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ISSN 0791-6161

FEATURE: The ENERGE Project - A co-designed approach to energy saving in schools ................ 24 FEATURE: Narrative 4 Empathy Education .................................................................................. 28 Drama education at Griffith College .......................................................................................... 31 BA honours in Geography and Outdoor Education .................................................................... 33 NEWS: Praise for Irish 'professionalising' postgraduate research education; €40 million for North-South new research programme ............................................................. 35 Theology as an education in wisdom ......................................................................................... 37 What is Social Care? .................................................................................................................. 38 BRIEFING: The DARE route to third level access .......................................................................... 40 See your career going places with the ESB Networks Apprenticeship Programme ...................... 42 Solas Smart Choices: How FET and Apprenticeships can take you where you want to go .......... 45 BRIEFING: Irish and British qualifications comparison .................................................................. 46 Liberties College - The Pathway to YOUR Future ........................................................................ 48 NEWS: DCU looks to lure entrepreneurs; NUIG's stent research; School refit saves 48% of annual energy ............................................................................................................... 50 Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute - Don't have enough points? Come to DFEi ............. 52 Crumlin College - Paving the way for your Future ...................................................................... 54 BRIEFING: National Framework of Qualifications ........................................................................ 56 Blackrock Further Education Institute - launch your beauty career .............................................. 60 Training Services at Kilkenny and Carlow ETB............................................................................. 62 ETC Consult - Online career assessment..................................................................................... 64 Record graduate success for Dunboyne College ......................................................................... 66 BRIEFING: The education system in numbers .............................................................................. 68 LISTINGS:

Careers Information ................. 70 Government Services ............... 71 Education & Training Boards.....73

Government Departments ............ 71 Education Institutes in Ireland ...... 72 Education Centres ........................ 73

REFERENCE: Calendars for 2021 and 2022 ............................................................................... 74 Education 3

NEWS ................................................................................................................................

Third Level representatives set out plans for reopening the sector THE higher education institutions represented by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, have announced their plans for a safe return to campuses this September with maximum on-site presence.

The coordinated approach, which has the support of government and endorsement of public health authorities, is centred on what they say is "the overwhelming desire of students to get back on campus" and is facilitated by the classification of higher education as an essential service and the fact that the vast majority of adults, including students, will have been vaccinated by September.

Mitigation measures The joint approach from the HEIs builds on the Safe Return Plan published by DFHERIS in June and outlines the range of mitigation measures that will be imple-

4 Education

mented across the sector to provide for safe reopening. It provides a sector-wide commitment on reopening while recognising that each individual HEI will adapt mitigation measures to their own local context in consultation with staff and students.

Personal and institutional responsibility Chair of IUA and President of NUI Galway Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said:“We are looking forward to welcoming our students back to our campuses. We are determined to put in place all the measures advised by public health to make the return to campus safe and sustainable for our students, our staff and for society.

"A key element of this determination is personal as well as institutional responsibility and we urge all our students to take up the offer of a vaccination in good time for September.”

Echoing this sentiment Prof Vincent Cunnane, Chair of THEA said: “On behalf

of the THEA institutions, we are delighted to be bringing back significantly greater numbers of students for the coming Academic Year. Building on the ‘Safe Return Plan’ provides confidence to students and staff. I would urge all students to avail of the opportunity to get vaccinated to add to that level of confidence and to allow for a full student experience for the upcoming term.”

Three primary pillars The re-opening of higher education in September 2021 is underpinned by three primary pillars: • Higher education has been nominated as an ‘essential service’ by government.

• There is an overwhelming desire from students for a return to on-campus learning and research activity.

• The vast majority, if not all adults, including college students will have been offered the opportunity to be vaccinated by September.

................................................................................................................................ NEWS

Young people endure widespread sexual harassment - report

UP to 80 per cent of adolescents experience sexual harassment in a 12 month period, with a quarter reporting sexual violence.

These are among shocking findings contained in a report: Storm and Stress: An Exploration of Sexual Harassment Amongst Adolescents commissioned by Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI).

The study focused on the previous 12-month period of the young peoples’ lives. The research comprised of data from 599 adolescents who completed a questionnaire, interviews with 93 adolescents, and interviews with 21 youth workers.

occurred within their peer community • 100% All of the youth workers who participated in the study stated that they had witnessed sexual harassment with levels varying from verbal to extreme forms of sexual harassment • 57% of youth workers experienced sexual harassment from adolescents while at work • 68% of LGBT+ participants experienced serious sexual harassment compared with 20% of the whole population • 47% did not know how to report sexual harassment within their school

Some of the headline findings are: • 80% disclosed being subjected to some form of sexual harassment • 24% disclosed that they were subjected to physical or extreme forms of sexual harassment • 83% witnessed some form of sexual harassment • 28% witnessed physical or extreme forms of sexual harassment • 78% participants said harassment

Clíona Saidléar, executive director of the RCNI said in the Irish Times that the report closed a data gap and showed "the sheer scale of the prevalence and the severity of the experiences of adolescents with sexual violence.

"Those same adolescents have told us they want and believe change is possible.

We need to help them create that safer world for the generations coming behind them".

ASTI call for research on Junior Cert Irish IN a submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Irish language, the Gaeltacht and Irish-speaking communities, ASTI has called for research into implementation of the 'T1 agus T2' programme before it's extended to the senior cycle.

The union says that in feedback to an ASTI survey and seminar: "a strong message came from Gaeilge teachers was that, in the absence of research on the implementation of the T1 agus T2 at junior cycle, they are not supportive of introducing this model at senior cycle.

This perhaps the strongest message ASTI received."

The submission says that a key strand of this research should focus on the range and coherence of the learning outcomes; differentiation in the classroom; and how to develop students’ communicative skills. As regards the latter, teachers still state that there is too much focus on the literature in the specification.

Education 5

NEWS ................................................................................................................................

10,000 free courses for unemployed, self-employed or returners to work THE Government has launched 10,158 places on 294 courses under Springboard+ 2021. In addition 1,101 places on 1 and 2 year ICT graduate conversion courses are also on offer under the initiative.

Springboard+ courses are at Level 6 (Certificate) to Level 9 (Masters) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are delivered by public and private higher education providers around the country.

Now in its tenth year, over 75,000 people have benefitted from the programme to date. The Springboard+ programme is managed by the Higher Education Authority, on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Funding is allocated to Springboard+ from the National Training Fund (NTF) on an annual basis, with over €290m of funding provided since it commenced in 2011.

In addition, 1,869 courses will be funded for graduates under The Human Capital

6 Education

Initiative (HCI). The initiative provides additional capacity across the Higher Education Sector to meet priority skill needs for enterprise. Graduate Conversion Programmes under the HCI offer incentivised places for graduates to reskill in areas of skills shortage and emerging technologies. These are being run alongside, and complementary to, the Springboard+ offerings.

Springboard+ provides higher education courses in areas of identified skills needs.

Courses are free for the unemployed, previously self-employed and returners to the workforce. Courses are also free for employed people on NFQ Level 6 courses.

For employed participants on courses NFQ level 7 – 9, 90% of the course fee is funded by the state, with participants required to contribute just 10% of the fee.

Alan Wall, CEO of the HEA said: “As Springboard+ reaches its 10th year, we celebrate our 75,000 learners who have upskilled or reskilled to improve their career

The HEA's Dr. Vivienne Patterson with Niall Collins and Simon Harris at the launch

opportunities or who have simply taken their first steps towards re-entering the workforce after some time away.”

Candidates who wish to participate in Springboard+ 2021 or HCI Pillar 1 courses will find full details on the approved courses on the dedicated information and applications website www.springboardcourses.ie A helpline for applicants will is available on 1800 303523.

................................................................................................................................ NEWS

Too many young people going to university says educational philanthropist UNESCO urges countries to prioritize teachers in Covid vaccine rollout UNESCO and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 are collecting information on teacher prioritization within national COVID-19 vaccine deployment.

While the protection of teachers is essential for schools to reopen safely, just 21 out of 197 countries prioritize teachers in the first phase of vaccination efforts. Another 37 countries include teachers as a priority group for the 2nd phase.

Meanwhile 57 countries do not prioritize teachers at all whom are expected to be vac-

cinated within the general p o p u l a ti o n a fte r “pri ori ty groups”.

Some developing countries have, under the auspices of the COVAX programme, vaccinated teacher and other school staff with relative speed even when not prioritized as frontline workers. For example, in Somalia, almost half of all 17,000 primary and secondary teachers (8492 teachers) were given a first dose of vaccine by April 2021 while in Kenya, about 1 in 3 teachers had also received a first dose by early June 2021.

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PETER Lampl, a British educational philanthropist and charity founder, has questioned the value of third level education to many young people. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he said the he believes that many students in Britain leave college burdened by debt.

“Too many graduates come out with a lot of debt, the levels of debt are astronomical, and in many cases they come out with skills that the marketplace doesn’t want,” he said.

“The students aren’t going to be able to pay back the debt so that is a big problem."

Mr Lampl said that a num-

ber of students would be better served by doing a degree apprenticeship where “you earn while you learn, you come out with no debt and you come out with skills the marketplace wants”.

The entrepreneur established the Sutton Trust in 1997 to improve social mobility in the UK.

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Education 7

8 Education

Richie Sadlier launches SHARE Ireland’s first online sexual health educational course for teenagers RICHIE Sadlier may be known for his uncompromising approach both on and off the field, but when it comes to educating students on how to navigate the challenges of young adulthood, compromise, compassion and consent are the key words.

The Sexual Health and Relationships Education SHARE programme was created by Richie with long term collaborator, Doctoral Researcher from NUIG, Elaine Byrnes, that aims to provide objective, fact-based, i n c l u s i v e , a n d c o m p re h e n s i v e sexuality education to young people.

SHARE was launched online recently by Minister Simon Harris and is aimed at senior cycle secondary school and first-year third level students.

Delivered online, the programme addresses a range of topics from Consent to Pornography and is available for parents and teachers including additional guides and support with learning materials such as the School Facilitator Guide.

Accessible Speaking at the launch of SHARE, Minister Harris said: “The importance of being open with our young people in relation to sexual health and relationships cannot be overstated. I am hugely impressed with how accessible the SHARE platform is - not only for young people but also for their parents and teachers as well.”

Brendan Kavanagh, CEO of Olive Group added “SHARE is easy to

"The programme addresses a range of topics from Consent to Pornography and is available for parents and teachers including additional guides and support"

access, extremely engaging and will help to guide the learners on a fantastic journey of discovery through their lives.”

Richie and Elaine’s programme certainly tackles these important issues in a very down to earth way, providing learners with real life situations and challenging them how to respond appropriately.

Richie added: “we’re able to stand here to launch something that we genuinely believe will make a positive impact to the development of any young person that accesses it.”

The SHARE programme is available on https://olivegroup.io/share/ Email for more information at share@olivegroup.io Phone: 01 411 1011

Education 9

Data protection presents ongoing challenges for Irish institutions Steven Roberts is head of marketing at Griffith College.

He is a certified data protection officer and vice-chair of the ACOI’s data protection and information security working group.

T H E G e n e r a l D a t a P ro t e c t i o n Regulation (GDPR) recently marked its third anniversary. Since its introduction on 25th May 2018, data protection has been high on the agenda for education institutions across Ireland. A number of factors have contributed to this scenario.

Media interest in the potential for very significant fines, up to 4% of turnover or €20 million, has undoubtedly played a part. High profile data breaches at firms such as Marriott and British Airways have also ensured that the general public is more conscious of how organisations obtain and process their personal data.

Amongst EU member states, Ireland recorded the third highest n u m b e r o f d a t a b re a c h e s p e r 100,000 population during the period from 25th May 2018 to 27th J a n u a r y 2 0 2 1 . I re l a n d ’s D a t a Protection Commission (DPC), meanwhile, issued its first fines under GDPR last year, including penalties for Twitter, UCD, Tusla and the HSE. Against this backdrop, it is timely to consider some of the current and upcoming data protection challenges facing Irish institutions.

Lack of clarity regarding fines A key challenge is the continued lack of clarity regarding the levying of fines. At present, there does not appear to be a consistent approach across EU member states. This makes it difficult for education institutions, their boards and executive teams to 10 Education

accurately assess the potential impact of a data breach, from the perspective of enterprise risk management.

The DPC’s largest fine thus far was a €450,000 penalty imposed on Twitter in December 2020. In comparison, the Data Protection Authority of Hamburg fined clothing retailer H&M €35m, for GDPR violations involving the monitoring of employees. The French and Swedish supervisory authorities issued Google with GDPR fines of €50m and €7m respectively.

It is to be hoped that more consistency emerges in the coming two to three years. Institutions should regularly review their risk registers in light of ongoing developments in this area, keeping a particular eye on the profile of fines issued by the DPC. Delays introducing a new ePrivacy Regulation Data protection and privacy are separate rights under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Whilst GDPR focuses on protecting the personal data rights of EU citizens, the privacy and confidentiality of electronic communications is covered by another piece of legislation – the ePrivacy Directive.

The EU originally planned to introduce a new ePrivacy Regulation (ePR) alongside the GDPR in May 2018. However, the former has become mired in lobbying and disagreement amongst EU member states. This creates issues for institutions and the broader business

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"Institutions should regularly review their risk registers in light of ongoing developments in this area, keeping a particular eye on the profile of fines issued by the DPC"

community.

Firstly, the current Directive dates back to 2002. It is widely viewed as being no longer fit for purpose given the rapid developments in online communications and technologies over the past two decades.

Secondly, it has led to confusion as to how it and the GDPR can be consistently applied. This is most clearly seen with regard to website cookies, an area covered by the ePrivacy Directive. Lawyers and compliance experts have struggled to identify how best to ensure that cookie consent meets GDPR standards – i.e. that consent is freely given, unambiguous, specific and informed.

To provide clarity, supervisory authorities across the EU have issued their own guidance. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission published guidelines on cookies and other tracking technologies in April 2020 2, providing a six-month grace period in which to achieve compliance.

Whilst this has proven helpful for Irish businesses, those with a footprint in more than one EU country must ensure they comply with local best practice in each jurisdiction. It is a far remove from the harmonized approach promised in May 2018.

Fines for breaching ePrivacy laws can be very substantial. France’s supervisory authority fined Google

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€100m and Amazon €35m in December 2020 for breaches relating to their use of cookies.

New technologies Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data and the internet of things will play a large part in the future of work. Their ability to replace or enhance existing roles, either through full or partial automation, poses both opportunities and challenges for the Irish and global economies. Universities and colleges are at the forefront of this process, both in the research undertaken and in developing programmes that provide relevant skills to meet the current and future needs of industry.

From a data protection perspective, these new technologies use personal data in ever more complex and sophisticated ways. In order to do so in a GDPR compliant manner, organisations providing and utilizing such services must identify in a clear, transparent and straightforward manner how individuals’ data will be processed.

Mechanisms such as data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) and the GDPR’s requirement for data protection by design and default will be crucial in meeting this threshold.

Institutions undertaking regular GDPR training for new and existing staff should seek to incorporate both of these processes into their schedule.

"From a data protection perspective, these new technologies use personal data in ever more complex and sophisticated ways"

"While considerable progress has been made, many uncertainties still remain for institutions and businesses across Europe"

International data transfers Last year saw a number of significant developments with regard to international transfers of personal data outside the EU. The EU-US Privacy Shield, a key mechanism for transferring personal data between both jurisdictions, was ruled invalid by the European Court of Justice in July 2020.

Many firms sought the alternative option of Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs). These are EU approved clauses that when included in a contract can demonstrate GDPR compliance.

In November 2020, the EU proposed a new set of draft SCCs for public consultation. A final version was published in early June this year and entered into force on the 27th of that month.

The new SCCs include a number of different modular options, depending on the type of transfer taking place. Compliance and legal professionals are currently ascertaining what best practice implementation will look like; however, it is clear that a considerable amount of repapering of contracts will be needed in the coming year.

Institutions should commence this process at an early stage, given the level of work this may entail.

Last November also saw the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) propose a range of supplementary organizational, contractual

1) www.dlapiper.com/en/russia/insights/publications/2021/01/dla-piper-gdpr-fines-and-data-breach-survey-2021 2) www.dataprotection.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/2020-04/Guidance%20note%20on%20cookies%20and%20other%20tracking%20technologies.pdf 3) The old SCCs can continue to be used in new contracts for three months, until 27/09/21. Existing contracts using the old SCCs must be updated on or before the transition period ends on 27/12/22.

4) www.dataprotection.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/2021-04/DPC_Regulatory%20Strategy_APRIL%202021_PUBLIC%20CONSULTATION.pdf

and technological measures a business could take if it ascertained that a country receiving transfers of personal data did not meet GDPR standards.

Industry groups have questioned how these supplementary measures will operate in practice. They have expressed concerns that the measures could be particularly burdensome for small and medium sized organisations seeking to trade internationally.

Conclusion Data protection will continue to be a priority agenda item for colleges and universities in 2021 and the years ahead. While considerable progress has been made, many uncertainties still remain for institutions and businesses across Europe.

The Data Protection Commission has recognized this. In its draft Regulatory Strategy , the DPC notes that ambiguities still exist in how GDPR is interpreted across EU member states.

In this article, we have considered some examples, including the use of website cookies, a lack of clarity with regard to fines, the impact of new technologies, and ongoing developments in the area of international data transfers.

It is to be hoped that as the GDPR becomes more established it will lead to greater certainty for organisations.

For the moment, the goal of a harmonized, EU-wide data protection environment remains an ambition yet to be fully realized.

Education 11

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in AQUABUSINESS This course is designed to cater for those looking to enter management, financial, Research and Development or regulatory roles in fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing and related fields. This innovative course may also appeal to those looking to start an aquabusiness company or expand an existing company into new markets.

COURSE CONTENT Developed in partnership with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM – Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency), this programme offers modules in: — — — — — —

Aquabusiness Environment (Economics)* Law and Regulation for Aquabusiness* Strategic and Innovation Management* Financial Management and Planning* Marketing Management in Aquabusiness* Work Placement or Work Based Project

*Available as individual module certificates at Level 8

COURSE FEES 2021-2022 The full course fee is €2,500, however, fees could be reduced if paid in full by 31 August 2021 and/or if candidates are successful in securing EMFF grant aid. Individual certificates are €450.

Applications are invited on the BIM grants portal www.bim.flexigrant.com for European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) assistance towards the cost of this programme. Grant aid of 50% of course fees and learner support costs are available for individuals in the sector.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS — NFQ Level 7 or level 8 Award or equivalent in a related discipline.

— Candidates who do not have a Level 7 or higher award but have other relevant industry experience may be eligible for the programme through RPL. Candidates may be required to attend an interview.

COURSE DELIVERY For this academic year we will be delivering the course through blended learning. The course is timetabled to take place every fortnight on Fridays and on Saturdays over the academic year. The course timetable will be published in August 2021.

Course Start: During September 2021

Open to candidates from the SEAFOOD INDUSTRY including fisheries, aquaculture & seafood processing Supported by: • Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation (ISEFPO) • Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WFPO) • Women in Fisheries Network (WIFN)

For information on course content and applications please contact: Brian O’Loan

BIM Email: aquabus@bim.ie Mobile: 087 2626578

Dr Janette Davies

Deputy Head Wexford Campus IT Carlow Summerhill Road, Wexford Email: janette.davies@itcarlow.ie Phone: 053 9185808

“I think it is a very positive development for Ireland to have a course such as this and would encourage those working in fisheries, aquaculture or seafood processing to engage with it” Sigurdur Bogason – University of Iceland

Closing date for applications: Friday 3 September 2021 Ireland’s EU Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014 - 2020 Co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union

EUROPEAN UNION This measure is part-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

14 Education

Education 15

Unique - Army Engineer THE Army Engineer Graduate Programme is an elite leadership programme for engineers. It will transform your potential to: Lead Our Team; Make An Impact; Be The Difference. Óglaigh na hÉireann is an organisation like no other in the state and we need the most talented people so that we may best serve the nation in an ever-evolving world.

We offer a unique opportunity to motivated, curious, and hardworking engineers who have a will to succeed. We’re not after superheroes, but if you have a sense of adventure, the confidence to collaborate, and an instinct to give more than you take you’ll fit right in.

You’ll start your journey in The Cadet School, the best leadership school in the country.

It will be challenging but we know that with resolve and the support of your classmates, you will achieve your goals. If successful, you’ll be promoted, and we’ll continue to invest in you with further training, earning a Level 9 Masters before sending you to get practical leader16 Education

ship experience in your unit. The culmination of both of our efforts will see you leading engineer troops overseas, devising solutions in the most demanding circumstances; ultimately changing lives for the better.

That said, it’s not all work. You’ll have life changing experiences and make life-long friendships along the way, and you’ll always have the most interesting stories.

In return for your commitment and determination we will support you and develop your talents to bring out your best as a person and as an engineer. This programe is the beginning of a journey that will take you to the highest levels whereever you decide to go.

The Corps of Engineers The Corps of Engineers is responsible for ensuring that the Defence Forces can live, manoeuver and o p e r a t e w h e re v e r w e m a y b e deployed.

As a combat support corps, our troops are qualified soldiers, combat engineers, and technicians. In addi-

"You’ll have life changing experiences and make life-long friendships along the way, and you’ll always have the most interesting stories"

tion to all-arms capabilities we provide the essential specialist skills to: • Build bridges • Construct routes • Clear obstacles • Employ explosive demolitions • Conduct high risk Engineer Specialist Search and Clearance Both at home and overseas we construct fortifications and operational bases where we provide essential life support capabilities such power generation, potable water production and firefighting.

The Corps of Engineers is also responsible for the maintenance of the Defence Forces built infrastructure such as barracks, training areas, airfields, and naval installations. This includes: • Overseeing maintenance staff • Design tasks • Contract and tender preparation • Project management • Acting as the client’s representative during ongoing projects

Graduate Programme Lead our team No other job will offer you the leadership skills or experience provided in the Defence Forces.

Our engineer troops are trained soldiers and qualified technicians.

Leading them in harsh environments and pressurised situations overseas is the biggest challenge we can set you.

After 15 months of world-class leadership training in The Cadet School you’ll be well prepared to be responsible for 30 soldiers: harnessing their skills; developing their potential; inspiring them to overcome obstacles; and motivating them to accomplish the mission.

Make an impact In Ireland, Engineer Officers ensure our personnel have modern and safe facilities to live, work, and train in. In an era of climate change we protect the homes, livelihoods and lives of our fellow citizens during blizzards, wildfires, and floods.

When foreign leaders visit, our Search Teams sweep for IEDs and other threats. The life of a President

and the reputation of our nation could literally be in your hands.

Our experience of working in harsh environments and pressurised "Our situations, devising solutions with experience limited time and resources mean that of working in we have been among the first to harsh environments deploy in the event of a humanitarian crisis or natural disaster. We have and responded in the aftermath of earthpressurised quakes in Haiti, volcanos in the situations, Congo, the tsunami in Banda Ache, devising solutions with s u p e r t y p h o o n H a i y a i n i n t h e Philippines, refugees at the Turkishlimited time and resources Syrian border, and the Ebola Crisis in mean that we Sierra Leone.

Engineer Officers are key members have been among the first of Ireland’s negotiating teams on arms control treaties in the UN. In to deploy in the event of a particularly they were instrumental in Irelands effort’s to ban cluster humanitarian munitions which was agreed in crisis or Dublin Diplomatic Conference in natural 2008. disaster" Be the difference Engineers make a difference every day. In the Defence Forces however, the Engineer Officer often IS the difference.

Success or failure, or even life or death, will be determined by your solutions, your decisions, and your judgement.

You could be assessing log bridges on long range patrols (LRPs) in the African jungle. Too gung-ho and the bridge could collapse, plunging the armoured personnel carrier (APC) and its occupants into the river below; overly cautious, and the patrol has to return to base and the mission fails.

You could be clearing villages and fields of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) post conflict in the Middle East. Miss something and there may be civilian casualities; succeed and local people can return to their homes and resume their lives once more.

You could be providing potable water in the Saharan desert to support an Irish base.

Fail and we have to withdraw giving armed militias free reign; succeed and our troops can survive hundreds of kilometers from the nearest town thereby protecting remote villages from attack.

Continued >>> Education 17

Be part of an elite leadership What is the army engineer graduate programme?

The Army Engineer Graduate Programme is an elite leadership programme for engineers.

It will transform your potential to: Lead Our Team; Make An Impact; Be The Difference.

It is designed to last approximately five years (though you can leave at any time you choose) culminating with you leading engineer troops on an overseas deployment. Thereafter, you may continue serving in the Defence Forces or you can leave and capitalise on your superior leadership and technical skills in a civilian career.

The first phase of the programme is the Cadetship. Here you will undergo 15 months of world-class training in The Cadet School, the best leadership school in the country.

This is your formative military training and will qualify you to command a platoon of 30 soldiers.

On successful completion of the Cadetship you will be commissioned as an officer and will commence your 15 month ‘Young Officer’s Course’ in the School of Military Engineering (SME) where you will earn a Level 9 Masters. This will qualify you in a wide range of military combat engi18 Education

neering skills such as field fortifications, obstacles, explosive demolitions, bridging, mine warfare, firefighting, specialist search and clearance, boating, water purification, power provision and more. You w i l l a l s o u n d e rg o a 3 m o n t h Maintenance Engineering Course where you will study contract and tender preparation, project management, health & safety, range design, energy management, fire engineering and procurement.

Thereafter you will go to your assigned units for a year, further developing the skills you’ve learnt in

15 Months Cadetship

On successful completion of the Cadetship you will be commissioned as an officer and will commence your 15 month ‘Young Officer’s Course’ in the School of Military Engineering (SME) where you will earn a Level 9 Masters. This will qualify you in a wide range of military combat engineering skills such as field fortifications, obstacles, explosive demolitions, bridging, mine warfare, firefighting, specialist search and clearance, boating, water purification, power provision and more.

You will also undergo a 3 month Maintenance Engineering Course where you will study contract and tender preparation, project management, health & safety, range design, energy management, fire engineering and procurement.

1 Year Unit level experience

1 Year

It is designed to last approximately five years (though you can leave at any time you choose) culminating with you leading engineer troops on an overseas deployment. Thereafter, you may continue serving in the Defence Forces or you can leave and capitalise on your superior leadership and technical skills in a civilian career.

The first phase of the programme is the Cadetship. Here you will undergo 15 months of world-class training in The Cadet School, the best leadership school in the country. This is your formative military training and will qualify you to command a platoon of 30 soldiers.

2 Years

Level 9 Masters & Maintenance Engineers Course

Overseas Mission

the SME and getting practical experience of leading engineer troops.

Finally, all this training and experience will culminate in you deploying overseas in command of engineer "Here you will troops as part of an Irish unit serving under a UN mandate. This starts undergo 15 with a 3-4 month intensive period of months of pre-deployment preparation and world-class training in The training known as ‘form-up’, folCadet School, lowed by a six month deployment, and finishes with one months UN the best leave on your return. Overseas serleadership vice promises to be the highlight of school in the your time in the Defence Forces and country. the ultimate test for a young This is your Engineer Officer. formative WHAT IS THE ARMY ENGINEER GRADUATE PROGRAMME? military The Army Engineer Graduate Programme is an elite leadership programme for engineers.

What weAn Impact; offer training andyour potential to: Lead It will transform Our Team; Make Be The you Difference.

If you’ve read this far you are will qualify you to command a probably not the type of person who platoon of 30 is primarily motivated by money.

However it is important to know soldiers" you’ll be well compensated for your efforts. Service as an Engineer Officer offers a very competitive package with many benefits.1 Pay & Pension. During your 15 months initial training in The Cadet School you’ll earn approximately €19,000 p/a but this will quickly rise to approximately €50,000 p/a by your third year of service. You will Thereafter you will go to your assigned units for a year, further developing the skills you’ve learnt in the SME and getting practical experience of leading engineer troops.

Finally, all this training and experience will culminate in you deploying overseas in command of engineer troops as part of an Irish unit serving under a UN mandate. This starts with a 3-4 month intensive period of pre-deployment preparation and training known as ‘form-up’, followed by a six month deployment, and finishes with one months UN leave on your return. Overseas service promises to be the highlight of your time in the Defence Forces and the ultimate test for a young Engineer Officer.

programme for engineers also be a member of a public sector pension scheme.

Level 9 Masters. You’ll get paid while undergoing a cost-free Level 9 Masters.

Accommodation. You’re entitled to free meals and accommodation while in training during the Cadetship. Subsidised accommodation is available in barracks after commissioning.

Leave. 31 days Annual Leave with the ability to carry over up to 24 days.

Fitness Training. Free access to gyms, personal trainers, sports facilities, and adventure training.

Keeping fit is part of your job and part of your working day.

Medical. Medical & dental cover provided.

Professional Fees & Chartership.

Your professional membership subscription to Engineers Ireland will be paid. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities are ongoing to support you on your path to earning the professional title of Chartered Engineer.

This is in addition to: • Unrivaled leadership & management experience

"You will be commissioned as an officer and will commence your 15 month 'Young Officer’s Course' in the School of Military Engineering (SME) where you will earn a Level 9 Masters"

• Personal development • Travel • Working in diverse, crosscultural and multi-cultural environments • Working with international organisations and militaries • Access to a network of veterans across a mulitude of industries and sectors • Strong personal network • Life-long friendships How to apply1 The first step will be to complete the official electronic application form available at www.military.ie Stage 1 – Online Psychometric Testing. Thereafter you will be asked to complete an unsupervised psychometric test online.

Stage 2 – The Assessment Phase.

If you meet the required standard you will be invited to attend Stage 2 in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh, Co Kildare. This consists of: • Physical Fitness Test • Supervised online Psyhometric Test • A Group Assessment • Realistic Job Preview

Successful candidates at Stage 2 will be sent an Online Personality Questionaire to be completed before attending for interview: Stage 3 – The Interview.

This is a competency based interview where you will be assessed on the following areas: • Planning & Organising • Decision Making & Problem Solving • Working with Others • Communication • Leadership & Supervising • Personal Motivation & Discipline • Resilence • Information Handling • Technical Aptitude This is a highly competitive programme and places are limited. To increase your chances, you can also apply for an Ordnance or Army Cadetship. Applicants can apply for all cadetships simultaneously Full details of these competitions can be found on www.military.ie 1. All of these examples are illustrative only. Please see www.military. ie and ‘Terms and conditions and general information regarding officer cadetships in the defence forces 2020’ for full details.

Education 19

Reference Guide Briefing

The HEAR alternative THE Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university scheme that offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are resident in the Republic of Ireland.

HEAR has been set up by a number of colleges and universities, as evidence shows that socio-economic disadvantage can have a negative effect on how well a student does at school and whether they go on to college. HEAR applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support.

HEAR is for school leavers under the age of 23 as of 1 January 2022 who are resident in the Republic of Ireland. Mature and FET (Further Education and Training) students have their own admissions routes and should contact college admissions offices for more information.

Applications to HEAR can only be made online through the CAO. Reduced Points If you apply to HEAR and meet the application criteria (that is, are deemed eligible for HEAR) you may be offered a place even if you do not have enough Leaving Certificate

points for your preferred course.

Each participating college and university has a reserved number of places to offer eligible HEAR applicants at lower or reduced Leaving Certificate points.

An example of a reduced points offer is that the Leaving Certificate points for a particular course is 366 points. An eligible HEAR applicant could be offered a place with a lower points score, e.g. 356 points.

This applicant would also, like all other applicants applying to college, need to meet the minimum entry requirements and any specific programme requirements before being considered for a HEAR reduced points offer. The reduction in points for HEAR places can vary every year.

The number of points a particular course is reduced by is dependent on a number of factors, such as: • The overall number of places on the course.

• The number of reserved HEAR places on the course.

• The number of HEAR eligible applicants competing for these reserved places.

Information on the number of reduced points places available per course and the method used by colleges for selecting eligible HEAR students for those places is available on some HEI websites and on the

page of each of the participating colleges on the accesscollege.ie site.

College Supports If you get a place through HEAR, "Evidence you will receive a variety of acashows that demic, personal and social supports socio-economic while at college. disadvantage College supports may include: can have a • An Orientation Programme to negative effect introduce you to university/ on how well a college. student does at • Extra tuition if required, study school and skills and exam preparation. whether they • One-to-one meetings with go on to student advisers. college" • Social gatherings/mentoring.

• Extra financial assistance when available/advice regarding grants and scholarships.

Prioritisation of Applicants Eligible for both DARE & HEAR Research has shown that students with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds face the greatest obstacles when it comes to progression to higher education.

In order to increase the numbers of students facing this ‘double disadvantage’, colleges participating in DARE and HEAR have agreed to prioritise this group when allocating reduced points places.

Editorial source: accesscollege.ie

Participating colleges ■ Athlone Institute of Technology ■ Cork Institute of Technology ■ Dublin City University ■ Dundalk Institute of Technology ■ Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology ■ Galway Mayo Institute of Technology ■ Institute of Technology Carlow ■ Institute of Technology Sligo ■ Institute of Technology Tralee ■ Letterkenny Institute of Technology ■ Limerick Institute of Technology ■ Marino Institute of Education 20 Education

■ Mary Immaculate College ■ Maynooth University ■ National College of Ireland ■ National University of Ireland, Galway ■ Pontifical University Maynooth ■ Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ■ St Angela’s College, Sligo ■ Technological University Dublin ■ Trinity College Dublin ■ University College Cork ■ University College Dublin ■ University of Limerick

What HEAR is not HEAR is not your maintenance grant (SUSI grant). The maintenance grant is the main source of financial assistance available from the Irish State for students in full-time Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLCs) and full-time higher education undergraduate courses. HEAR is an admissions scheme to help students who may not traditionally go on to third level.

Financial Assistance and SUSI Students applying to HEAR are encouraged to find out more information on the maintenance grant.

Additional information on other sources of financial assistance for

Reference Guide Briefing

route to third level HEAR Applications 2010-2020 8000

HERE and DARE applications for 2022 are planned as normal but applicants should keep up to date at accesscollege.ie.

6000 4000 2000 0

HERE/DARE and Covid 19

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Source: DARE HEAR SUMMARY REPORT 2020

Eligible

Ineligible

Some changes were made to the DARE application process for 2021 and changes are likely for the 2022 year to take into account the Covid 19 pandemic.

Total applications assessed

adults have attained third level edubelong to a group that is underrepcation. resented in higher education based You must meet Indicator 1, the on the occupation and employment "If you get a HEAR Income Limit, plus a correct s t a t u s o f y o u r p a r e n t ( s ) o r place through Should I apply?

20, 3548 individual applicantsmust to HEAR an offerThe of aunderrepresented place in higher education (representing a combination of 2 other indicators to HEAR applicants meetreceived a guardian(s).

HEAR, you be eligible for HEAR. The combinagroups are the Non-Manual Workers range of financial, social and cultural % increase on the number of offers made in 2019), with 2933 accepting their offer. will receive a tions are: indicators (criteria) to be considered Group and the Semi and Unskilled variety of Indicator 1 + 2 + 4 or 5 or 6 for a reduced points place and extra Manual Workers Group. academic, Indicator DEISCAO School Attendance: college Here is atolistHEAR of all(like 5. mportant to note support. that applicants other applicants) canYou receive an offer at both Level 8 1 + 3 + 4 or 5 or 6 personal and Indicator 1 + 4 + 5 or 6 completed five years in a second social supports the HEAR indicators: evel 6/7. In 2020, the total number of these offers to HEAR eligible applicants was 5444. 1579 reducedIndicator 1 + 5 + 6 1. Income: Your family income falls level school that takes part in the while at s offers were made tothe HEAR eligible who had not met the normal points requirements for their 1, the HEAR Income Indicator Equality of Opportunity on or below HEAR Incomeapplicants Limit Delivering college" Limit, is calculated by how many in Schools (DEIS) scheme run by the for the year 2018 (see page 4 for rred course, while 3865 additional offers were made to those HEAR eligible applicants who achieved on children there are in your family and Department of Education and Skills. details of the HEAR Income Limit). ove the points required).

Applicants a6.reduced points either received an offer formany a people in your family are how Area Profile: You CAO live inoffer an area 2. Medical / GP Visit Card:receiving Your in full time education. where not there is concentrated disadfamily has ainMedical Cardchoices / GP Visit e which was higher their CAO or would otherwise have received any offer.

C a r d t h a t w a s i n d a t e o n 3 1 vantage – in other words an area where, for example, there is high December 2019. unemployment and poverty and 3. Means Tested Social Welfare: Prioritisation Your family received a means-tested where only a small proportion of payment from the Department of esearch has identified that two and particular Employment Affairs Social groups of students face the greatest obstacles when it comes to Protection for at least 26 weeks in ession to higher education: 2018. dents with disabilities who are also from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; 4. Socio-economic Group: You third level students is available at www.studentfinance.ie.

dents with physical disabilities and sensory (blind/vision impaired or deaf/hard of hearing) disabilities

der to increase the opportunities for these students in higher education, colleges participating in DARE EAR have agreed to prioritise these groups under the schemes. In 2020, the number of applicants eligible oth DARE and HEAR increased to 384 which represents a 28.4% increase from 2019.

Key DARE and HEAR Statistics 2020

8% increase in the number of offers to applicants who were eligible for DARE, compared to 2019 4% increase in the number of offers to applicants who were eligible for HEAR, compared to 2019 2% increase in the number of DARE eligible applicants accepting offers, compared to 2019 (3146 in 2020, mpared to 2578 in 2019)

Education 21

Do you want your more about the School visits (including virtual visits) STAFF visit schools to explain how the European Union works (in English agus as Gaeilge). School groups also visit us at the Representation - these visits can now be organised online.

The European Commission also has publications, posters and other materials, which may be of use to teachers and students in the classroom.

School Visit to Representation

The European Commission has publications, posters and other materials for students and teachers

Translation Workshop

22 Education

Translation Workshops/ Ceardlanna Aistriúcháin WE work with universities to organise translation workshops for senior cycle secondary school students (in English agus as Gaeilge).

Staff translators from the EU institutions explain what they do (and how they got their jobs). University lecturers set out the courses they have on offer for prospective translators.

During the final part of the programme, the translators work with the students in smaller groups to see how they would handle a particular text.

Other Events ASK us about celebrating the European Day of Languages (26 September) or Europe Day (9 May) in your school or visit our stands at the BT Young Scientists Exhibition (January) or at the Think Languages fair (December) for example.

The European Parliament also organises an Ambassador Schools Programme (EPAS) which aims to c re a t e a n e t w o r k o f s t u d e n t s (Transition Year) and schools engaging with the European Parliament and with MEPs. For further information about any of the above, please email comm-ie-info-request@ec.europa.eu, referring to the service or competition in the subject (i.e. ‘MODEL COUNCIL’).

students to know European Union?

The European Commission Representation in Ireland and Secondary Schools Competitions Model Council of the European Union THIS is an annual debate for secondary schools. It is a simulation of a meeting of the Council of the European Union and involves teams from secondary schools around Ireland, each of which represents an EU Member State.

Buaiteoirí an Chomórtais Aistritheoirí Óga 2021

The event allows schools to learn about the EU's decision-making process. The 2020 event took place in February in Dublin Castle.

The topic was the European Green Deal, specifically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Aistritheoirí Óga – comórtas uile-oileáin IS é an Coimisiún Eorpach i gcomhar le Rialtas na hÉireann a eagraíonn an comórtas seo.

Is comórtas é le haghaidh daltaí meánscoile in Éirinn, thuaidh agus theas, a bhfuil 15 bliana slánaithe acu ar an 1 Méan Fómhair den scoilbhliain sin agus a bhfuil sé ar a gcumas aistriúchán a dhéanamh ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge, nó ó roinnt eile de theangacha oifigiúla an Aontais Eorpaigh go Gaeilge.

Seoltar an comórtas i mí na Samhna/mí na Nollag gach bliain agus is san earrach a bhíonn Lá an Chomórtais.

Juvenes Translatores – the multilingual translation competition for secondary schools THIS annual translation competition is open to students across the European Union who are 17 years of age and who have the ability to translate between any two of the EU's 24 official languages.

The competition is launched in September each year.

All entries are then entered into a random draw and 705 schools are invited to proceed to the next stage. The final number of participating schools per country is equal to the number of MEPs representing that coun- Alba DohertyMadrigal, try - i.e. 13 for Ireland.

The winners, one per JT Winner 2020 country, are announced in early February and prizes are presented at a special ceremony in Brussels during the Spring.

Buaiteoirí an Chomórtais Aistritheoirí Óga 2020

Education 23

The ENERGE Project A co-designed approach to energy saving in schools THE creation of a comfortable and energy-responsible learning environment in schools is a complex but rewarding task, which has multiple interlinked dimensions.

The ENERGE (Energising Education to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions) project aims to address this through low cost technical, educational and behavioural interventions. ENERGE will be demonstrated in 13 project schools across six project countries in NorthWestern Europe.

Energy under control The project aims to improve energy performance of schools, backed by a comprehensive and user-friendly energy monitoring system and building audit method-

By Dr. Dmitry Brychkov, Dr. Edelle Doherty, Ms Raquel de Castro Rodrigues Lima and Dr. Eoghan Clifford

"A co-design strategy to provide a more energy efficient school environment by engaging students, teachers and others"

Key facts about ENERGE ■ Funding Organisation: Interreg NWE ■ Project Duration: 2019-2023 ■ Budget: €4.27 million ■ Partners/Sub-Partners: 12, including academic institutions, business entities and governmental authorities ■ Project Countries: France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Northern Ireland ■ Project Schools: 13 post-primary schools (roughly 2 schools per each country) ■ Coláiste Éinde (Galway) & Seamount College (Kinvara) are among the project schools.

24 Education

ologies.The outcome will be a comfortable indoor environment in schools, measured by digital sensors to check temperature, humidity, noise, light and CO2.

The project will develop a high level of energy literacy of all involved with the school, especially students, which is embedded in the school curriculum and will include a codesign strategy to provide a more energy efficient school environment by engaging students, teachers and other school personnel.

To obtain these energy and education outcome will require the application of modern methodologies such as big data, digital ethnography, networking and stakeholder analysis, as well as reliance on key performance indicators and baselining practices.

ENERGE - Early Results • Installation of energy monitoring in the project has been achieved to monitor energy use, both real-time and historically.

• A set of indoor climate sensors has been installed in each project school to monitor internal environments.

• Co-design sessions with students, teachers and other stakeholders are ongoing to develop a user-friendly interface of the ENERGE Platform.

• Extensive surveys have been undertaken to collect data on students’ attitudes and behaviours

towards energy use and the wider environment. Surveys are ongoing into student understanding and experience of indoor climate issues in schools. In addition to energy use and indoor climate data, the results of the surveys are incorporated into the ENERGE Platform to serve as a basis for strategic decisions.

• ENERGE Committees have been established in each project school to act as a permanent unit for ENERGE Platform manifestation and testing to help the research team design and test project activities in each school.

• Energy literacy modules have been developed and piloted in each project school via a special Teachers Network, which links multi-disciplinary teams of teachers who are interested in raising the level of energy literacy among students.

• A detailed analysis of school governance systems across the Partner countries has been undertaken, and business scenarios for development of energy-related projects such as the ENERGE platform in schools have been analysed.

ENERGE Project Plans The ENERGE project objectives are truly multifaceted. The project is expected to achieve tangible reduction in energy use in the project schools; significant improvement of energy literacy among students via a set of curriculum-embedded energy literacy modules; and active involvement of both teachers and

students from different countries to create a more environmentally friendly and comfortable indoor environment.

A very important segment of the project is to co-design these activities together by constantly engaging all stakeholders (including students) in this process.

A key outcome of the project will be a co-created ENERGE Platform – an interactive, data-rich, educational, experimental and innovative tool for monitoring energy performance and comfort levels, for sharing different ideas, for running digital ethnographic sessions and for educating various stakeholders.

ENERGE will use the project schools as a testing ground in order to demonstrate the vast potential of a systemic approach to energy use and comfort.

However, the project aim is more ambitious – it aims to transcend this experience to other schools by sharing the obtained expertise, skills and outcomes.

"An interactive, data-rich, educational, experimental and innovative tool for monitoring energy performance and comfort levels and for sharing different ideas"

The ENERGE project is funded by the InterReg North-West Europe Programme, which is financed through the European Regional Development Fund (Grant Number NWE-827)

More info...

If you want to learn more about the ENERGE project, please visit the website www.nweurope.eu/energe or contact Dr Eoghan Clifford (eoghan.clifford@nuigalway.ie) and Dr Edelle Doherty (edelle.doherty@nuigalway.ie).

A special ENERGE newsletter with lots of information on energy saving practices in schools is available upon request.

In one ENERGE activity, organised by a Project Partner, Delft University of Technology, the participants (students and teachers) work together in groups to discuss and visualise the seating plan, indoor climate and energy perception in their classroom environment. They could also plan agreed changes to improve their learning and teaching space.

Education 25

Montessori Education for Dementia

FREE CPD DAY Join us for a FREE CPD Professional Development Webinar to learn about a revolutionary approach to ageing and dementia care.

Important Dates

24 August 2021, 17:00 www.smsi.eventbrite.com

FREE CPD Workshop

28 Aug, 17:00

MED Programme

8 Oct 2021

TBD April 2022 MED Workshop

8 - 9 Oct 2021

TBD April 2022 Application Deadline

1 July 2021

Late Applications

1 Aug 2021

www.smsi.ie/dementia

26 Education

Certificate Programme Join us for the blended-learning QQI accredited 30 ECTS (6 months) Certificate and AMI Practitioner Certification, designed to enhance your practice & understanding of Montessori Education in dementia care.

Intakes in Oct. & Apr.

€1790 pp

Workshop Unsure if the programme is for you? Take our two day workshop designed to give you an overview on the benefits of Montessori Education for Dementia. Intakes in Oct & Apr.

For more information, please visit SMSI at

www.smsi.ie

€295 pp

MONTESSORI FOR AGEING & DEMENTIA

Create an environment of joy & purpose, where older adults can flourish.

Montessori and Dementia FOR the past 50 years, St Nicholas Montessori Society has been training and equipping Montessori professionals in Ireland with the hopes of bringing professionalisation to the early years sector and transforming education in the Primary education sector and beyond.

Now, SMSI is expanding the scope of Montessori to encompass all ages, through the new groundbreaking QQI accredited Level 6 Special Purpose Award in Montessori Education for Dementia.

In an interview with Programme Director and Montessori Dementia expert, Jennifer Brush, we learned more about this transformative programme.

Why Montessori?

Montessori is based on the principles of free choice and purposeful activity. In a Montessori community for elders, individuals with a wide range of abilities work both individually and collaboratively on an array of activities from which they are free to choose, explore, and discover (Brush, Douglas, and Bourgeois).

Montessori for adults with dementia, how?

Montessori Education for Dementia respects the older person and enables them to continue to make contributions to the community in whatever way possible, encourages caregivers to make observations in order to learn about the person, encourages independence in a specially prepared environment, provides meaningful engagement for older adults, and reminds us that learning and engagement can occur at any age. This is a life changing approach to dementia care.

The Montessori philosophy encourages and incorporates the prepared environment, freedom of movement, hands-on activities, intrinsic motivation, concentration, independence, and mixed abilities.

This philosophy allows for a sense of individuality and joy within the individual. Older adults and children alike can utilise these attributes and flourish in their lives.

It is at this intersection that SMSI is offering its unique expertise in the creation and delivery of one of the world’s only Montessori Education for Dementia programme.

About the programme SMSI is offering the standalone introductory ONLINE workshop and/or a 6 month ONLINE programme.

This programme provides a powerful approach to care that will change perspectives on dementia care. Students will learn how to create a dementia friendly physical and social environment that supports people with cognitive impairment to participate in meaningful activities that match their cognitive skills, interests and abilities.

Students will also develop an understanding about memory loss, learning, and attention in order to best communicate with individuals living with dementia. The programme will provide the tools care providers need to cope with the challenges of dementia care in order to create an environment where everyone wants to live and work.

"The programme will provide the tools care providers need to cope with the challenges of dementia care in order to create an environment where everyone wants to live and work"

For more information, please visit SMSI at: www.smsi.ie/dementia/ Applications can be made before 1 August 2021 for the upcoming programme beginning in October 2021: www.smsi.ie/all-courses/apply/

Education 27

Narrative 4 Empathy Education "EMPATHY education is needed in our secondary schools to help our young people develop into caring, happy successful adults," says Dr Sara Jane Flynn, a senior child and educational psychologist who has recently joined the team at Narrative 4 Ireland.

The registered Irish charity replicated a US model of empathy education in 2016 and have been rolling it out in Ireland since. The registered Irish charity trains and supports post-primary school teachers and youth workers to deliver the programme to young people.

Vital life skills "We train educators to deliver the Story Exchange programme, which is a circle based activity that can be delivered in any classroom.

It takes 10 CPD hours online to train and then they have access to a facilitator toolkit, lesson plans and recognised by NCCA junior cycle unit. We also run regular support

and mentoring sessions for practitioners".

Empathy education cultivates vital life skills in young people. It increases awareness of diversity, improves social skills and gives young people a sense of belonging. The young people who take part in the Story Exchange learn to connect with their peers in a unique manner.

A student who took part in the programme from the Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh echoed these sentiments when she said: "I learned that everyone is vulnerable at times and everyone is going through something similar. After going through the N4 Programme, I am definitely more open to telling people how I feel. I realised that people are there to get you through hard times and are here to listen to you."

The Story Exchange is an evidence-based wellbeing tool that can be utilised in the classroom to cultivate kindness and peer support. A Yale Study in 2016 found that stu-

"I learned that everyone is vulnerable at times and everyone is going through something similar"

"It can form part of a JCSE program, RSE at the upper levels, supporting integration and connection of first years, supporting disenfranchised groups within the school community and many more"

"Stories can shape our future with research showing that telling stories of struggles that turn out well can give people the hope they need" A central part of the Story Exchange is developing listening skills

28 Education

dents in US schools that ran the N4 programme felt more accepted, cheerful and confident than schools not running the programmes. 1 There was also a noted decrease in bullying in the N4 Schools.

Caoimhe Lillis trained as Story Exchange facilitator in 2018, while working as a secondary school teacher.

"The Story Exchange programme hits 7 of the key skills and 5 of the wellbeing indicators in the new Junior Cycle. 2&3 Students really connected over exchanging stories and we all saw each other in a new light."

Increasing skill competence of teachers Our contemporary post primary curriculum is no longer solely an academic one, teachers are now expected to have the social and emotional welfare of their students as much in mind as academic targets and exam preparation.

The Narrative 4 training programme which includes a module on skilful interventions supports the development of key facilitation skills which make up the teachers toolbox and increases teachers' competence in supporting ever increasingly important areas such as attachment friendly practices and supporting young people with ACES (adverse childhood experiences).

The need to facilitate conversations which require more than the traditional didactic method is growing and with the new Relationships and Sexual education module on the horizon which will be informed by a more holistic approach to the topic, teachers will benefit from the skills gained in facilitating conversations rather than leading them.

A Story Exchange underway in Thomond College Limerick

How to use the technique in your school Once trained, the Narrative 4 Facilitator can explore different ways to use the Story Exchange to address whatever needs are arising in their school community.

The Regional Director of Narrative 4 Ireland Dr James Lawlor says: "The Story Exchange can support wellbeing, target exclusion, address bullying issues. It can form part of a JCSE program, RSE at the upper levels, supporting integration and connection of first years, supporting disenfranchised groups within the school community and many more."

However it is not only the students who can benefit from the process, staff well-being and staff cohesion can be developed through a two hour story exchange. Teachers have used the Story Exchange to connect their students with other young people in other countries using online virtual platforms like Zoom.

Paula Coakley from Kenmare Community School has used the virtual Story Exchange to connect up with students in Kentucky in the USA. "Narrative 4 has enabled my students to broaden their horizons and learn about other cultures and about other communities living in their locale. I've used the Story Exchange as well to connect my students with older people" Sad and stressed Experts agree that Empathy Education is a crucial skill for young people. Dr Michele Borba has said

that: "while we may be producing a smart, self-assured generation of young people, today's kids are also the most self-centred, saddest, and stressed on record".

Her solution to this pandemic of poor mental health is developing young people"s empathy skills. The challenges posed by Covid-19 can be alleviated through the power of social connection. The Story Exchange programme achieves the NEPS guidelines for students reconnecting after covid 19 closure.

"Stories can shape our future with research showing that telling stories of struggles that turn out well can give people the hope they need to live productive lives in the aftermath of major life challenges."4

The Story Exchange draws on the principles of circle-work and has many similarities with other complementary techniques such as restorative justice

More information on Narrative 4 and the Story Exchange Facilitator training can be found on Narrative4.ie Online trainings run weekly with various dates available. Training cost is subsidised by Rethink Ireland. The training costs €150 with a further 20% off (€120) for Education Reference Guide readers: Quote EDUGUIDE in application.

1) EMOTIONAL REVOLUTION: Empowering Young People to create schools and communities where emotions matter; How do US High School students feel at School? –The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, August 2016 2) NCCA, (2012) ‘Key Skills of Junior Cycle’, Dublin: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

3) NCCA, (2017) ‘Junior Cycle Wellbeing Guidelines’, Dublin: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

4) NEPS, (2020) ‘Supporting the Wellbeing of the School Community: Returning to School after Covid-19 School Closure’, Dublin: National Educational Psychological Services.

There are variations of the programme, all of them designed to foster human connection. Here, two students take part in a Art Story Exchange where they create a collage of their story

Education 29

30 Education

Drama Education at Griffith College I HAVE always had a love of drama and so in 2017, I decided to complete the Higher Diploma in Arts in Drama Education at Griffith College.

Some of my fondest memories from school involved performing in plays and musicals and I firmly believe that drama gives children the opportunity to express themselves creatively while developing their confidence and self-esteem.

Since becoming a teacher I have always enjoyed teaching drama and the course presented itself as a great opportunity to develop my skills.

Two year option I opted to do the course over two years instead of one as I was only back at school after maternity leave and I was completing the second half of my diploma at the time.

By Laura Pomphrett Higher Diploma in Arts in Drama Education Graduate The Leinster School of Music and Drama (LSMD) were very supportive in allowing me the flexibility to do the course at the pace that suited me, although there was another primary teacher in my cohort who completed the course in one year.

I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the course content; especially getting the opportunity to perform again, and the end of year Showcase was a huge highlight for me.

I learned so much more about the process of drama and how to implement the whole curriculum through drama in a fun, safe and integrative way. My own class at school benefit-

"I have also been using all my techniques in school to help the children develop their creativity and learn through the fun of drama"

ted hugely from everything I was learning and loved being my guinea pigs.

Since graduating from the course I have been teaching drama outside school, preparing children for exams and FEIS competitions and running drama club for fun.

Creativity and fun I have also been using all my techniques in school to help the children develop their creativity and learn through the fun of drama. It was an excellent addition to my qualifications and the fees were eligible for a tax rebate as well as the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme.

I highly recommend the Higher Diploma in Arts in Drama Education through the LSMD at Griffith College to all teachers.

Education 31

Do you have your vaccine records?

Did you know some college courses or employers will ask for a copy of your vaccination records before you start your course or employment?

Vaccines given as part of the national immunisation programmes will be held in HSE local immunisation offices. Their contact details can be found here http://bit.ly/VaccRecds The office will let you know what details they need to process your request. It can take up to 6 weeks to process your request.

Ask for a copy of your records now and keep them in a safe place.

www.immunisation.ie 32 Education

BA honours in Geography and Outdoor Education THIS programme combines the study of the Geography, Landscape and Adventure. Students explore and examine the geology, archaeology and ecology of the Irish landscape and realise the potential of adventure tourism, green exercise and nature therapy.

Mayo's mountain's and the wild Atlantic coast provide an ideal location for the fieldwork elements of the course.

Students learn about the careful management of an increasingly threatened natural world and how to educate others in sustainable practise. Graduates will be well placed to manage the sometimes different interests between rural landuses such as farming, tourism, outdoor recreation, nature conservation, forestry and alternative energy solutions.

Graduates will also have the skills to deliver adventure programmes

and interpret the landscape history of the countryside. Students gain qualifications in adventure sports while building experience in delivering educational and adventure tourism programmes.

Career opportunities Graduates may progress to the Professional Master of Education programme to teach Geography at second level.

Graduates can pursue careers in the area of, Countryside Recreation Management, Trail Design, Spatial Planning, Nature Conservation, Geographical Information Systems, Rural and Community Development, Environmental Education, Sport Development, Coaching and Eco/Adventure Tourism.

More Info @ www.gmit.ie Course site: tinyurl.com/3pf5ecp5 Education 33

When it means more than anything You need a specialist insurer A different kind of Insurer, with a reputation for expertise, stability and service and with all dispersible profits given back to the specialist communities we serve. Offering a broader range of specialisms than you may have thought, it’s time to take another look.

Our specialists make us who we are.

Visit us at ecclesiastical.ie/brokers

Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc Reg. No. 24869. Registered in England at Benefact House, 2000 Pioneer Avenue, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4AW, United Kingdom. Registered Branch in Dublin, Ireland. Reg No. 902180. 2nd Floor, Block F2, EastPoint, Dublin 3. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom (Firm Reference Number 113848).

................................................................................................................................ NEWS

Praise for Irish 'professionalising' postgraduate research education A new international report has commended Irish higher education institutions for ensuring both the standard of awards, and the quality of student experience, by ‘professionalising’ the delivery of postgraduate research education and training in Ireland.

The report was published by an international expert team within the European University Association.

The expert team investigated the level of implementation of the National Framework for Doctoral Education (NFDE), identified examples of good practice within the Irish higher education sector and provided recommendations on further implementation and deepening the practice of provision.

The report recognised that Irish higher education institutions have reformed their doctoral education in line with

developments in continental Europe through broad consultation, and the provision of a coherent set of guidance documents through the NFDE. The report makes a number of recommendations regarding the future course of doctoral education: • Enhance collaboration between institutions in doctoral training; • Improve the student representation in governance; • Improve career development supports offered; • Work with alumni and employers to develop 'soft skills' training; • System to track the careers of research graduates; • Revamp the current NFDE Advisory Forum to build a community of practice; • Improve the promotion of the 'Irish doctorate' abroad.

Tim Conlon, HEA, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris announcing the €40m Shared Island Funds for research

€40 million for North-South new research programme THE Government has recently announced €40 million in funding for a new North-South Research programme.

The investment will be provided through the Shared Island Fund and will support the deepening of links between higher education institutions, researchers and research communities on the island of Ireland.

The funding will support individual researchers based in an southern higher education

institution (HEI) to collaborate with a researcher in a northern HEI on a research project, or research teams to collaborate on an agreed work programme.

In the Year 1 call, Strand I projects may receive a maximum of €100,000 per annum for up to two years, while Strands II and III projects may receive up to €1 million per annum for up to four years. A maximum of 50% of any award may be allocated to NI partners.

Education 35

Time for a fresh look at St Patrick's Our BATh opens doors to many careers With the Joint Arts Degree at St Patrick’s Pontifical University and MU we offer 24 arts subjects to study alongside Theology. Our graduates have gone on to enjoy successful careers that include teaching, marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, finance, community development, social services, chaplaincy and parish administration.

For more information visit:

maynoothcollege.ie/bath-cao-info-hub Or contact our admissions team on +353 (0)1 708 3964 or by email at admissions@spcm.ie

BA in Theology & Arts — BATh CAO Ref MU001 St Patrick’s also offers a suite of postgraduate programmes.

Find out more at maynoothcollege.ie/postgraduate

36 Education

1795

Theology as an education in wisdom Business, Sociology, Criminology, Music, English, Anthropology, Law, Criminology, Geography, or History alongside Theology.

Those combinations open up all kinds of possibilities to grow as a person while being equipped to make a positive difference in the lives of others through a variety of career paths.

THEOLOGY is probably not at the top of a lot of people’s lists when considering what to study at university. After all, not too many people grow up thinking they want to be theologians! But studying theology at St Patrick’s Pontifical University just might be a good choice for you.

Let me explain why.

Why study theology?

What kind of student enjoys theology? You do not have to consider yourself religious, but you would need to be open to the bigger questions in life, to thinking about God and meaning and good and evil.

Someone who ends up choosing theology will want to make a positive difference, to help others, and to make the world a better and a kinder place. If you are interested in history, in people and society, in what it means to be human, in literature, in culture, in the world as our common home, then theology could be a good fit too.

I n t h e B AT h i n S t P a t r i c k ’s Pontifical University, students take theology alongside other subjects from Maynooth University. Most of our students are not setting out to become professional theologians.

They could be studying German,

By Dr. Jessie Rogers, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at St. Patrick's Pontifical University

"St Patrick’s College Maynooth students become alert to ethical issues and have a greater understanding of the viewpoints of others"

Career paths University is meant to train for life and taking Theology alongside another Arts subject will certainly do that. You would be developing skills such as critical thinking, good communication and the ability to explain and debate issues, clarity of thought and working with complexity.

You would not only be learning things that are useful, but also exploring what is beautiful and what is good. St Patrick’s students become alert to ethical issues and have a greater understanding of the viewpoints of others. Our hope is that they become committed to the common good and reflect on how they can contribute to that wherever their future takes them.

A d e g r e e f r o m S t P a t r i c k ’s Pontifical University lays the groundwork for a wide range of careers.

Our graduates become teachers, journalists, chaplains, pastoral workers, academics and entrepreneurs.

They are engaged in community development, administration, business, research, postgraduate study, parish and youth work A special place St Patrick’s Pontifical University is a wonderful place to study for so many reasons. Our campus is gorgeous – steeped in tradition but with state-of-the-art facilities. We are right in the middle of Maynooth, Ireland’s only university town. It is not as hectic or intimidating as Dublin can be, yet the capital is only 40 minutes away by public transport.

Classes are small and the lecturers are friendly and approachable. They are genuinely interested and engaged in the progress of each individual student. Because we share a campus and facilities with Maynooth University, our students are ‘dual citizens’ and can enjoy the buzz of a large campus too; it really is the best of both worlds.

You could think of studying theology as an education in wisdom. It will equip you to experience the true fulfilment that serving others can bring..

Education 37

What is Social Care?

SOCIAL care is a profession where people work in partnership with those who experience marginalisation, disadvantage, or special needs.

Social care workers professionally guide, challenge and support those entrusted to their care toward achieving their maximum potential.

Social care workers may work, for example, with children and adolescents in residential care; people with learning or physical disabilities; people who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences, people who are homeless; people with alcohol/drug dependency; people with mental health or wellbeing difficulties; families in the community; older people; minority and marginalised populations; and others.

In summary, social care professionals work with diverse service user groups presenting with complex needs.

Defining Social Care CORU, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, defines social care as: “A relationship-based approach to the purposeful planning and provision of care, protection, psycho-social support and advocacy in partnership with vulnerable individuals and groups who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or special needs. Principles of social justice and human rights are central to the practice of social care workers.”

In addition to a strong academic background, social care workers should have certain personal attributes such as reliability and trustworthiness; altruism, selfawareness, empathy, compassion, 38 Education

ability to work independently and as part of a team. Social care work can be emotionally and physically challenging and can mean working in difficult environments - but it can also be uniquely rewarding.

What qualifications do you need to be a Social Care Worker?

Social Care Workers require a Level 7 BA in Social Care. Member colleges of the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE) offer a range of social care qualifications at Level 7 Ordinary degree, and Level 8 Honours degree. Some programmes are delivered on both a full-time and part-time basis. For further details on specific college offerings, please refer to the contact list at the end of this article.

“Social care workers will typically work in a direct person-toperson capacity with the users of services”

A course of study in Social Care typically includes subjects such as sociology, psychology, social administration and policy, principles of professional practice, law, creative studies (art, drama, music) and research methods.

A key element of studying to be a professional social care practitioner is involvement in at least two supervised work practice placements of 400 hours each within a social care setting under the supervision of a social care worker employed in the placement agency.

Social Care students are challenged to develop academically through deepening their knowledge, professionally, by learning and practicing social care skills, and personally, by developing a capacity to look at their own strengths and weaknesses in relation to the work involved.

In line with the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, the Social Care profession is moving towards regulation and social care programmes across Ireland are currently being validated to comply with these statutory regulations.

CORU (Health & Social Care Professionals Council) is the body responsible for regulating health and social care professions, with their main role being to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training, and competency.

All social care workers, once qualified, will be required to register with CORU to enable them to practice in the sector. Like other health and social care professions Social Care Workers will have to adhere to the code of professional conduct and ethics of the profession.

What’s the difference between a social care practitioner and a social worker?

Social care workers will typically work in a direct person-to-person capacity with the users of services.

They will seek to provide a caring, stable environment in which various social, educational and relationship interventions can take place in the day-to-day living space of the service user.

The social worker's role, on the other hand, is typically to manage the 'case', for example by arranging the residential placement in which a child is placed, coordinating case review meetings and negotiating the termination of a placement.

It is possible for those with a degree in social care to qualify as a social worker via postgraduate studies.

Several Irish universities accept holders of Level 8 social care degrees to social work postgraduate programmes.

Where do Social Care Workers gain employment?

Social care workers are employed in a variety of sectors including the public sector e.g. TUSLA and Health Service Executive, voluntary organisations e.g. St John of God’s Services, Enable Ireland, community development organisations, juvenile justice projects and in the private sector social care organisations.

Further Information You can obtain further information about social care courses and qualifications by contacting any of the institutions in the box to the right.

Institution

Contact Person

Contact Details

Athlone Institute of Technology

Oliver Hegarty

ohegarty@ait.ie 090 6442530

Carlow College, St Patrick’s

Dr John McHugh

jmchugh@carlowcollege.ie 059 9153200

Dundalk Institute of Technology

Patricia Rahill

patricia.rahill@dkit.ie 042 9370200 Extn 2948

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology

Dr Davy Walsh

davy.walsh@gmit.ie 094 9043280

Institute of Technology Waterford

Hazel Finlay Victoria McDonagh

hfinlay@wit.ie vmcdonagh@wit.ie

Institute of Technology Carlow Main Campus

Vicki Anderson Eileen Farrell

vicky.anderson@itcarlow.ie 059 9175383 eileen.farrell@itcarlow.ie 059 9175391

Institute of Technology Carlow Wexford Campus

Susan Barnes Christina Sieber

susan.barnes@itcarlow.ie 053 9185828 christina.sieber@itcarlow.ie

Institute of Technology Sligo

Sheena O’Neill Caroline Costello

oneill.sheena@itsligo.ie 071 9155222 costello.caroline@itsligo.ie

Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Dr Louise McBride

louise.mcbride@lyit.ie

074 9186308

Limerick Institute of Technology (Moylish campus)

Dr Carole Glynn Jennifer O'Grady

Carole.Glynn@lit.ie jennifer.ogrady@lit.ie

061 239209

Munster Technological University (Cork campus)

Dr Aoife Johnson Dr Tom O’Connor

aoife.johnson@cit.ie Tom.OConnor@cit.ie

021 4326178

Munster Technological University (Kerry campus)

Dr Patrick McGarty Aisling Sharkey

patrick.mcgarty@staff.ittralee.ie 066 7191660 Aisling.Sharkey@staff.ittralee.ie 066 7191662

Open Training College

Dr Noelín Fox

noelin.fox@opentrainingcollege.com 01 2988544

Technological University Dublin Blanchardstown Campus

Emmett Tuite

emmett.tuite@tudublin.ie 01 8851161

Technological University Dublin Grangegorman Campus

Dr David Williams

david.williams@tudublin.ie 01 2205477

Technological University Dublin Tallaght Campus

Marian Connell

marian.connell@tudublin.ie 01 4042816

051 302106

Education 39

Reference Guide Briefing

The DARE route to THE Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. DARE offers reduced points places to school leavers who, as a result of having a disability, have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education.

DARE is for school leavers with a disability under the age of 23 as of 1 January 2022, who have been educationally impacted as a result of that disability. Applicants to DARE can present with an Irish Leaving Certificate, A-Levels and other EU qualifications.

Mature students and students applying on the basis of Further Education and Training (FET) results have different admission routes. You can get further information on these routes from college and university websites.

Is DARE for me?

If you have one or more of the disabilities listed on the accesscollege.ie site and your disability has had a negative impact on your second level education, then you should apply to DARE. To be eligible for DARE, you must meet both the evidence of disability criteria and educational impact criteria.

Reduced Points If you apply to DARE and meet the application criteria (that is, are deemed eligible for DARE), you may be offered a place even if you do not have enough Leaving Certificate points for your preferred course.

Each participating college and university has a reserved number of places to offer eligible DARE applicants at lower or reduced Leaving Certificate points.

An example of a reduced points offer is that the Leaving Certificate points for a particular course is 366 points. An eligible DARE applicant could be offered a place with a lower points score, e.g. 356 points.

This applicant would also, like all other applicants applying to college, need to meet the minimum entry requirements and any specific programme requirements before being considered for a DARE reduced points offer. The reduction in points for DARE places can vary every year.

The number of points a particular course is reduced by is dependent on a number of factors, such as • The overall number of places on the course.

• The number of reserved DARE places on the course.

• The number of DARE eligible applicants competing for these reserved places.

Information on the number of

"Each participating college and university has a reserved number of places to offer eligible DARE applicants at lower or reduced Leaving Certificate points"

Editorial source: accesscollege.ie

Participating colleges ■ Athlone Institute of Technology ■ Cork Institute of Technology ■ Dublin City University ■ Dundalk Institute of Technology ■ Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology ■ Galway Mayo Institute of Technology ■ Institute of Technology Carlow ■ Institute of Technology Tralee ■ Institute of Technology Sligo ■ Letterkenny Institute of Technology ■ Limerick Institute of Technology ■ Marino Institute of Education 40 Education

■ Mary Immaculate College ■ Maynooth University ■ National College of Ireland ■ National University of Ireland, Galway ■ Pontifical University Maynooth ■ Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ■ St Angela’s College, Sligo ■ Technological University Dublin ■ Trinity College Dublin ■ University College Cork ■ University College Dublin ■ University of Limerick ■ Waterford Institute of Technology

reduced points places available per course and the method used by colleges for selecting eligible DARE students for those places is available on HEI websites and on each of the participating colleges’ page on the accesscollege.ie site.

Prioritisation of Applicants Eligible for both DARE & HEAR Research has shown that students with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds face the greatest obstacles when it comes to progression to higher education. In order to increase the numbers of students facing this ‘double disadvantage’, colleges participating in DARE and HEAR have agreed to prioritise this group when allocating reduced points places.

Prioritisation of Eligible DARE Applicants with a Physical or Sensory Disability Research has identified that students with physical and sensory (Blind/ Vision Impairment and Deaf/ Hard of Hearing) disabilities are particularly underrepresented in higher education in Ireland relative to all students with disabilities.

In order to increase the numbers of DARE students with physical and sensory disabilities being admitted to higher education, the DARE colleges have agreed to prioritise these two groups when allocating reduced points places.

College Supports You don’t have to be eligible for DARE to get support in college. All students with a verified disability, regardless of whether they come through DARE or not, can avail of a variety of academic, personal and social supports while studying at third level.

College supports may include: • Orientation programmes.

• Learning support.

• Assistive technology.

• Library support.

• Exam accommodations.

Reference Guide Briefing

third level access DARE Applications 2010-2020 6000

HERE/DARE and Covid 19 HERE and DARE applications for 2022 are planned as normal but applicants should keep up to date at accesscollege.ie.

4000 2000 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Eligible

Ineligible

Total applications assessed

Some changes were made to the DARE application process for 2021 and changes are likely for the 2022 year to take into account the Covid 19 pandemic.

Source: DARE HEAR SUMMARY REPORT 2020

0, 4012 individual applicants to DARE received an offer of a place in higher education (representing a of courses, it is useful to discuss any authorities (e.g. National University • Educational Support Worker. increase on• the number of offers made inof 2019) with 3146College accepting their offer. questions or concerns you may have Ireland, Trinity Dublin, Academic tuition.

University of Limerick, etc.). Further "Students with with the Disability/Access Service in and college in which you are interinformation on two applying for(one lan- atdisabilities ther CAO applicants, those applying to DARE can receive offers Level 8 and one the at Level 6/7). ested. guage waivers is available on the specific Check AHEAD 0, the total AHEAD numberprovides of offers to DARE to eligible students was points offers were made learning accesscollege.ie site. 6132. 1738 reduced information RE applicants, while additional DARE already achieved on or aboveFinancial the points difficulties can If there is aapplicants language requirement students andan graduates with 4394 disabil-eligible Assistance and SUSI follow their in the specific programme requireities, teachers, course. guidance For counsellors Students ed for their preferred those applicants receiving a reduced points CAO offer, this offer wasapplying to DARE are and parents on disability issues in ments for your chosen course, you route to college encouraged to find out more inforfor a course higher on their list of CAO preferences than their points would normally permit, or where with the e d u c a t i o n . A H E A D u n d e r t a k e must have that language. mation on the maintenance grant. would not national have received any offer at Disability research relating to all. the Additional information on other Access Map." Fitness to Practice inclusion of students with disabilities, sources of financial assistance for Students on most professional contribute to national policy forums third level students is available at and provide professional develop- health/ teaching courses are required www.studentfinance.ie. ment opportunities to develop the to complete a medical declaration capacity of staff in FET and higher form confirming they do not have a Comprehensive information on education to be more inclusive. See disability/ significant on-going illness the DARE scheme is available that Education may delay Access or prevent them www.ahead.ie. at www.accesscollege.ie The Higher Route (HEAR) is a third level admissions starting or completing the professcheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college programme.

Language Waivers supportsional to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged If you are applying for these type Applying to DARE and applying backgrounds. In order to be eligible for HEAR applicants must fulfil for a language waiver are two sepathe following criteria: rate processes. Therefore, DARE applicants who require a language waiver but haven’t yet applied for one need to apply to the relevant • Disability Access Map

HE AR

Eligibility Indicators ncome Medical Cards Means-Tested Social Welfare Payment ocio-Economic Group chool rea

=

R Applications, Offer and Acceptances 2020

0, 61% of HEAR applicants met the eligibility criteria, compared to 54% in 2010. This higher eligibility the result of improved communications to students, parents/guardians and schools as well as userly developments in the HEAR application processes.

Education 41

See your career going places with the ESB Networks Apprenticeship Programme ESB Networks have recruited over 300 apprentices in the last five years.

We will be recruiting up to 60 apprentices across the country again in February 2022 for our programme starting in September 2022.

Our programme will be open for applicants from mid-February 2022 at www.esbnetworks.ie/careers/ apprenticeships. There are a number of interesting Apprentice Videos on our website also that will give you an idea of the type of work our Apprentice Networks Technician (Electricians) are involved in on a day to day basis.

High level of interest The 2021 ESB Networks Apprenticeship Programme recruitment campaign received over 4,500 applications, highlighting the level of interest in the programme and a career that is both diverse and challenging.

As an Apprentice Network Technician (Electrician), recruits receive on the job training, working as part of front-line teams, as well as classroom-based learning.

Apprentices benefit, from varied work experience, working indoors and outdoors, and learning about technology, customer service, and delivering results under pressure.

They learn a variety of electrical and practical skills and, upon completion of the programme obtain a QQI Advanced Level 6 Electrical Trade Certificate which is recognised around the world.

Seven phases The ESB Networks Electrical Apprenticeship is SOLAS standardsbased, consisting of 208 weeks over four years. During this time, there are seven SOLAS phases and ESB Networks off job training, including phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 are on the job, working closely with a qualified Network Technician on varied sites across ESB Networks.

The SOLAS phases 2, 4 and 6 consist of off-the-job training modules, with phase two in a SOLAS Training Centre, with Phase 4 and 6 in IT Colleges around the country.

Finally, there are 24 weeks of ESB Networks off the job training which

How to apply FOR those, who are interested in becoming an ESB Networks Apprenticeship, the programme will open to applicants in February 2022.

All Interviews will take place from the middle of April to the Middle of May. With offers been made the last week in July/ first week in August. All new recruits will start their apprentices with ESB Network in late August / early September 2022. The programme is open to individuals over 16 years of age on 1st June of the year they are applying.

At the time of application, candidates must have obtained the following minimum educational qualifications: Junior Certificate (Ordinary Level) Grade C or higher at Ordinary Level (or Grade D or higher at Higher Level) in the 42 Education

"ESB Networks apprentices will be at the fore in delivering and providing services to our customers"

Junior Certificate (or equivalent) in the following subjects: 1) Irish or English 2) Mathematics 3) Science* 4) Any 2 other subjects * If you have not obtained the required grade in Science, Grade C or higher at Ordinary Level in any one of the following

takes place in the ESB Networks Training Centre, Portlaoise.

Having completed the four-year programme, apprentices will have gained experience working with a lead-ing utility company. ESB Networks serves 2.3 million customers in Ireland, providing a safe and reliable electricity supply to homes, businesses and communities throughout the country - ESB Networks appren-tices play an important part in delivering this service.

Role combines both physical and logical Customer service is at the heart of ESB Networks, through their experience, ESB Networks apprentices will be at the fore in delivering and providing services to our customers.

Though the job requires an element of physicality, there is much more to the programme than climbing poles and heavy lifting, the role combines both physical and logical activity.

True to the fact that no two days are the same in the programme, apprentices will be assisting and

subjects is acceptable: Technology, Art Craft and Design, Technical Graphics, Materials Technology (Wood), Home Economics or Metalwork.

Leaving Certificate Grade D / O6 or higher at Ordinary Level in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) in the following sub-jects: 1) Irish or English 2) Mathematics 3) Science Subject (Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics & Chemistry)* 4) Any 2 other subjects * If you have not obtained the required grade in any of the above Science subjects, the following is ac-ceptable at Leaving Certificate Level (Grade D/O6 or higher at Ordinary Level) : Art, Construction Studies, Design and Communication, Graphics, Engineering, Home Economics, Technical Drawing and Technology.

dealing with a wide range of customer’s needs.

In their day-to-day work activities they can be responding to faults and fault finding to maintain customer supply, connecting new customers, both residential and commercial to the electricity network, replacing and maintaining electrical assets and installing new elements to the electricity network like overhead wires and unground cable technologies.

Peer support A critical part of the ESB Networks Apprenticeship Programme is the training and peer support given to the apprentices.

Throughout the programme, apprentices work alongside and closely with experienced Network Techni-cians.

While the job may be challenging, the apprentice is always part of a team who will be there to assist and support throughout the programme. ESB Networks greatly fosters and encourages the idea of creating a team and peer support network.

"They learn a variety of electrical and practical skills and, upon completion of the programme obtain a QQI Advanced Level 6 Electrical Trade Certificate which is recognised around the world"

Education 43

44 Education

How FET and Apprenticeships can take you where you want to go WITH the Leaving Certificate now over and life beginning to return to normal, the class of 2021 have a bright future ahead as they move into the next phase of their learning journeys. Despite the remaining restrictions, a return to on campus education is looking increasingly likely in September and recent school leavers now have a world of choice when it comes to taking their next big step including options in Further Education and Training (FET).

Not one-size-fits-all The established route from school to university is not a one-size-fits-all model. Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses have much to offer recent school leavers. There are one and two-year programmes offering awards at NFQ Levels 5 and 6 in a wide variety of subjects, including pre-university Science, Anatomy and Nutrition, Sport, Art and Design, Multimedia Web Development and ICT, among many others.

Applied learning courses means that students apply classroom theory to real life situations so that upon completion, students are ready for the world of work or are prepared for further learning. PLC courses are not accessed via the Central Applications Office (CAO) just yet.

Instead, interested students can apply directly to the colleges or through the website: www.fetchcourses.ie.

Many students who take up PLCs decide to continue studies upon completion and these courses can act

as a steppingstone to third-level study. Recent research has shown the third level completion rate for students with a foundation in a PLC rises to 75 per cent, meaning those who first consider Further Education and Training options as a pathway to Higher Education are successful in choosing the right courses and securing their degree.

Many universities, colleges and Institutes of Technology have programmes in place to recognise further education and training qualifications as a route to entry. If a student completes a PLC programme with good results, they have a good chance of securing a reserved place on a third level course. A database of such linked programmes is available on careersportal.ie.

Range of Apprenticeships In addition to PLC options, the range of Apprenticeships in Ireland has expanded greatly in recent years.

The “earn as you learn” model is becoming ever more popular with school leavers who want to fasttrack their careers but still earn a qualification.

Apprenticeships are now available in a wide variety of areas, including healthcare, biopharma, international financial services, auctioneering, engineering, hospitality and insurance practice, with many more on offer to young people on the Generation Apprenticeship website: www.apprenticeship.ie.

In terms of qualifications, Apprenticeships can take you from

"The Government will encourage employers to take on new apprentices in 2021 and beyond through employer incentives which means even more Apprenticeship opportunities will be available to school leavers"

"Applied learning courses means that students apply classroom theory to real life situations"

Leaving Certificate as far as you want to go, in some cases, all the way to NFQ Levels 9 and 10, the equivalent of a Masters and Doctoral degree.

In April 2021, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, launched a new Action Plan for Apprenticeships with a commitment to enhance government support for apprenticeships over the next five years. The Government will encourage employers to take on new apprentices in 2021 and beyond through employer incentives which means even more Apprenticeship opportunities will be available to school leavers, despite the effects of COVID-19.

Traineeships A third option is to undertake a Traineeship. Traineeships typically take from 6-20 months full-time to complete. They provide occupationspecific training and integrate formal classroom training and workplace coaching with a host employer.

Courses facilitate those entering the labour market for the first time and persons wishing to up-date or acquire new skills Whatever your chosen career, Further Education and Training can take you there.

For more information on FET courses and Apprenticeships, visit thisisfet.ie and apprenticeship.ie.

We are the makers. The future is what you make it.

Education 45

Reference Guide Briefing

Comparing Irish and

Foundation Degrees (for example FdA, FdSc) Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE) Higher National Diplomas (HND) Irish Higher Certificates Higher National Certificates (HNC) Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE)

46 Education

10 6

8

First cycle (end of cycle) qualifications

7 9

Intermediate qualifications within the first cycle Short cycle qualifications

5

4

8

7

6

Intermediate qualifications within the short cycle

Must include a qualification

Modern Apprenticeship

Must lead to an existing qualification type

5

6 Apprenticeship

5

Modern Apprenticeship, Foundation Apprenticeship

7 Apprenticeship

6

Modern Apprenticeship

Technical Apprenticeship, Higher Apprenticeship

8 Apprenticeship

8

Vocation Qualifica

7

Vocation Qualifica

6

Vocation Qualifica

4

7

Apprenticeship

Foundation Apprenticeship

3

2

Must include a qualification

Higher Apprenticeship

4

Bachelor’s Degree with Honours, Bachelor’s Degree, Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate

5

4

Vocation Qualifica Higher N

3

2

Advanced Apprenticeship

Intermediate Apprenticeship

Higher Level Apprenticeship

4

3

Access to HE Diploma*

Branding and marketing exercise in 2019/20 may lead to differentation between the HLAs at the various levels

Higher National Certificate (HNC), Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)

Higher/Advanced/ Intermediate Apprenticeship: May include a qualification

4

Degree Apprenticeship: Must include a Degree

Vocation Qualifica Higher N

Levels 4-8: primarily based on a single higher-level qualification at each level

5

Traineeships NI

Foundation Degree, Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Higher National Diploma (HND) Apprenticeships NI

5

Higher Apprenticeship

3

*The Access to HE Diploma is regulated

by QAA but is not part of the FHEQ

2

6 Higher Level Apprenticeship

6

Master’s Degree, Integrated Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Postgraduate Certificate

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship

8 Higher Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship

9 7 Higher Level Apprenticeship

Higher Apprenticeship

Professional Apprenticeship, Graduate Apprenticeship

10

Graduate Apprenticeship, Technical Apprenticeship

Professional Apprenticeship, Graduate Apprenticeship

11

9

Professional Apprenticeship, Not yet developed

Scotland Ireland

Apprenticeship, Not yet developed

10 8

Higher level Apprenticeship, Not yet developed

6

LEVEL

The table gives an indication of how 2 you can compare qualifications across national boundaries. Examples of major qualifications at each level are provided.

Secondary education. Initial entry into For more detail of the qualifications Regulation employment or further education that are current and legacy at the time QAA SCQF Partnership CCEA Regulation of Street publication in each country,Road, you will Southgate House 201 West George 29 Clarendon Clarendon 1 Southgate Street Glasgow Belfast BT1 3BG need to consult theDock, website given at the Gloucester, GL1 1UBcross boundaries G2 2LW Tel: +44 (0)28 9026 1200 Qualifications can head of each column.

Tel: +44 (0)1452 557050 Email: info@scqf.org.uk Email: info@ccea.org.uk - a guide to comparing qualifications www.qaa.ac.uk www.scqf.org.uk www.ccea.org.uk This leaflet is designed to give some in the UK and Ireland, information to help you begin this Seventh edition published process, for example, by telling September 2019 you what your qualification, Ofqual CQFW, Welsh Government and Qualifications Ireland or qualifications youQuality are interested Earlsdon Park Sarn Mynach (QQI) in studying, are broadly 53-55 Butts Road Llandudno Junction 26-27comparable Denzille lane Coventry, CV1 3BH Conwy to in other countries.Dublin

Entry Level

Bachelor’s degrees with honours /Honours Bachelor Degrees Irish Higher Diplomas Bachelor’s degrees/ Ordinary Bachelor Degree Graduate diplomas Graduate certificates

Progression to skilled employment Continuation of secondary education

7

Doctoral Degree

3

Postgraduate certificates

Intermediate qualifications within the second cycle

8

4

9

LEVEL

5

11

Degree Apprenticeship, Higher Apprenticeship

7

6

Postgraduate diplomas

Second cycle (end of cycle) qualifications

7

Master’s degrees (including Integrated Master’s)

Third cycle (end of cycle) qualifications

Degree Apprenticeship, Higher Apprenticeship

10

Qualified/Skilled worker Entry to higher education Completion of secondary education

7

12

8

8

NFQ Corresponding IE FQ-EHEA cycle level

Specialised education and training

Degree Apprenticeship, Higher Apprenticeship, Not yet developed

Doctoral degrees

FHEQ FQHEIS/ level SCQF level

Entry to professional graduate employment

8

Typical higher education qualifications within each level

For more information on compatibility with these frameworks see: http://ec.europa.eu/eqf/home_en.htm and www.enic-naric.net.

Table 2 shows the outcome of verifying the compatibility of higher education frameworks for Scotland (FQHEIS/SCQF), for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) and for the NFQ for Ireland (NFQ IE) with the FQ-EHEA as follows:

Higher education Advanced Skills Training

Wales

10 9 8/7 6 5 4 3 2/1

Northern Ireland

12 11 10/9 8/7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Regulated Q for England www.ofqua www.ccea.o

Framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland www.qaa.ac.uk

Professional or postgraduate education, research or employment

England

8 7 6 5/4 3 2 1 E3 E2 E1

The National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland (NFQ IE)

Scope of Apprenticeships across the UK and Ireland

8 7 6 5/4 3 2 1 E3 E2 E1

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)

Level

8 7 6 5/4

Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)

Level

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Regulated Qualifications Framework England/ Northern Ireland (RQF)

Level

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England/ Northern Ireland (FHEQ)

Level

Table 1 shows the correspondence of levels established between national qualifications frameworks and the EQF:

Qualifications can be taken at any age in order to continue or return to education or training

Level

Within Europe, two overarching qualifications frameworks exist to which the national qualifications frameworks of the UK and Ireland relate: The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (FQ-EHEA) also known as the Bologna Framework.

12

Main stages of education/employment

Correspondences between UK and Irish frameworks with European qualifications frameworks

European Qualifications Framework (EQF)

Qualifications are different in different countries. However, there are some clear stages people move through in education, training and work that are common to most countries. Primary education is followed by secondary education and then initial entry into employment and/or further higher education or training.

The main table gives an indication of how you can compare qualifications across national boundaries. Examples of major qualifications at each level are provided. For more detail of the current qualifications in each country, you will need to consult the website given at the heading of each column.

Higher Apprenticeship

Recruiting people with Irish qualifications in the UK or people with UK qualifications in Ireland? You may be interested in the answer to these questions.

■ How do I know what a qualification from another country means in terms of level?

■ Which national qualification should I compare this qualification

to?

■ Where can I find more detailed information about the content and level of qualifications?

5

ARE you thinking of working or studying in the UK or Ireland? You may be interested in the answer to one or more of these questions: ■ What do they call the qualification which compares most closely with mine?

■ Will I get some recognition for the qualifications I have?

■ What kind of job or course can I apply for with my current qualification?

Tel: +44 (0)300 303 3344 LL31 9RZ Email: public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk Email: cqfw.enquiries@gov.wales www.gov.uk/ofqual www.cqfw.net

D02 P266 Tel: +353 (0)1 905 8100 www.qqi.ie

Vocation Qualifica GCE AS

Vocation GCSE at Function Essentia

Vocation GCSE at Function Skills Qu

Entry Le Function Skills Qu

tion ales and

Master’s ma, Education cate

Reference Guide Briefing

British qualifications Qualifications in each of these frameworks change from time to time and you need to check the relevant websites for the latest versions (as well as for earlier versions of the framework where these are available). Entry requirements for jobs and courses often vary within a country. This means you will need to check specific requirements with the employer or institution for the job or course that you are interested in.

■ On the left side of the table you will find the main stages of education or employment - you can find where you are in these stages.

■ To the right of this you can see the nearest levels and similar kinds of qualifications that are used in each country.

■ This makes it possible to draw broad comparisons, rather than direct equivalences, between qualifications and their levels for each country.

■ The left table indicates how Irish and UK qualifications frameworks relate to qualifications frameworks in Europe.

■ These tables are updated periodically. Check one of the websites for the most up-to-date version.

How to use the main table: ■ The table provides information that allows you to look at the ways qualifications are organised in the UK and Ireland.

■ It shows which qualifications in other countries are broadly comparable to your qualifications (or those that you are interested in taking).

Regulated Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland www.ofqual.gov.uk www.ccea.org.uk LEVEL

8

7

Vocational, Technical and Professional Qualifications

Vocational, Technical and Professional Qualifications

Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales www.cqfw.net

LEVEL

8

Doctoral Degree, Vocational Qualifications

7

Master’s Degree, Vocational Qualifications, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland www.qqi.ie

LEVEL

HNC), on (CertHE)

9

Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma

11

Honours Bachelor Degree, Higher Diploma

Bachelor’s Degree with Honours, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, 10 Professional Apprenticeship, Graduate Apprenticeship, PDA, SVQ, Award

ested parable

Honours Degree, Vocational Qualifications, Professional Certificate in Education

8

7

Ordinary Bachelor Degree

5

4

Vocational, Technical and Professional Qualifications, Higher National Certificate (HNC)

4

Higher National Certificate (HNC), Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), Vocational Qualifications

3

Vocational, Technical and Professional Qualifications, GCE AS and A Level

3

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced, Vocational Qualifications, GCE, AS and A Level, Access to HE

5

Level 5 Certificate, Leaving Certificate

2

Vocational & Technical Qualifications, GCSE at grade A*-C and grade 9-4, Functional Skills (England), Essential Skills Qualification (NI)

2

Welsh Baccalaureate National, Vocational Qualifications, Essential Skills Wales Qualifications, GCSE at grade A*-C

4

Level 4 Certificate, Leaving Certificate

1

Vocational & Technical Qualifications, GCSE at grade D-G and grade 3-1, Functional Skills (England), Essential Skills Qualifications (NI)

1

Welsh Baccalaureate Foundation, Vocational Qualifications, Essential Skills Wales Qualifications, GCSE at grade D-G

3

Level 3 Certificate, Junior Certificate

Entry Level Certificate (sub levels 1-3), Functional Skills (England), Essential Skills Qualifications (NI)

2

Level 2 Certificate

5

Entry Level

e some n this ng

6

Foundation Degree, Vocational Qualifications, Higher National Diploma (HND)

Vocational, Technical and Professional Qualifications, Higher National Diploma (HND)

regulated FHEQ

of how ns across es of major e provided. ations the time y, you will iven at the

Vocational, Technical and Professional Qualifications

Entry Level Qualifications, Essential Skills Qualifications

Doctoral Degree, Professional

Doctoral Degree, Higher Doctorate

Entry Level

n (DipHE), ND)

6

LEVEL

10

ours,

ficate in

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework www.scqf.org.uk

6

1

12 Apprenticeship, Professional

Development Award (PDA), Award

9

Bachelor’s/Ordinary Degree, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Apprenticeship, Technical Apprenticeship, PDA, SVQ, Award

8

Higher National Diploma (HND), Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Technical Apprenticeship, Higher Apprenticeship, PDA, SVQ, Award

7

Higher National Certificate (HNC), Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), Modern Apprenticeship, PDA, SVQ, Scottish Baccalaureate, Advanced Higher, Award

6

Modern Apprenticeship, Foundation Apprenticeship, National Progression Award (NPA), National Certificate, PDA, SVQ, Award

5

National 5, Modern Apprenticeship, SVQ, NPA, National Certificate, Award

4

National 4, SVQ, NPA, National Certificate Award

3

National 3, NPA, National Certificate, Award

2

National 2, NPA, National Certificate, Award

1

National 1, Award

Advanced Certificate, Higher Certificate

Level 1 Certificate

Master’s Degree, Integrated Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, Professional Apprenticeship, Graduate Apprenticeship, PDA, SVQ, Award

Education 47

Liberties College

The Pathway to YOUR Future ESTABLISHED well over 50 years ago, Liberties College has earned its well-deserved reputation as a major p l a y e r i n t h e a re a o f F u r t h e r Education and Training in Dublin.

Situated in the heart of the Liberties and just a stone’s throw from bustling Grafton Street, we attract students from all corners of Ireland as well as from all over Dublin and its surrounding areas.

Our range of courses caters for school leavers, people who wish to upskill or re-skill, as well as people returning to education.

With over 600 students across our two campuses, the mix of nationalities, ages, backgrounds and experiences makes for an exciting culture and atmosphere in the

"Liberties College is as much about personal development as it is about academic development and it helped me believe in myself and showed me what I could achieve"

College.

In addition to the academic schedule, students engage in a variety of extracurricular activities including practical workshops, seminars, educational and cultural trips, visits, shows and a range of hobby and relaxation options – so in such a busy college, with so much happening, you’ll always have an interesting calendar.

This year, Liberties College introduced 3 New Courses: 1. Textiles – Heritage Crafts Revival and Renewal This course focuses on developing artistic skills, techniques and knowledge, based on the traditional crafts of weaving, embroidery, lace making and felting.

Students receive the QQI Level 5 Award in Design 5M2208 2. Pre-Apprenticeship in Software Development This course prepares students to progress into the FIT Apprenticeship in software Development, where they can “Earn as they Learn”, in companies such as, Google, S a l e s f o rc e , M i c ro s o f t , A p p l e , Facebook, Linkedin and many more.

Students receive the QQI Level 5 Award in Software Development 3. National Tour Guiding Award with Business Option This course is for people who have a genuine interest in their locality and are enthusiastic about sharing Ireland’s history, tradition, culture and folklore with others.

The business option provides an

48 Education

insight into running your own business. Students will receive the QQI Level 6 Special Purpose Award in National Tour Guiding together with The QQI Level 6 Award in Tourism with Business.

The feedback received from graduates of Liberties College has been excellent over the years. Many highlight the new skills and confidence gained, which enabled then to take up employment in their chosen area or gain entry to third level institutions to complete Level 7 or Level 8 Degrees, Masters Degrees and even PhDs….

“Liberties College was the catalyst for everything I have done in my life since I left there in 2004, with a Certificate in Youth Work and Community Development – it started a journey that would transform my life.

"I completed a degree in youth

work, became a project leader in the John Bosco Youth Centre, where I’ve worked for the past 14 years and am currently studying for a master’s degree in PR and Journalism.

"Liberties College is as much about personal development as it is about academic development and it helped me believe in myself and showed me what I could achieve” Stephen Sharpe, Youth Studies 2004 “I enjoyed every moment of TAP. This eye-opening course has reversed my attitude towards education and prepared me for university.

"Most importantly, it lighted a spark of interest in the world around me, which I’ll keep forever. I believe the unique opportunity to study at Trinity College afterwards puts TAP ahead of most other PLCs in the country.”

Daniel Craig, TAP Student 2018 “Completing my Travel & Tourism Level 5 Course at Liberties College has opened up a world of opportunities for me.

"I have since graduated as an official Cabin Crew Member with Emirates and have been travelling all over the world” Shannon Foley, Travel & Tourism 2015 “I received huge amounts of support and encouragement from all the tutors at Liberties College.

“I currently work as a Programme Facilitator in a day service for adults with disabilities, whilst completing my degree in Social Care at night” Mairead

e i . e g e l l o c s rtie

libe

Our Guidance and support services take enormous pride in helping students to reach their potential and a range of student supports are provided in this regard.

It is gratifying each year to see our students blossoming, as they engage in courses and activities that interest and inspire them. Many discover individual skills and qualities they weren’t even aware they possessed.

So, if you’re looking for a way to kick start your career, in a progressive and supportive environment, just log on for more info to our website www.libertiescollege.ie and follow us on Facebook, Instagram at #libertiescollege…… And twitter @ LibertiesCollD8 Looking forward to seeing you in Liberties College, the pathway to further study and to your future career.

Education 49

NEWS ................................................................................................................................

DCU looks to lure entrepreneurs DUBLIN City University is calling on anyone with a great early-stage business idea which is based on technology, to take advantage of its Fusion Programme. The programme is open to experienced people with an idea for a business that has proven commercial potential but needs further development.

No connection with DCU is needed.

Successful applicants will be matched to a talented team of researchers with the appropriate expertise and supported with grant funding over an 18-month period.

Ongoing support, training and mentoring will all be provided throughout the project, before finally spinning out a new company

led by the entrepreneur.

Paddy O’Boyle, Director of Business Development in DCU Invent, said: “The formula for building a successful start-up is always complex. Many people have great ideas and an entrepreneurial mindset but don’t have access to technical skills and funding to bring it all together.

"The Fusion Programme is tailored to meet the needs of each idea. We look at a range of supports, including assistance with business and financial planning, pitch coaching, introductions to investors and mentoring by senior researchers and business leaders."

NUIG's stent research

Professor Patrick Serruys and Professor Yoshi Onuma Credit: Aengus McMahon

NUI Galway and leading international medical device company SINOMED have teamed up to conduct a clinical trial of a special stent which has the potential to break new ground in the treatment of patients with heart disease.

The PIONEER-IV trial will take place over several years in 30 hospital centres across Europe and involve 2,540 patients.

School refit saves 48% of annual energy SCOIL Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, a postprimary school in An Cheathru Rua, Galway improved from a C3 Building Energy Rating to a B2 Building Energy Rating under the 2020 Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder.

The school is expected to save up to 48% on energy and a 52% reduction in CO2 emission after upgrades to the roof, the installation of a new LED lighting system and a new high efficiency boiler system.

During 2021, the focus of the pathfinder programme will be to carry out deep retrofit of the buildings and the use of renewable heat.

Inchicore College of Further Education Apply now for a course at Inchicore College of Further Education.

Our courses offer affordable, supportive and exciting pathways to real employment prospects or progression to Higher Education.

Healthcare and Nursing Courses

Creative and Performing Arts Courses

Childcare Courses

Healthcare Assistant/

Furniture Design and Making Level 5

Childcare and Education Level 5

Disability Support Worker Level 5

Art & Design Portfolio Preparation Level 5

Childcare & Education – Advanced Level 6

Assistant Occupational Therapist Level 5

Costume Design & Make-Up Levels 5 & 6

Pre-Paramedic Studies Level 5

Business and Computer Courses

Theatre Studies Performance Level 5

Nursing Studies Level 5

Computer Applications and

Theatre Studies

Mobile Technologies Level 5

Children’s Healthcare Assistant Level 5

Advanced Performance Level 6

Business Studies & Digital Marketing Level 5

APPLY NOW

Healthcare Supervisory Management Level 6 Technical Theatre Diploma: Lighting,

at inchicorecollege.ie

Social Care Courses Applied Psychology Level 5 Applied Psychology in the Community Level 5

Social Studies Level 5 Social Studies Level 6 Social Care Diploma Level 6+ Community Work Diploma Level 6+ Tourism Courses Inchicore College of Further Education, Luby Road, Dublin 8. Ph: 01 4535358

Tourism Studies Level 5 Travel and Tourism Management Diploma Level 6+ Tourism and Cultural Events Management Level 6

50 Education

creating futures

Sound & Stage Management Level 6+ Dance Studies Level 5 Advanced Dance Studies Level 6

Hospital Administration Level 5 Business Studies & Human Resources Level 5 Business and HR Management Advanced Level 6

Creative Writing and Cultural Studies Level 5 Business Studies Diploma Level 6+ Creative Writing & Media Production Level 6 Arts Event Management Advanced Level 6

Adult & Community Education Courses Basic Fitness (Part-time) BTEI Level 4

Sports Courses

Childcare Studies (Part-time)

Strength and Conditioning for Sport Level 5

BTEI Levels 4 & 5

Sports Coaching: Fitness Instructor Level 5

Horticulture (Part-time) Level 4

Sports Coaching: Personal Trainer Level 6

Return to Education: Community Care

Sport and Fitness

(Part-time) Level 5

Management Diploma Level 6+

Hospital Administration (Part-time) Level 5

Sport & Exercise Science Diploma Level 6+

Furniture Design and Making (Part-time) Levels 4 & 5

Your Progression Starts Here

Education 51

Want to go to college?

Sorted...

WHEN summer is over, seaside towns have more to offer than icecream cones and candy floss, and the Victorian seaside town of Dún Laoghaire is no exception. In the quiet end, bordering on leafy Monkstown, a restrained revolution is playing out in a modest building on Cumberland Street.

The warriors are students and teachers carrying the banner for that educational sector that does not receive the same media attention as other educational sectors; extraordinary when you think that it is Further Education colleges like DFEi that are very real channels into third level institutions for school leavers who are disappointed with their Leaving Certificate results, and mature students who are looking to improve their prospects. It’s what a casual observer would call a win, win situation in the educational stakes.

Personal missions So, let’s dust off our imaginary satchels and go inside the building where we will be met by a veritable ant colony – stairs and corridors filled with students of all ages and from diverse backgrounds, each focused on their own very personal mission.

The short-term mission might be getting a seat in the canteen; the longer term one will, of course, be getting a place in a third level college or finding employment; but students always work better on a full stomach, so, while the queue for the canteen moves at its own pace let’s take a quick tour of DFEi. If you are lost, Kieran at reception will point you in the right direction, so don’t hesitate to ask him. Perhaps you would like to see the Learning Centre, and why not? It is a very bright and attractive space, specifically designed as a study hub replete with banks of computers. It is also 52 Education

on this corridor that you will get that recognisable smell of newly sawn wood. If you dream of designing and making your own furniture, or making and repairing musical instruments, this is where you need to fulfil that dream.

Or perhaps you look at the bigger picture – the buildings that house the furniture and the musical instruments. If this is the case, you need to look at DFEi’s Architectural Te c h n o l o g y & D e s i g n o r Construction & Engineering Technology courses.

STEM cells It may seem insincere to say that STEM is a ‘no brainer’ but when you think about it, it’s true. Courses related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics have proven to be reliable and sustainable routes to gainful employment. DFEi’s Pre-University Science courses in Laboratory Techniques and Food Science & Nutrition are the perfect first steps to a STEM career.

Indeed, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs has identified a dearth of graduates to fill available scientific jobs. If you are more attracted to the binary than the organic, a bit ‘nerdy’ perhaps, or a fan of the IT Crowd, you need to check out DFEi’s Computing & Electronic Technology or Software Development courses.

These courses are supported by FIT (Fast Track into IT); a unique IT led initiative giving students the opportunity gain the skills that lead to employment. It’s true then; STEM is a ‘no brainer’.

‘Front of house’ roles Of course, while the STEM people are beavering away in the background, other personality types like to be ‘front of house’, or managing situations. If you fall into this category you should consider DFEI’s courses in Marketing & Event

Management, Business Studies with Law, or Police & Security Studies.

If your desired theatre of action falls into the medical sphere, DFEi’s Community & Social Care course will get you started on the path that will enable you to work with dementia sufferers, or people with disabilities, mental health or social issues.

If your heart is set on the nursing profession, you need to consider DFEi’s very popular Nursing Studies course. The success rates from this course are very high for progression to third level nursing degree programmes in Ireland and the UK. Some people are attracted to the unconditional love of animals; and where would the world be without domestic pets, farm animals and wildlife? Delivered by practicing professionals, DFEi’s Animal Health Care courses boast state of the art facilities and provide regular field trips.

On occasion, you might be surprised by a preponderance of dogs around the building; probably a clue that the animal grooming class has gone ‘live’ or the canine obedience class needs willing woofters. You will be relieved to learn that the large farm animals do not stalk the corridors of DFEi but are instead receive visits from the animal care students.

Going digital The doings of humans, animals, and machines make for an interconnected machine in a complex world; a world that needs to be interpreted, entertained, investigated, and reported on. We’ve got it all covered at DFEi with courses in TV & Digital Film, Digital Radio Production, Journalism for the Digital Age, Sound Production, and Music Production.

The Higher National Diploma in Music Production is taught by working professionals.

On each of these courses you will use industry standard equipment and software. You can do your own

Don’t have enough points?

come to DFEi recording in the sound studio, broadcast your own show in the radio studio, or edit your own programme in the TV studio. Why not tune in to 107.8fm and listen to DFEi’s very own radio station, The Wave? You will find an archive of accomplished documentaries.

Of course, nothing goes unnoticed by journalists, and the journalism students in DFEi are given every opportunity to report on the doings of the humans, animals and machines that make for that interconnected machine in a complex world. Having visited the Criminal Courts of Justice and listened to the evidence in a murder trial, sat in on a Dail debate, or grappled with the spectres of Brexit and Trump, the journalism students have plenty to write about.

will be taught basic research skills, referencing systems, and general academic conventions across all courses. Experience at DFEi has taught us that every student does not learn in the same way or at the same pace. If you have particular learning support requirements, they will be met at DFEii. A tried and tested way DFEi’s quality assured courses are open to anyone who is seeking the knowledge, skills and competencies to enhance their employment opportunities or educational progression.

If you did not get enough points for your chosen third level course, consider spending a year in DFEi. It’s another tried and tested way to get a place in college, as incidentally, is our legendary Arts, Culture & History course – an excellent founda-

"The academic life of DFEi is punctuated by a vibrant calendar of social events showcasing the talents of the students.

If you like an audience, there’s a captive one in DFEi.

tion for pursuing an arts degree in NUI. With subjects like archaeology, folklore and local history, this course is perfect for those of you who want to use your fascination with the past to propel your academic career forward. The formula is simple – eight QQI Level 5 or Level 6 modules with as many distinctions as you can get.

But it takes work on your part. You need to come to class, complete assignments on time and prepare for exams. The teachers are there for you every step of the way if you are there for them.

Find out more Look at our website on www.dfei. ie; it’s really rather attractive and the menu is quite tempting; our brochure is not bad either. We don’t offer ice-cream or candy floss but we do offer a fine education.

Showcasing talent The academic life of DFEi is punctuated by a vibrant calendar of social events showcasing the talents of the students. If you like an audience, there’s a captive one in DFEi. Sound Production students compose their own material to audition for the annual college album release.

The skills of the Event Management, Office Administration and Security students are always sought for college events. Gigs, concerts, and talent shows are enjoyed by both students and staff, usually in the canteen, also known as The Hub, which as well as providing hot food, is equipped with a stage, sound booth and acoustic panelling.

Ladder to a third level DFEi’s courses are designed to meet current industry standards.

Students are taught the fundamental skills and survival techniques that will put them on the ladder to a third level qualification.

You will be taught how to present work in written and oral format. You Education 53

Paving the way for your CRUMLIN College of Further Education has been providing a quali ty educ a t iona l e x p e ri e n ce to students in South Dublin and beyond for 65 years. Located on Crumlin Road, its close proximity to Dublin Bus and Luas services makes it an ideal location for students.

A range of QQI courses are offered at Level 5 and Level 6 in the schools of Hairdressing, Beauty, Fashion, Fitness & Sports Therapy, Information Technology, Business, Administration & Accounting, Tourism, Catering. In addition, a range of night courses are offered at its Evening School. Here’s just a flavour of what’s on offer at Crumlin College….

Fashion The Fashion Department in Crumlin College offers industry focused courses that reflect the current and future staffing requirements of the business and creative sectors of the fashion industry. Students can choose between the QQI Level 5 course in Fashion Buying & Merchandising or Fashion Design with Styling.

Both courses offer students a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field as well as a rounded perspective on the fashion industry as a whole.

The college has established close links with a network of professionals within the fashion industry. Research field-trips for college assignments are organised throughout the academic year and are enjoyable and valuable learning experiences.

Students have the opportunity to get hand-on experience through the college’s work experience programme. There is also the possibility to apply for college-organised internships and work-experience placements in major international Buying & Merchandising offices.

Through the college’s industry links with some of Ireland’s leading fashion designers and fashion stylists, there are frequent opportunities to apply to gain practical hands-on experience in fashion design studios 54 Education

or in assisting in the styling of fashion shows and photo shoots.

Upon successful completion of the QQI Level 5 course, many graduates have successfully gained employment in the fashion industry as Tr a i n e e B u y e r & Merchandisers, Assistant Stylists or Design Studio Assistants. Through the QQI progression routes, graduates may also apply to third level courses. Crumlin College graduates have progressed to successfully complete the BA in Visual Merchandising & Display in DIT. There is also the option to progress onto the QQI Level 6 course in Fashion Management in Crumlin College and this will appeal to students who wish to develop a career in the business, managerial and retailing side of the fashion industry while actively developing imagination and flair for design, buying and selling.

The dynamic and industry-focused courses offered by Crumlin College’s Fashion Department equip graduates with a well-rounded and practical skill-set desired by prospective employers in the fashion industry and prepares them for study at third level institutions.

Beauty The School of Beauty is located in a separate building in Captain’s Road, Crumlin.

Crumlin College offers a one or two-year Diploma in Beauty Therapy. The Diploma in Beauty Therapy includes accreditation from QQI, ITEC and CIDESCO. The course provides intensive practical and theoretical training in a various aspects of Beauty Therapy and leads to an internationally recognised qualification.

Successful applicants can attain employment as a beauty therapist in a broad range of industries including Cruise Liners, Beauty Salons and Health and Leisure centres.

Beauty and Retail Sales may be taken as a one year course at QQI

"The college has established close links with a network of professionals within the fashion industry and stu- dents benefit from visits by a variety of guest speakers"

Level 5 or a two year course at QQI Level 6. The course also includes ITEC accreditation in manicure, pedicure, make-up and beauty specialisations. Practical and theoretical knowledge is enhanced through work experience in the beauty and retail sector and through the running of pop-up salons within the college.

This course is also being revamped for 2021.

Prospective students will be able to complete the full complement of QQI modules, leading to an overall QQI Level 5 award in Retail Business, thus offering more employment and progression routes for graduates from this course.

Catering Students have the option of choosing the Culinary Arts (Professional Cookery) Programme or The National Traineeship in Professional Cookery.

The Culinary Arts (Professional Cookery) is a one year course at QQI Level 5 with the possibility to progress to a second year at QQI Level 6. Students get a solid grounding in the practical side of Culinary Arts and participate in a work experience programme which allows them to further hone the skills acquired in class.

On successful completion of the course, students may progress on to a range of higher certificate and degree courses in Institutes of Te c h n o l o g y o r U n i v e r s i t i e s .

Alternatively, they will have acquired the necessary skills to take up employment in a broad range of hospitality organisations, a sector of industry where suitably qualified applicants continue to be in high demand.

Crumlin College is just one of two colleges in Dublin offering the Commis Chefs Apprenticeship Programme. Run in conjunction with the Irish Hotels Federation, this is a 2 year programme for chefs who are already working in industry. A com-

Future bination of practical and theory based learning both on and off the job leads successful graduates to a Level 6 QQI Qualification in Culinary Arts.

New courses Crumlin College is always looking to introduce new and amended courses to offer our students a greater range of employment opportunities and links to Further and Higher Education. These are a few of the more recently added courses: Remote Working Essentials (with eBusiness) In order to prepare graduates for a career in the virtual workplace, this course offers prospective students an excellent opportunity to acquire and practice the cutting-edge E-Business and ICT (Information Communications Technology) applications skills essential in today’s online commercial world.

Students will study a range of computer modules, including E-Business Studies and Online Essential Tool. Successful graduates can aspire to a career in a wide range of online business and ICT-related fields or progress to similar studies in Higher Level institutions.

Accreditation is at QQI Level 5.

Pre-Degree Computing A QQI Level 5 course that prepares learners for entry into Level 7/8 Degree programmes in Information Technology at Higher Education Institutes. Students who successfully complete the course will have attained the necessary skills to enter the workforce as junior programmers or in IT systems supports roles.

Business Studies with Sports and Fitness This course combines both sports and fitness qualifications with business modules and prepares the learner for a number of employment or educational opportunities.

Students who successfully complete the course can seek

employment in areas such as sports marketing, sports development and fitness instruction. Alternatively, students may progress to Fitness Instruction and Personal Training Year 2 in the college or may progress to degree courses.

For information on these and all our courses and for a seamless application process, you can visit www.crumlincollege.ie and click on

the Apply Now link.

To access regular updates about Crumlin what’s happening at the college, College is always looking visit the home page of the website where there are links to all the social to introduce media platforms used. new courses Alternatively, you can call the colto offer our lege directly at 01 4540662 where students a member of our helpful team will greater be available to answer any queries opportunities you may have.

www.crumlincollege.ie Apply online

Beauty

Business & Administration

Culinary Arts

Tourism

Information Technology

Hairdressing

Fashion

Fitness & Sports Therapy

Tel/Fón: 01 454 0662 Crumlin College of Further Education, Crumlin Road, Dublin 12 Coláiste Breisoideachais Croimghlinne, Bóthar Croimghlinne, Baile Átha Cliath 12

Find us on

Education 55

National Framework LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 1) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Small Level 1 and 2 Certificates are designed to meet the needs of learners, both young and old, including those with intellectual and other disabilities, adults returning to training, and learners with few or no previous qualifications, including those within the workforce. These awards provide certification for learners who may progress to higher levels and also for those whose principal achievements rest at these levels. Each certificate comprises a number of components, most often in basic literacy and numeracy, which the learner can achieve at their own pace and accumulate over time towards one of the named certificates above.

QQI Award-Further Education & Training Award Awarded by: Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 2) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Medium Level 1 and 2 Certificates are designed to meet the needs of learners, both young and old, including those with intellectual and other disabilities, adults returning to training, and learners with few or no previous qualifications, including those within the workforce. These awards provide certification for learners who may progress to higher levels and also for those whose principal achievements rest at these levels. Each certificate comprises a number of components, most often in basic literacy and numeracy, which the learner can achieve at their own pace and accumulate over time towards one of the named certificates above.

QQI Award - Further Education and Training Award Awarded by: Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

56 Education

LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 3) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large The Level 3 Certificate enables learners to gain recognition for, specific personal skills, practical skills and knowledge, basic transferable skills, the enhancement of individual talents and qualities and achievements and learning relevant to a variety of progression options.

QQI Award - Further Education and Training Award Awarded by: Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

JUNIOR CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 3) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large The Junior Certificate is an award given to students who have successfully completed examinations from the junior cycle which is the first three years of secondary education.

The Junior Certificate may lead to progression to a programme leading to the Leaving Certificate or to a programme leading to a Level 4 Certificate, or at a higher level.

Awarded by: State Examinations Commission (Department of Education and Skills).

LEVEL 4 CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 4) Class of award-type: Major; Volume: Large The Level 4 Certificate enables learners to gain recognition for the achievement of vocational and personal skills, knowledge and understanding to specified standards, the enhancement of individual talents and qualities and the achievement and learning relevant to a variety of progression options, includ-

ing employment at an introductory vocational level, and programmes leading to a Level 5 Certificate.

QQI Award - Further Education and Training Award Awarded by: Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

LEVEL 5 CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 5) Class of award-type: Major; Volume: Large The Level 5 Certificate enables learners to develop a broad range of skills, which are vocationally specific and require a general theoretical understanding. They are enabled to work independently while subject to general direction. The majority of certificate/ module holders at Level 5 take up positions of employment. They are also deemed to meet the minimum entry requirements for a range of higher education institutions/programmes.

QQI Award - Further Education and Training Award Awarded by: Quality and Qualifications Ireland LEAVING CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 4 AND 5) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large Leaving Certificate and its various programmes is placed at Levels 4 and 5. It is the final course in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for some- students it takes place three years after the Junior Certificate Examination. This award may lead to progression to a programme leading to a further education and training award at Level 5 or at a higher level or to a higher education and training award at Level 6 or higher.

Awarded by: State Examinations Commission (Department of Education and Skills).

of Qualifications ADVANCED CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 6) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large An Advanced Certificate award enables learners to develop a comprehensive range of skills, which may be vocationally specific and/or of a general supervisory nature, and require detailed theoretical understanding.

Modules include advanced vocational/occupational skills, enabling certificate holders to work independently or progress to higher education and training. The majority of certificate/module holders at Level 6 take up positions of employment, some of whom may be self- employed.

QQI Award - Further Education and Training Award. Awarded by: Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

HIGHER CERTIFICATE (NFQ LEVEL 6) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large The Higher Certificate is normally awarded after completion of a programme of two years duration (120 ECTS credits). Entry to these programmes is generally for school leavers and those with equivalent qualifications.

A Certificate holder at this level may transfer to a programme on the next level of the framework.

Awarded by: Institutes of Technology, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and some Universities.

ORDINARY BACHELOR DEGREE (NFQ LEVEL 7) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large The Ordinary Bachelor Degree is normally awarded after completion of a programme of three years duration (180 ECTS credits).

Entry to a programme leading to an Ordinary Bachelor degree is typically for school leavers and those with equivalent qualifications. In addition, there are transfer arrangements in place across higher education and a number of programmes of one year duration leading to the Ordinary Bachelor Degree for holders of the Higher Certificate.

Awarded by: Institutes of Technology, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and Universities.

HONOURS BACHELOR DEGREE (NFQ LEVEL 8) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large The Honours Bachelor Degree is normally awarded following completion of a programme of three to four years duration (180-240 ECTS credits), although there are examples of longer programmes in areas such as architecture, dentistry and medicine.

Entry is generally for school leavers and those with equivalent qualifications. In addition, there are transfer arrangements across higher education, and a number of programmes of one year duration leading to Honours Bachelor Degrees for holders of the Ordinary Bachelor Degree. The Honours Bachelor Degree is a Bologna First Cycle qualification.

Awarded by: Institutes of Technology, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and Universities.

HIGHER DIPLOMA (NFQ LEVEL 8) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large The Higher Diploma is normally awarded following completion of a programme of one year duration (60 ECTS credits). Entry to a programme leading to a Higher Diploma is typically for holders of Honours Bachelor Degrees but can also be for holders of Ordinary Bachelor Degrees. It is of note that the Higher Diploma is typically in a different field of learning than the initial award. The Higher Diploma is a qualification at the same level as completion of the Bologna First Cycle.

Awarded by: Institutes of Technology, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and Universities.

MASTERS DEGREE (NFQ LEVEL 9) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large There are two types of Masters Degree in Ireland: taught Masters Degrees and research Masters Degrees. The taught Masters Degree is awarded following the completion of a programme of one to two years duration (60-120 ECTS credits). Entry to a programme leading to a taught Masters Degree is typically for holders of Honours Bachelor Degrees. In some cases, entry to such programmes can be permitted for those with Ordinary Bachelor Degrees or equivalent. Research Masters Degree programmes are typically of two years

REFERENCE GUIDE BRIEFING

duration (120 ECTS credits) though not all such programmes are credit rated. The Irish Masters Degree is compatible with completion of the Bologna Second Cycle.

Awarded by: Institutes of Technology, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and Universities..

POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA (NFQ LEVEL 9) Class of award-type: Major Volume: Large The Postgraduate Diploma is normally awarded following completion of a programme of one year duration (60 ECTS credits). Entry to a programme leading to a Postgraduate Diploma is typically for holders of Honours Bachelor Degrees but can also be for holders of Ordinary Bachelor Degrees.

The Post-graduate Diploma is an intermediate qualification within the Bologna Second Cycle.

Awarded by: Institutes of Technology, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and Universities.

DOCTORAL DEGREE (NFQ LEVEL 10) Class of award-type: Major; Volume: Large Possession of an Honours Bachelor Degree is normally required for entry to a doctoral programme. In some disciplines, a Masters Degree is also preferred. Normally those entering a doctoral programme with an Honours Bachelor Degree initially register for a research Masters Degree or provisional doctoral candidature. Upon successful completion of this initial stage, the candidate acquires full doctoral candidature. The Irish Doctoral Degree is compatible with completion of the Bologna Third Cycle.

Awarded by: Institutes of Technology, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and Universities.

HIGHER DOCTORATE (NFQ LEVEL 10) Class of award-type: Major; Volume: Large This award largely recognises excellent and distinguished contributions to learning. It may be used for career progression to advanced levels of academia and research.

This award is never based on a provider’s programme and, as such, is not subject to validation but is assessed by the awarding body for each individual provider. Normally, the learner already holds a first doctorate or equivalent for some period of time prior to becoming a candidate for the higher doctorate. The Irish Higher Doctorate is compatible with completion of the Bologna Third Cycle.

Awarded by: Institutes of Technology, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and Universities.

Education 57

COURSES FOR 2021/ 2022

Accounting Technician Apprenticeship (L6) Advanced Certificate in Accounting

Healthcare Support /Health Services Skills 5M4339/ 5M3782

Advanced Animal Science (L6) Animal Science- 6M5153

Journalism, Photography and New Media Journalism - 5M2464

Advanced Beauty Therapy & Make-Up Artistry Year 2

Laboratory Techniques NEW COURSE - 5M3807

Advanced Certificate in Audio/ Visual Media Production (L6) Advanced Certificate in Media Production - 6M5130

Legal Studies and Criminal Law- Legal Studies NEW COURSE - 5M3789

Advanced Certificate in Childcare (L6) Early Childhood Care and Education - 6M2007 Advanced Certificate in Social Care (L6) Social & Vocational Integration - 6M2218 Advanced Early Learning & Care NEW COURSE Advanced Special Needs Assistant (L6) Inclusive Education and Training 6M2263 Alternative Health & Well-Being Therapies Animal Care- Animal Care 5M2768 Applied Ecology NEW COURSE - 5M5028 Applied Psychology Community Health Service s - 5M4468 Applied Social Studies Applied Social Studies 5M2181 Art, Craft and Design Portfolio Art Craft Design -5M1984 Beauty Therapy Year 1 Business Studies Business Studies - 5M2102 Business with Legal Studies- Business Studies NEW COURSE - 5M2102 Canine Grooming Animal Care- 5M2768 Computer Systems and Networks 5M0536 Fitness and Health Sports and Recreation - 5M5146 Front Office Reception Skills with Tourism Tourism with Business - NEW COURSE 5M5011 Hairdressing Apprenticeship NEW COURSE Hairdressing & Barbering Year 1

Multimedia Production 5M2146 Nursing Studies 5M4349 Pharmacy Assistant - Community Health Services 5M4468 Photography and Digital Media Photography - 5M2094 Photography Advanced QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Photography - 6M3732 Pre Apprenticeship Programme NEW PROGRAMME Pre Third Level Arts General Studies- 5M3114 Retail Practice with Beauty Consultant NEW COURSE - 5M2105 Security Systems Technology Security Systems Technology - 5M2109 Sound Engineering and Music Technology Sound Production - 5M2149 Special Needs Assistant Intellectual Disability Practice - 5M1761 Sport, Recreation and Exercise 5M5146 Sports Therapy and Injury Management (L6) Sports and Recreation - 6M5147 Sports, Physical Fitness and Massage (L5) Sports and Recreation - 5M5146 Sustainable Construction Technology Construction Technology-5M5010 Tourism and Travel Industry Studies Tourism with Business - 5M5011 Youthwork QQI Level 5 Health and Welfare 5M4732 Adult Access/ VTOS Option 1: Social and Health Care Studies Option 2: Childcare and Youth Studies Option 3: Business Studies

Hairdressing & Barbering Year 2

Proud to be a WWETB College

58 Education

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WATERFORD COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION

BLACKROCK FURTHER EDUCATION INSTITUTE

Apply Online

Institiúid Bhreisoideachais na Carraige Duibhe

www.bfei.ie

BUSINESS AND LAW

Find the right pathway for you

Main Street, Blackrock Tel: 01 288 9717 Email: office@bfei.ie COMPUTING,

NETWORKS AND DIGITAL DESIGN

BEAUTY THERAPY, MAKE-UP AND HOLISTIC THERAPIES

DESIGN

COMMUNITY, EMERGENCY AND HEALTH CARE

View Courses/Apply On-Line

www.bfei.ie Education 59

Launch your beauty career WITH graduates including Suzanne Jackson, Rosie Connolly, Lyndsey Cavanagh, Michelle Regazzoli (Mrs Make Up) and Jennifer Rock (The Skin Nerd), to name but a few, Blackrock Further Education Institute (BFEI) is justifiable proud of the success of its beauty and make up graduates.

International awarding bodies, ITEC and CIDESCO, certify BFEI’s full time, one and two year courses, in a wide range of skill areas including Beauty Therapy, Nail Technician with Eyelash and Eyebrow Treatments, Holistic Therapies and Theatrical, Media and Fashion Make Up Artistry.

Excellent working knowledge Using professional product ranges and state-of-the-art equipment, students studying at BFEI will gain an excellent working knowledge of a range of treatments, and will learn the professional skills required for a successful career in this thriving industry.

We are proud of our long association with professional skin care company, Dermalogica, and honoured to have been selected as Ireland’s first Dermalogica School of Excellence, in 2019, receiving recognition for training our students in a simulated Salon environment to the highest standard using a wide range of Dermalogica products.

Students are also trained to use the Matis skincare range and are provided with an opportunity to compete in the Matis Student of the Year competition each year to win the opportunity to travel on an allexpenses paid trip to the exclusive Matis headquarters in Paris.

Holistic and Sports Massage Students on our Holistic and Sports Massage courses study for qualifications in Anatomy and Physiology, Holistic Body Massage, Reflexology, Nutrition, Sports 60 Education

"Students studying at BFEI will gain an excellent working knowledge of a range of treatments, and will learn the professional skills required for a successful career in this thriving industry"

Massage, Aromatherapy, Stone and On-Site Massage.

Our Theatrical, Media and Fashion Make Up Artistry course is well established, and we have over time, developed excellent relationships with employers including Inglot, Monroe Recruitment and Benefit Cosmetics. These companies recruit directly from BFEI assured of the quality of graduates who have undertaken a one year full time course.

The additional industry standard training provided to students on the course including training in Tanning, Advanced Special SFX, Drag training and hair styling including Up Styling, enhances graduates employment prospects.

Management roles In 2019, we launched a new one year, full time, course in Salon Management. This course is aimed at students who aspire to managem e n t ro l e s w i t h i n t h e b e a u t y industry.

"This new Course content includes managing initiative seeks clients, scheduling and managing to address the staff, marketing and promotion and current health and safety. This course will recruitment provide graduates with the necessary crisis in the skills and confidence to avail of a Beauty range of management employment Therapy opportunities in the industry. industry and will enable Erasmus opportunities BFEI graduates BFEI has been involved in to avail of the Erasmus+ mobility projects since many 2018. Students from our beauty employment therapy courses are provided with an opportunities opportunity to undertake a 3 week currently work experience placement in 4 and available in 5 star spas and salons in Tenerife, the Spa Spain, in March each year. industry" This year, for the first time, our Make Up students spent three weeks working with a designer in Tenerife to prepare for the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the largest carnivals in the word.

Funding is provided to students to cover the cost of flights, accommodation and living expenses, under Erasmus+, the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe and is coordinated by Ireland’s national agency Léargas. Students who have participated have improved both their technical and personal skills and have described it “the experience of a lifetime!”

Internship programme Exciting plans are currently underway to develop an internship programme for Beauty Therapy students in partnership with the Irish Spa Association. Second year beauty therapy students attending BFEI will be provided with an opportunity to work in a luxury Spa one day per week while continuing to attend College for the remaining four days to add to the portfolio of qualifications gained in first year.

This new initiative seeks to address the current recruitment crisis in the Beauty Therapy industry and will enable BFEI graduates to avail of the many employment opportunities currently available in the Spa industry.

There are many benefits to participating in an internship programme including providing students with valuable hands on experience that cannot be obtained in a classroom, increasing their confidence and providing an opportunity to develop and refine both practical and soft skills while networking with professionals in the beauty industry.

BFEI is delighted to be involved in this new initiative and we look forward to working with the Irish Spa Association and its partners to offer students the opportunity to participate in this new internship from September 2021.

Visit www.bfei.ie

Education 61

Services at Carlow ETB TRAINING Services at Kilkenny and Carlow ETB offer an extensive range of free full time training programmes for young people and adults who wish to develop the skills and competencies that are required for the workplace and/or progression to further education and training opportunities.

All of our courses lead to nationally and internationally industry recognised accreditation.

Furthermore, many of our courses lead directly into employment.

Traineeships A Traineeship is an occupational skills development programme which is designed to provide flexible training solutions to the identified needs of Irish industry and local businesses.

Traineeships gives participants the opportunity to develop cutting edge skills and knowledge on-the-job, making them more skilled, more employable and enhancing their career options and enables employers to access a pipeline of talent and learners.

Traineeships are structured learning programmes which lead to awards at NFQ levels 4-6. They are between 6-20 months in duration and learners will complete at least 30% of learning on the job.

For further information visit www.traineeship.ie Generation Apprenticeships The SOLAS Standards Based Apprenticeship is a system of employment focused training and 62 Education

education which enables an individual to obtain the knowledge, skills and competencies required to perform effectively as a craft person in industry.

It also enables the individual to progress through further education and training within the national framework of qualifications leading to a QQI level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate.

Apprenticeship has long been an accelerator for individual and corporate development in Ireland.

Generation Apprenticeship is a major expansion project to more than double the number of learners of all ages and backgrounds taking the apprenticeship route.

This promises to be a huge source of inspiration in opening apprenticeship into a full range of twenty-first century industries and skill sets.

SOLAS has the responsibility for promoting and overseeing the training and education of all the apprentices in the current 27 designated crafts.

A national standard is delivered for each craft based on the occupational analysis of that craft, written as key learning outcomes and structured in modular format.

New Apprenticeships New Apprenticeships are currently available and are being developed in conjunction with SOLAS and lead industrial consortia across a wide range of industries and sectors, some of which include New Apprenticeships will combine

The 27 designated crafts are as follows:

"All of our courses lead to nationally and internationally industry recognised accreditation.

Furthermore, many of our courses lead directly into employment"

• Agricultural Mechanics * • Aircraft Mechanics * • Brick and Stonelaying • Carpentry & Joinery • Construction Plant Fitting * • Electrical * • Electrical Instrumentation * • Electronic Security Systems * • Farriery • Floor & Wall Tiling * • Heavy Vehicle Mechanics * • Industrial Insulation • Instrumentation * • Metal Fabrication • Motor Mechanics* • Painting & Decorating * • Pipefitting • Plastering • Plumbing * • Print Media * • Refrigeration & Air Conditioning * • Stonecutting & Stonemasonry • Sheet Metalworking • Toolmaking • Vehicle Body Repairs * • Wood Manufacturing and Finishing • Mechanical Automation and Maintenance - MAMF * * A person wishing to become an apprentice in one of the trades marked * must pass a colour– vision test approved by SOLAS.

In Training Services we run traineeships in the following areas

Culinary Skills

Engineering

Hospitality

Professional Bus and Coach Driving

Software Developer

Van Delivery Driver

Healthcare Assistant

Office Administration

practical on-the-job learning in sponsor companies, with off-the-job training, which will be delivered by the ETBs and/ or recognised training and education providers. This will allow Apprentices to develop technical knowledge through formal qualifications, as well as key workplace skills and competencies through experiential learning.

The programmes will lead to QQI awards from level 5 to 9 on the NFQ. The duration of these apprenticeships will range from two to four years, depending on the chosen field of learning and the degree of difficulty involved in meeting the learning outcomes for the particular apprenticeship programme.

Community Training The community Training centres (CTC’s) provide training to early school leavers aged between 16 and 21 years, who are most in need of basic vocational training.

This training provision is divided between in centre learning and linked work experience. Courses lead to Major awards at QQI Level 3 and 4 or VTCT awards.

New Apprenticeships are currently available and are being developed in conjunction with SOLAS and lead industrial consortia across a wide range of industries and sectors, some of which include: • Accounting Technician, Level 6 • Industrial Electrical Engineer, Level 7 • Commis Chef, Levels 6 • Financial Services, Levels 6-8 • Insurance Practitioner, Level 8 • Manufacturing Engineer, Level 7 • Polymer Processing Technologist, Level 7 • Manufacturing Technician, Level 7 • ICT Network Engineer, Level 6 • ICT Software Developer, Level 6

Our Contact Details: Office: Training Services, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board, Unit 4 Danville Business Park Kilkenny 056 7813014

www.kcetbtraining.ie Training Centre: Unit K, IDA Business Park, Purcellsinch, Dublin Rd, Kilkenny 056 789456 Education 63

ETC Consult

Online career assessment WE have been asking our clients for 37 years to finish the following sentence: “I would love a job that………………”

The most common responses have been: ……would enable me to help others …...would allow me to use my strengths …...would be interesting …...would offer me a challenge …...would not be the same every day …...would pay well Our new, online Career Fit programme provides our clients with a personalised list of the jobs that will fit those criteria based on their individual mix of interests and aptitudes as well as unfolding job opportunities.

What is Career Fit? Career Fit is a scientifically-validated online career assessment created by ETC Consult. At ETC Consult, our Managing Director Pat Shortt and his team have 37 years of experience of using aptitude and interest assessments to help thousands of people find their ideal job and career.

If you are looking for a professional, accredited and inexpensive career guidance assessment to help you, or your students or your children to make the best career choice for them, then Career Fit is the optimal approach to take.

However, Career Fit not only tells our clients what jobs are right for them - it also describes them and advises on the best ways to get into them.

FIND OUT MORE: www.careerfit.com I www.etcconsult.com

64 Education

HEALTHCARE DEPARTMENT Social Studies/Social Care Youth and Community Work *New Applied Psychology Criminology and Psychology *New Childcare/Special Needs Assistant * Pre-University Nursing with Midwifery Option Health Care Assistant Pre-Paramedic Fire and Ambulance *New Physiotherapy Studies *New Occupational Therapy Studies *New Pharmacy Assistant

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Pre-University Science Pre-University Agricultural Science Pre-University Forensic Science *New Pre-University Environmental Science *New Pre-University Sports Science Pre-University Food Science-Nutrition, Health and Well-being *New Pre-University Animal Science *New *

ARTS / LAW /TEACHING DEPARTMENT Pre-University Arts Pre-University Liberal Arts Pre-University Teaching Pre-University Law Pre-University Business Law

COMPUTERS AND DESIGN DEPARTMENT

Software Development & Games Design *New Creative Digital Media Online Marketing/eBusiness Computer Systems and Networks Graphic Design Architectural Technology and Design *New Media and Film Production Music Performance Sound Production Art (Fine Art or Design/2D) *New Animation *New

SERVICES AND LEISURE DEPARTMENT

Airline Studies Beauty Therapy * Hairdressing * Professional Cookery * Sports Management and Coaching Sports Injury Prevention and Massage Therapy Animal Care & Grooming* Horsemanship and Equine Business * * Level 6 Option Offered

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT

Pre-University Business * Pre-University Business and Accounting *New Pre-Apprenticeship Banking, Insurance and Financial Services *New Legal and Medical Secretary/Office Administration Office Accounts Administration and Information Processing (Family Friendly Timetable) *New Journalism, Digital Media and Public Relations *New Tourism and Business *

ALL COURSES AT DUNBOYNE COLLEGE HAVE PROGRESSION LINKS TO UNIVERSITIES / INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER COLLEGES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY OR CAN LEAD TO AN ARRAY OF EXCITING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Contact: Dunboynecollege@Lmetb.ie or Phone 01-8026577

Education 65

Record graduate success for Dunboyne College OVER 900 students graduated this week from Dunboyne College in a unique graduation ceremony. The virtual online event took place as the record figures for graduate progression and employment were announced by the college.

Dunboyne College Principal Denis Leonard revealed that CAO figures show over 90% of students who graduated from Dunboyne College and applied for third level places received at least one offer.

Demand for places The Dunboyne Principal also announced that Dunboyne College is now among the top 5 largest colleges of further education in the country and the largest in the north east region. The demand for places at the college is out stripping supply.

Over 2530 students applied for 1000 places for 2020 entry. This is expected to continue in 2021 as new courses in Occupational Therapy, Software Development and Games Design, Animal Science and PreApprenticeship Banking, Insurance and Financial Services were announced.

The college has already accepted several hundred applicants for places in 2021. This figure is expected to grow with Virtual Open Evenings scheduled on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th January 2021 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

66 Education

Speaking in advance of the unique graduation ceremony Mr Leonard said that the college felt it was very important to celebrate the achievements of the graduates. “2020 was a very strange year for them, a graduating class always has reason to be proud. But this group of students have added reason.

"They adapted very quickly to online learning and achieved great success despite the disruption to their studies. As a college we felt it was more important than ever to honour the graduates of 2020 and their resilience in finishing out their course and progressing to Universities and Institutes of Technology and employment in such great numbers.”

Virtual ceremony Drawing on the skills of its Film and Media Production department the virtual ceremony was broadcast live to graduates and their families with an opening address by Mr Leonard, a summary of the student’s academic achievements and their journey thought the year from Deputy Principals Irene Togher and Emer Cloak as well as a special address from the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. In a series of three ceremonies the name of each graduating student was announced by the academic staff.

Mr Leonard revealed that

Dunboyne College is represented in nearly every third level college in the country from Dublin to Dundalk, Athlone to Galway, Waterford to Cork to Tralee.

In congratulating the graduating c l a s s o f 2 0 2 0 D e n i s L e o n a rd , Principal, Dunboyne College revealed the highest progression rates to universities and Institutes of Technology in the history of the Meath based college.

“Three hundred and seventy-four (374) students received honours degree Level 8 offers and two hundred and forty-eight 248 received a Level 7 ordinary degree offers. These figures do not include the many mature students who received early offers and those who took up offers in the UK for nursing, law or sports degrees.

"They adapted very quickly to online learning and achieved great success despite the disruption to their studies.

As a college we felt it was more important than ever to honour the graduates of 2020 and Strong progression their resilience "In addition to these students the in finishing out majority of the students who studied their course" on the vocational skills courses obtained employment, this is particular relevant in the service and leisure courses. The strong progression to direct employment must be noted too, as many students choose not to make a CAO application but to upskill with a chosen sector, thus enhancing their CV for future career opportunities.”

“Distance proved no barrier to Dunboyne College students. From

Nursing and Midwifery in Dundalk, to Sports Science in Carlow, to Bio-Veterinary Science in Athlone, to Sports Management in Waterford, to Environmental or Marine Science in Galway, to Arts in Cork or Forensic Investigation in Sligo, students travelled to access the exact course they wanted."

As usual some of our local universities had the bulk of the offers. In total there were 130 offers for Maynooth University with 75 students receiving offers for First Arts, while 10 were offered Social Science, 13 received offers of place for Science and 7 for computer science with 14 offers across a range of business course.

Growing university link The growing link between our pre-university law course saw 3 students receiving offers for law, with some students also offered places in psychology and early childhood studies.

32 students were offered places in DCU with 5 of these receiving offers for Nursing and 3 for Law. This is a remarkable achievement given the limited number of places available in N u r s i n g a c c o rd i n g t o t h e Dunboyne Principal.

28 students from Dunboyne College progressed to UCD (including nine into various science courses), while there are 14 students studying in Trinity College on courses ranging from Law to Dental Nursing.

T h e r e w e r e 7 o ff e r s o n courses in National College of Ireland and 5 for each of the National College of Art and Design and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology.

There were 92 offers of Level 8 places and 166 at Level places to Dunboyne graduates by the new TUD Dublin which comprises of DIT, IT Blanchardstown and Tallaght IT. The bulk of these were in Social Care, Business, Computer/IT courses, Pharmacy, Tourism, or Sports Management and Coaching, Other college offers include: • Dundalk Institute of Technology...27 • Athlone Institute of Technology...21 • Waterford Institute of Technology...11

"Dropout rates for students who do a level 5 QQI course are less than 3% on progression compared to up to 10% in universities and up to 33% on some third level courses for Leaving Cert entrants"

NOLAN COACHES

• Tralee Institute of Technology...7 • Carlow Institute of Technology and Carlow College...23 In addition, some students opted for private colleges with eleven offers for Dublin Business School in 2020 and five for Griffith College. Many students went to the UK this year to study nursing and many of other graduates attainted immediate employment in areas like childcare, sports, computers, health care, business, hair and beauty, tourism and professional cookery.

Flexible options Reflecting on the success of the students Mr Leonard said that the Dunboyne College sends more students to universities and Institutes of Technology than the majority of secondary schools in the country.

“The flexible options in Dunboyne allow students to sample various modules in September to make sure they are pursuing the correct course choice. Dropout rates for students who do a level 5 QQI course are less than 3% on progression compared to up to 10% in universities and up to 33% on some third level courses for leaving cert entrants.”

The Dunboyne Principal believes that the skills the students acquire will support them in their further studies. “As students also learn referencing, research and self-directed learning they tend to stay the full third level course afterwards, unlike many who go straight from leaving cert who are often not very sure of their options.”

Nolan Coaches is a family run business which now has three generations of experience in the coach hire business.

The business was founded in the 1940’s by Jimmy Nolan. Today the company is run by David Nolan, who has been running the operation since 1993.

Based just 5 minutes from Dublin Airport, Nolan Coaches provides quality Irish coach and bus hire services around the Dublin area.

Whatever your coach hire needs, from sports club to weddings to school day trips to private hire, Nolan Coaches will ensure your group has a great experience.

UNIT 18, BLOCK 5, PORT TUNNEL BUSINESS PARK, CLONSHAUGH, DUBLIN 17. D17 HW65

01 847 3487 info@nolancoaches.ie

www.nolancoaches.ie Education 67

School size

Reference Guide Briefing:

Small schools – here defined as schools with 4 mainstream class teachers or fewer – comprise a large proportion of primary schools in Ireland. 41.6 per cent of all schools in the 2020 academic year had 4 mainstream classes or fewer, although only 14.2 per cent of pupils were enrolled in small schools. While the number of small schools has been declining in recent years they nonetheless remain very prominent, particularly in rural areas, as illustrated in Map 2 over.

The education system in numbers

2012

2010

Small schools comprise the majority of primary schools in many parts of the west of Ireland, Figure 12 PRIMARY MainstreamSCHOOLS primary schools and pupils classifiedBY bySIZE size OF of school, 2010-2020 SMALL SCHOOLS AS PERCENTAGE OF ALL MAINSTREAM AND PUPILS CLASSIFIED SCHOOL, 2010-2020 while they are relatively rare in Dublin and its surrounding areas.

SCHOOL 2020 MapSCHOOLS 2 Small schoolsBY as percentage of allPLANNING schools by SchoolAREA, Planning Area, 2020

Schools

1,560

Pupils

94,147

Schools

2014

408,327

1,532

Pupils

1,620

94,125

Schools

424,632

1,477

Pupils 2016

1,605

1,660

90,452

Schools

446,295

1,404

Pupils

1,711

84,486

2018

School size Schools

465,714

1,370

Pupils

1,736

81,259

478,289

2020

Figure 19 illustrates the growing importance of large schools in the post-primary system.

WhileSchools small schools of all schools in 2010, this 1,294(less than 300 pupils) made up 30.7 per cent1,813 has dropped to 24.2 per cent in 2020, while the number of very large schools (800+ pupils) Pupils 72,474 480,529 has more than doubled (from 56 to 117).

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

CUMULATIVE CHANGES IN SCHOOL NUMBERS AND ENROLMENTS BY IRISH Table 1 Cumulative changes in school numbers and enrolment CLASSIFICATION, 2010-2020

The number of pupils attending small schools fell byMore 8,600 over this period, while the number 4 Class Teachers or Fewer than 4 Class Teachers Statistics Section, Department of Education of pupils attending large schools has increased from 53,255 to 112,854.

13

SECOND LEVEL SCHOOLS PUPILS

BY SCHOOL ENROLMENT SIZE,2010-2020 2010-2020 Source : Class Data levelAND Figure 19Size Second schools andCLASSIFIED pupils classified by school enrolment size,

Table 1 Cumulative changes in school numbers and enrolments by Irish classification, 2010-2020

12

Statistics Section, Department of Education

Source: Data on Individual Schools Class size

The change in average class size over the twenty-year peri Figure 3 and shows there has been little change since 2000 2020 at 23.3. The Pupil Teacher Ratio on the other hand ha same period, from 19.2 in 2000 to 14.5 in 2020.

Figure 3 Pupil/Teacher ratio and average clas

Source: Data on Individual Schools Class size

Source: Data on Individual Schools 68 Education

SOURCE: Statistical Bulletin – July 2021; Overview of Education 2000 – 2020; Department of Education

The change in average class size over the twenty-year period 2000-2020 is presented in Figure 3 and shows there has been little change since 2000. It reached its lowest point in 2020 at 23.3. The Pupil Teacher Ratio on the other hand has fallen consistently over the same period, from 19.2 in 2000 to 14.5 in 2020.

only decrease in enrolments over the ten years was in Dublin City and Cork City, which While average class size has varied little since 2000, the number of pupils in a fall of 1.4 and 0.8 per cent, respectively, while Fingal rose by 49.8 perthe centoverall and South classes of 35 or more fell sharply between 2000 (17,592) and 2020 (3,608) while those in n rose by 23.7 per cent. the next-largest category (30-34) stood at 74,622 in 2020, down from 120,665 in 2015.

Map 3 Percentage change in post-primary enrolments by county, 2010-2020

Figure 5 Pupils by class size, 2000-2020

PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN POST-PRIMARY ENROLMENTS BY COUNTY, 2010-2020

Primary

PUPILS BY CLASS SIZE, 2000-2020

Class size by type of school Variation in class sizes can be seen when we look at schools by characteristics such as Ethos, Irish Classification and DEIS Status.

olments

When examined by Ethos, the data shows that 14.8 per cent of pupils in Catholic schools olments in Primary schools in 2020 stood at 561,411, a fall of 6,305 on 2019 when were in classes of 30 pupils or more, compared with just 10.3 per cent of those in in multiwas 567,716. Over the twenty year period 2000 to 2020 there was an increase of denominational schools. However, the average class size in Catholic schools was 23.1, 27.7%) in enrolments in primary schools (mainstream and special) and enrolments compared 24.7of in school multi-denominational schools. Note: the category multiClass size with by type cted to fall over the coming fifteen years. Source: EDA42 denominational includes inter-denominational schools.

Variation in class sizes can be seen when we look at schools by characteristics such as Figure PupilsStatus. by class size and school ethos, 2020 Ethos, Irish Classification and6DEIS

by administrative county

change in enrolments by administrative county over the past 10 years is by Ethos, the data shows that 14.8 per cent of pupils in Catholic schools When examined , the data shows the largest proportional increases occurred within Dublin the or more, compared with just 10.3 per cent of those in in multiwere in classes ofand 30 pupils ng areas, with the highest in Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown atdenominational 23.0 per cent,schools. followedHowever, the average class size in Catholic schools was 23.1, at 21.0 percent and Meath at 16.9 per cent. The smallest increase comparedoccurred with 24.7inin multi-denominational schools. Note: the category multiSource: ED105 denominational includes %) and Mayo (0.4%), while Donegal and Clare were the only areas that saw a inter-denominational schools. by 2.0 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively.

Map 1 Percentage change in enrolments in Primary schools, by county, 2010-2020

ce: EDA69

PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN ENROLMENTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, BY COUNTY, 2010-2020

Figure 6BY Pupils by class size and school ethos,2020 2020 PUPILS CLASS SIZE AND SCHOOL ETHOS,

7

Statistics Section, Department of Education

Source: Class Size Data 2020 14

tics Section, Department of Education

When looked at by Irish classification the data shows 24.8 per cent of pupils were in large classes (30+) in Irish-medium schools outside the Gaeltacht, compared with only 13.6 per cent in English or part-English-medium schools and 10.9 per cent in Irish-medium schools within the Gaeltacht.

Source: Class Size Data 2020 7 Pupils by class size and Irish Classification, 2020 Figure

PUPILS BY CLASS SIZE AND IRISH CLASSIFICATION, 2020

When looked at by Irish classification the data shows 24.8 per cent of pupils were in large classes (30+) in Irish-medium schools outside the Gaeltacht, compared with only 13.6 per cent in English or part-English-medium schools and 10.9 per cent in Irish-medium schools Transition year within the Gaeltacht.

Figure 7 Pupils by class size and Irish Classification, 2020

Figure 15 shows the growing percentage of pupils who participate in TY by gender and DEIS status. More females than males consistently do TY, and uptake is lower in DEIS schools than in non-DEIS schools. However, there has been a small fall in TY participation in both school categories between 2019 and 2020.

DA57

POST-PRIMARY ENROLMENTS BY SCHOOL GENDER, BY SEX, 2020

Girls 37.8%

62.2%

Section, Department of Education

Source: Size Data Figure 15 Class Transition Year2020 as a % of previous Junior Cycle Year 3, by gender, by DEIS status, 2000TRANSITION YEAR AS A % OF PREVIOUS JUNIOR CYCLE YEAR 3, BY GENDER, BY DEIS STATUS, 2000-2020 2020

Statistics Section, Department of Education

Source: Class Size Data 2020

3

Boys

30.3%

69.7%

8

Statistics Section, Department of Education

8

Girls in single sex schools Girls in mixed sex schools Boys in single sex schools Boys in mixed sex schools

Source: EDA70

Education 69

Education REFERENCE GUIDE

Listings Careers Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 71 Government Departments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Government Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Education Institutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Education and Training Boards. . . . . . . . . . .73 Education Centres. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Careers Information AONTAS National Association of Adult Education 2nd Floor, 83/87 Main St, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. ☎ 01 4068220  www.aontas.com The Arts Council 70 Merrion Sq, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 6180200  www.artscouncil.ie Association of Advertisers in Ireland Ltd 120 - 121 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin D02 FD45. ☎ 01-6599457  www.aai.ie Association of Chartered Certified Accountants La Touche House, 1st Floor IFSC, Dublin 1.D01 R5P3. ☎ +44 (0)141 582 2000  www.accaglobal.com/ie Chambers of Commerce of Ireland 11 St Stephen's Green, D2 D02 FY84. ☎ 01 4004300  www.chambers.ie Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland 46 Merrion Sqr, Dublin D02 VF66. ☎ 01 6425588  www.acei.ie Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors 6th Floor, Phibsborough Tower, Dublin 7. ☎ 01 8303166  www.agsi.ie Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland 18 Herbert St, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin, D02 FK19. ☎ 01 874 8136  www.aoti.ie Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland Thomas MacDonagh House, Winetavern Street, Dublin D08 P9V6. ☎ 01 6040160  www.asti.ie An Bord Altranais 18/20 Carysfort Ave, Blackrock, Dublin. A94 R299 ☎ 01 6398500  www.nmbi.ie

70 Education

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport 1 Fitzwilliam Plc, Dublin 2.

D02 DT68 ☎ 01 6763188  www.cilt.ie Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Upper Floor Unit 11, 44 -45 The Seapoint Building, Clontarf Road. D03P 657. ☎ 087 2213443 cimaglobal.com/ireland Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development A3 The Locks, Charlotte Quay Dock, Dublin 4 ☎ 01 6780090  www.cipd.ie Computers in Education Society of Ireland c/o Drumcondra Education Centre, Drumcondra, D9.  www.cesi.ie Construction Industry Federation Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6. ☎ 01 4066000  www.cif.ie Design and Crafts Council of Ireland Castleyard, Kilkenny.

R95 CAA6 ☎ 056 7761804  dcci.ie Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies 10 Burlington Road, Dublin.

D04 C932. ☎ 01 6140100  www.dias.ie Dublin Adult Learning Centre 3 Mountjoy Square, D1. ☎ 01 8787266  www.dalc.ie Economic and Social Research Institute Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin D02 K138. ☎ 01 8632000  www.esri.ie Education Research Centre DCU St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. D09 AN2F. ☎ 01 8373789  www.erc.ie Engineers Ireland 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. D04 R3N2 ☎ 01 6651300  www.engineersireland.ie

Gorta Self Help Africa, 17 - 22 Parkgate Street, Dublin D08 NRP2 ☎ 01 6615522  www.selfhelpafrica.org

Institute of Public Administration 57/61 Lansdowne Rd, Dublin D04 TC62 ☎ 01 2403600  www.ipa.ie

Irish Fish Producers' Organisation 77 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin Docklands, D02 NP08. ☎ 01 6401850  www.ifpo.ie

Honourable Society of King’s Inn Henrietta Street, Dublin 1. ☎ 01 8744840  www.kingsinns.ie

Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering 8 S Circular Road, Saint Catherine's, Dublin. ☎ 01 5252527  www.iise.ie

Irish Institute of Training and Development 4 Sycamore House, Millennium Business Park, Naas, Co Kildare. W91 TF95 ☎ 045 881166  www.iitd.ie

Law Society of Ireland Blackhall Place, Dublin 7.

D07 VY24. ☎ 01 6724800  www.lawsociety.ie Accounting Technicians Ireland 47-49 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. D02 YN40 ☎ 01 649 8100 accountingtechniciansireland.ie Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland 12 Clanwilliam Square, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2. D02 CD51 ☎ 01 6765991  www.iapi.ie

Insurance Institute of Ireland Insurance Centre, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01 E7E8. ☎ 01 6456600  www.iii.ie Irish Association of Social Workers 114 Pearse St., Dublin 2. ☎ 086 024 1055  www.iasw.ie

Insurance Ireland Insurance Centre, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, DO1 E7E8 ☎ 01 676 1820  www.insuranceireland.eu Irish Management Institute Sandyford Road, Dublin 16. ☎ 01 2078400  www.imi.ie

Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland 38 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. D02 EV61 ☎ 01 6445500  www.scsi.ie

NewsBrands Ireland Clyde Lodge, 15 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. ☎ 01 668 9099  newsbrandsireland.ie

The Institute of Banking IFSC, 1 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1. D01 T8Y1 ☎ 01 6116500  www.iob.ie

Irish Congress of Trade Unions 31/32 Parnell Sq, Dublin 1. ☎ 01 8897777  www.ictu.ie

Irish Medical Organisation 10 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin D02 Y322 ☎ 01 6767273  www.imo.ie

Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland 17 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. D02 W963 ☎ 01 4251000  www.cpaireland.ie

Irish Council for International Students 41 Morehampton Road, Dublin 4. D04 AE28 ☎ 01 6605233  www.internationalstudents.ie

Irish National Teachers Organisation 35 Parnell Square, D1. ☎ 01 8047700  www.into.ie

Chartered Accountants Ireland Chartered Accountants House, 47 Pearse St, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 6377200  www.charteredaccountants.ie

Irish Dental Association Unit 2, Leopardstown Office Park, Sandyford, Dublin 18. ☎ 01 2950072  www.dentist.ie

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation The Whitworth Building, North Burnswick St, Dublin D07 NP8H ☎ 01 6640600  www.inmo.ie

Institute of Guidance Counsellors 17 Herbert Street, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 6761975  www.igc.ie

Irish Farmers Association Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. ☎ 01 4500266  www.ifa.ie

Irish Pharmacy Union Butterfield House, Butterfield Ave., Dublin 14. ☎ 01 4936401  www.ipu.ie

Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers 129 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 6785685  www.ipav.ie

Irish Recorded Music Association IRMA House, 1 Corrig Ave, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.  www.irma.ie

Irish Professional Photographers Association 38/39 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 401 6878  www.irishphotographers.com

Careers Information (cont) Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists College of Surgeons St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin. D02 H903 ☎ 01 4022148  www.iscp.ie Irish Taxation Institute South Block, Longboat Quay, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin. D02 H927 ☎ 01 6631700  www.taxinstitute.ie Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) Piper's Hill, Kilcullen Road, Naas, Co Kildare Phone: 045-901070 / 045-901698  www.etbi.ie Marketing Institute of Ireland South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18. D18 E659 ☎ 01 2952355  www.mii.ie

Meet in Ireland Amiens Street, Dublin 1. ☎ 01 884 7152  www.meetinireland.com The Olympic Federation of Ireland Olympic House, Harbour Rd, Howth, Co Dublin. D13 XK75 ☎ 01 8660555  www.olympics.ie Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland PSI House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2. D02 TD72 ☎ 01 2184000  www.thepsi.ie Irish Photographic Federation ✍ info@irishphoto.ie F: @irishphotofederation  www.irishphoto.ie

Public Relations Institute of Ireland 84 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. D02 T882 ☎ 01 6618004  www.prii.ie

The College of Progressive Education 38-40 Parliament Street, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 4884300  progressivecollege.ie

Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 6761703  www.riai.ie

Society of Actuaries in Ireland Clanwilliam House Clanwilliam Place Dublin D02 AV90 ☎ 01 634 0020  www.actuaries.ie

VECSI Student Cultural Exchange Association Scotsmans Rd, Monkstown, Cork. ☎ 0214841470  www.vecsi.com

Society of the Irish Motor Industry 5 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 6761690  www.simi.ie

Veterinary Ireland 13 The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Park, Nangor Road, Dublin 22. D22 XH05 ☎ 01 4577976  www.veterinaryireland.ie

Teachers Union of Ireland 73 Orwell Rd, Rathfarnham, Rathgar, Co. Dublin.

D06 YP89. ☎ 01 4922588  www.tui.ie

Vocations Ireland AMRI Office, c/o Missionaries of Africa, Cypress Grove Road, Templeogue, Dublin. D6W YV12 ☎ 01 260 3707  www.vocationsireland.com

Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marlborough St., D01 RC96 ☎ 01 889 6400  www.gov.ie/dfheris

Department of of Public Expenditure and Reform Upper Merrion St, Dublin D02 R583 ☎ 01 676 7571  www.per.gov.ie

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 23 Kildare Street, Dublin D02 TD30 ☎ 01 6313800  www.chg.gov.ie

Department of Health Block 1, Miesian Plaza, 5058 Lwr Baggot St, D02XW14 ☎ 01 6354000  www.gov.ie/health

Department of Rural and Community Development Trinity Point, 10-11 South Leinster Street , Dublin 2 , D02 EF85 ☎ 076 106 4900  www.gov.ie/drcd

Teagasc Oak Park, Carlow.

R93 XE12 ☎ 059 9170200  www.teagasc.ie Association of Optometrists Ireland Kevin Culliton Rooms, 13 Greenmount House, Harolds Cross Rd, Dublin 6W. ☎ 01 453 8850  www.aoi.ie

Union of Students in Ireland The Union of Students in Ireland, 14 Mount Street Upper, Dublin 2. D02 EY24. ☎ 01 7099300  www.usi.ie

Government Departments Dail Eireann Leinster House, Dublin D02 XR20 ☎ 01 6183000  www.oireachtas.ie

Dept of Education Marlborough St, Dublin D01 RC96 ☎ 01 8896400  www.education.ie

Dept of Agriculture, Food & the Marine Kildare Street. D02 WK12 ☎ 01 6072000  www.agriculture.gov.ie

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment 23 Kildare Street, Dublin D02 TD30 ☎ 01 6312121  enterprise.gov.ie

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 50-58 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2. D02 XWI4. ☎ 01 6473000  www.gov.ie Department of Defence Station Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. W12 AD93 ☎ 045 492000  www.defence.ie

Department of Finance Upper Merrion Street, Dublin D02 R583 ☎ 01 6767571  www.gov.ie/finance Department of Foreign Affairs Iveagh House, 80 St. Stephen’s Green, D02 VY53 ☎ 01 408 2000  dfa.ie

Department of the Taoiseach Upper Merrion Street, Dublin D02 R583 ☎ 01 6194000  www.taoiseach.gov.ie Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 TD30 ☎ 01 631 3800  www.gov.ie/dtcagsm

Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage Custom House, Dublin D01 W6X0 ☎ 01 8882000  www.housing.gov.ie

Department of Social Protection Store Street. Dublin 1. ☎ 01 7043000 gov.ie/welfareandwork

Department of Justice 51 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin D02 HK52 ☎ 01 6028202  www.justice.ie

Department of Environment, Climate & Communications 29/31 Adelaide Rd, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 6782000 /  www.gov.ie/decc

Garda Siochana Phoenix Park, Dublin D08 HN3X. ☎ 01 6660000  www.garda.ie

Ombudsman 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773 ☎ 01 639 5600  www.ombudsman.ie

Passport Office 42-47, Lower Mount Street, Dublin D02 TN83 ☎ 01 6711633  dfa.ie/passports

HEAnet 5 George’s Dock, IFSC, Dublin D01 X8N7 ☎ 01 6609040  www.heanet.ie

Ordnance Survey of Ireland Phoenix Park, Dublin D08 F6E4 ☎ 01 8025300  www.osi.ie

Irish Prison Service IDA Business Park, Ballinalee Road, Longford. ☎ 043-3335100  www.irishprisons.ie

Department of Transport Leeson Lane, Dublin D02TR60. ☎ 01 6707444  www.gov.ie/transport

Government Services An Bord Pleanála 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin D01 V902 ☎ 01 8588100  www.pleanala.ie

Courts Service of Ireland 15/24 Phoenix Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7. ☎ 01 8886000  www.courts.ie

Central Statistics Office Skehard Road, Cork.

T12 X00E ☎ 021 4535000  www.cso.ie

Data Protection Commissioner 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2.

D02 RD28  www.dataprotection.ie

Met Eireann Glasnevin Hill, Dublin D09 Y921 ☎ 01 8064200  www.met.ie

Office of Public Works Jonathan Swift Street, Trim, Co. Meath C15 NX36. ☎ 046 942 6000  www.opw.ie

Revenue Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 6792777  www.revenue.ie

Education 71

Educational Institutes in Ireland American College Dublin 2 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

D02 NH98 ☎ 01 676 8939  www.iamu.edu Athlone Institute of Technology Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. ☎ 090 6468000  www.ait.ie Burren College of Art Newtown Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. ☎ 065 7077200  www.burrencollege.ie Carlow College College Street, Carlow R93 A003 ☎ 059 9153200  www.carlowcollege.ie Cavan Institute Cathedral Rd, Drumalee, Cavan, H12 E426 ☎ 049 433 2633  www.cavaninstitute.ie Church of Ireland Theological Institute Braemor Park, Dublin D14 KX24 ☎ 01 492 3506  www.theologicalinstitute.ie DCU Church of Ireland Centre CIC Office, AHCDG09, Dunboyne House, DCU All Hallows. ☎ 01 700 6074  www.dcu.ie/ church-of-ireland-centre DCU Institute of Education DCU St. Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra, Co. Dublin. ☎ 01 884 2212  dcu.ie/instituteofeducation Dublin Business School 13-14 Aungier Street, Dublin D02 WC04 ☎ 01 4177500  www.dbs.ie Dublin City University Dublin 9. ☎ 01 7005000  www.dcu.ie Dundalk Institute of Technology Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth. A91 K584 ☎ 042 9370200  www.dkit.ie Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design & Technology IADT Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. A96 KH79 ☎ 01 2394000  www.iadt.ie

72 Education

Maynooth University Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education ☎ 01 474 7400  www.froebel.e

Milltown Institute of Theology & Philosophy Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.  milltown-institute.ie

St. Patrick’s College Maynooth, Co. Kildare W23 TW77 ☎ 01 7083600  www.maynoothcollege.ie

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Old Dublin Road, Galway H91 T8NW ☎ 091 753161  www.gmit.ie

Munster Technological University Cork Campus Bishopstown, Cork T12 P928 ☎ 021 4326100  www.mtu.ie

Shannon College of Hotel Management Shannon Airport, Co. Clare. ☎ 091 497200  www.shannoncollege.com

Griffith College Cork Mews House, 62 Wellington Rd, Montenotte, Cork, T23 P5PC. ☎ 021 4507027  www.griffith.ie/cork Griffith College Dublin South Circular Road, Dublin DO8 VO4N ☎ 01 4150400  www.griffith.ie/dublin Griffith College Limerick 3 Quinlan St, Limerick.

V94 DK23. ☎ 061-31 00 31  www.griffith.ie/limerick Hibernia College Block B, The Merrion Centre, Merrion Road, Dublin 4. ☎ 01 6610168  www.hiberniacollege.com Institute of Technology, Carlow Kilkenny Road, Carlow. ☎ 059 9175000  www.itcarlow.ie Institute of Technology, Sligo Ash Lane, Ballinode, Co. Sligo. F91 YW50 ☎ 071 9155222  www.itsligo.ie Letterkenny Institute of Technology Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. F92 FC93 ☎ 074 9186000  www.lyit.ie Limerick Institute of Technology Moylish Pk, Limerick. V94 EC5T ☎ 061 293000  www.lit.ie Marino Institute of Education Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9. ☎ 01 8057700  www.mie.ie

Munster Technological University Kerry Campus Tralee, Co Kerry V92 HD4V ☎ 066 7145600  www.mtu.ie MTU Cork School of Music Union Quay, Cork T12 E9HY ☎ 021 480 7310  csm.cit.ie MTU Crawford College of Art & Design Sharman, Crawford Sreet, Cork. ☎ 021 4335200  crawford.cit.ie National College of Art and Design 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8. D08 K521 ☎ 01 6364200  www.ncad.ie National College of Ireland (NCI) Mayor Street, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1. ☎ 01 4498500 www.ncirl.ie NUI Galway University Road, Galway H91 TK33 ☎ 091 524411  www.nuigalway.ie Portobello Institute 43 Dominick Street Lower, Dublin 1. ☎ 01 8920000  www.portobelloinstitute.ie Queens University Belfast University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN ☎ 0044 2890 245133  www.qub.ac.uk

Mary Immaculate College South Circular Road, Limerick. ☎ 061 204300  www.mic.ul.ie

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 123 St. Stephens Green Dublin 2. ☎ 01 4022100  www.rcsi.com

Maynooth University Maynooth, Co. Kildare. ☎ 01 7086000  www.maynoothuniversity.ie

St. Angela’s College Lough Gill, Sligo F91 C634 ☎ 071 9143580  www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie

Trinity College Dublin College Green, Dublin 2. D02 PN40 ☎ 01 8961000  www.tcd.ie Technological University Dublin Blanchardstown: 01 8851000 City Centre: 01 2205000 Tallaght: 01 4042000  www.tudublin.ie University College Cork College Road, Cork T12 K8AF ☎ 021 4903000  www.ucc.ie University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4. D04 V1W8 ☎ 01 7167777  www.ucd.ie University of Limerick National Technological Park, Limerick. V94 T9PX ☎ 061 202700  www.ul.ie University of Ulster Belfast/Coleraine/ Jordanstown/Magee York Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT15 1ED ☎ (048) 7012 3456  www.ulster.ac.uk Waterford Institute of Technology Cork Road, Waterford. X91 K0EK ☎ 051 302000  www.wit.ie OTHER INSTITUTIONS Open University in Ireland 2 Holles St, Saint Peter's, Dublin 2, D02 FP40 ☎ 01 678 5399  www.open.ac.uk/ republic-of-ireland St. Mary’s University College 191 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 6FE, ☎ 048 90327678  www.stmarys-belfast.ac.uk St. Nicholas Montessori College Block C, Century Court George’s Street Upper Dún Laoghaire. A96 R2V3. ☎ 01 230 0080  www.smsi.ie

The College of Progressive Education 38-40 Parliament Street, Dublin 2. ☎ 01 4884300  progressivecollege.ie Stranmillis University College Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5DY. ☎ (048) 90381271  www.stran.ac.uk BUSINESS COLLEGES UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business Belfield, Dublin 4 ☎ 01 716 4842  www.ucd.ie/quinn UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, A94 XF34 ☎ 01 716 8934  www.smurfitschool.ie DCU Ryan Academy Innovation Campus, DCU Alpha, Old Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 ☎ 01-7006786  www.ryanacademy.ie Kemmy Business School University of Limerick ☎ 061 202 700  www.ul.ie/business AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Enniskillen Campus, Co Fermanagh ☎ 028 6634 4853 Greenmount Campus, Co Antrim ☎ 028 9442 6601 Loughry Campus, Co Tyrone ☎ 028 8676 8101  www.cafre.ac.uk Teagasc - Ballyhaise College Ballyhaise, Co Cavan ☎ 01 4338108  www.teagasc.ie/ballyhaise Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture 191 Botanic Rd, Botanic, Dublin. D09 VY63. ☎ 01 804 0201  www.teagasc.ie/education/ teagasc-colleges/botanicgardens-college-ofhorticulture/ Teagasc - Clonakilty Agricultural College ☎ 023 883 2500  www.teagasc.ie/clonakilty Teagasc - Kildalton College Piltown, Co Kilkenny ☎ 051 644400  www.teagasc.ie/kildalton

Education and Training Boards Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) Piper's Hill, Kilcullen Road, Naas, Co Kildare. ☎ 045-901070 / 045-901698  www.etbi.ie Cavan & Monaghan Education & Training Board Market Street, Monaghan, H18 W449 ☎ 047 30888  www.cmetb.ie Cork Education & Training Board 21 Lavitt's Quay, Cork T12 HYT9 ☎ 021 4907100  www.corketb.ie City of Dublin Education & Training Board CDETB Administrative Offices, Town Hall, 1-3 Merrion Road Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. D04 PP46 ☎ 01 688 0614  www.cdetb.ie Donegal Education & Training Board Administrative Offices Ard O’Donnell Letterkenny. F92 DP98 ☎ 074 916 1600  www.donegaletb.ie

Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board 1 Tuansgate, Belgard Square East, Tallaght, Dublin 24. D24X62W ☎ 01 452 9600  www.ddletb.ie

Kilkenny & Carlow Education & Training Board Kilkenny Office 056 777 0966 Carlow Office ☎ 059 913 8560 HQ: Athy Road, Carlow.  www.kcetb.ie

Galway & Roscommon Education & Training Board Head Office - 091 874 500 County Galway Office ☎ 091 874 500 Roscommon Office ☎ 090 662 6151  galwayroscommon.etb.ie

Laois & Offaly Education & Training Board Laois Office Ridge Road, Portlaoise ☎ 057 862 1352 Offaly Office Castle Buildings, Tara Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly ☎ 057 934 9400  www.loetb.ie

Kerry Education & Training Board Centrepoint, John Joe Sheehy Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 P2FE ☎ 066 712 1488  www.kerryetb.ie Kildare & Wicklow Education & Training Board Kildare Office Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas. ☎ 045 988 000 Wicklow Office Church Street, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow ☎ 0404 60 500  kildarewicklow.etb.ie

Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board Limerick Office V94 HAC4 ☎ 061 442 100 Clare Office V95 D32F ☎ 065 682 8107  www.lcetb.ie Longford & Westmeath Education & Training Board Longford Office Longford, N39 YV90 ☎ 043 3334004 Westmeath Office Mullingar. N91 RW96 ☎ 044 934 8389  www.lwetb.ie

Louth & Meath Education & Training Board Dundalk Office Chapel Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth A91 C7D8 ☎ 042 933 4047 Meath Office Abbey Road, Navan.

C15 N67E ☎ 046 906 8200 HQ: Drogheda  www.lmetb.ie Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim Education & Training Board Mayo Office Administrative Offices, Newtown, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. F23 DV78 ☎ 094 902 4188 Sligo Office Quay Street Sligo. F91 XH96 ☎ 071 91 94800 Leitrim Office Administrative Offices, St. George’s Terrace, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

N41 W2X7 ☎ 071 96 21362  www.msletb.ie

Tipperary Education & Training Board Nenagh Office Office Church Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. E45 XD59 ☎ 067 31250 Clonmel Office Western Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. E91 WK13 ☎ 052 612 1067  tipperary.etb.ie Waterford & Wexford Education & Training Board HQ/Wexford Office Unit 1, Ardcavan Business Park, Wexford.

Y35 P9EA ☎ 053 912 3799 Waterford Sub Office WWETB Training Centre Waterford Industrial Park Cork Road Waterford X91 PX02 ☎ 051 301 500 Dungarvan Sub Office Dungarvan Shopping Centre, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

X35 DE93 ☎ 058 51401  waterfordwexford.etb.ie

Education Centres Athlone Education Centre Moydrum Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. N37 HO43 ☎ 090 6420400  athloneeducationcentre.com

Ionad Múinteoirí Chonamara Aird Thiar, Cárna, Conamara, Co. na Gaillimhe. ☎ 087 791 6876  www.imchonamara.com

Dublin West Education Centre Tallaght, Dublin 24.

D24 PX58 ☎ 01 4528000  www.dwec.ie

Limerick Education Centre Marshal House, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick. V94 HAC4 ☎ 061 585060  www.lec.ie

Tipperary Education Centre St. Patrick's College, Thurles. E41 C424. ☎ 086 - 6008860  www.tippec.ie

Blackrock Education Centre Kill Ave., Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. A96 EW01 ☎ 01 2365000  www.blackrockec.ie

Cork Education Support Centre Western Rd, Cork. T12 KC86 ☎ 021 4255600  www.cesc.ie

Galway Education Centre Wellpark, Galway. H91 R284 ☎ 091 745600  www.galwayec.ie

Mayo Education Centre Westport Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. F23HX48 ☎ 094 9020700  mayoeducationcentre.ie

Tralee Education Centre North Campus, Dromtacker, Tralee, Co Kerry. V92 HK52 ☎ 066 719 5000  www.edcentretralee.ie

Carlow Education Centre Kilkenny Road, Carlow.

R93 E1X3 ☎ 087 2079448  www.eccarlow.ie

Ionad Oideachas An Daingean An Chuillin, An Daingean, Co. Kerry. ☎ 066-9151866  iocdad@eircom.net

Ionad na Múinteoirí Ionad Oideachais Ghort a' Choirce Gort A Choirce, Leitir Ceanainn, Co. Dún na nGall. ☎ 074 9165556 ✉ inmr@eircom.net

Monaghan Education Centre Knockaconny, Armagh Road, Monaghan. H18 E890 ☎ 047 74000  www.metc.ie

Tuam Education Centre St Patrick’s Primary School Dublin Road, Co. Galway. ☎ 093 25877  www.tuamec.ie

Carrick-on-Shannon Education Centre, Marymount, Carrick-onShannon. N41 Y172 ☎ 071 9620383  www.carrickedcentre.ie

Donegal Education Centre Floor 2/3, Pier 1, Quay Street, Donegal. F94 A526 ☎ 074 9723487  www.donegaledcentre.ie

Kildare Education Centre Friary Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare. R51 KN66 ☎ 045 530200  www.eckildare.ie

Navan Education Centre Athlumney, Navan, Co. Meath. C15 RK03 ☎ 046 9067040  www.ecnavan.ie

Waterford Teachers' Centre Newtown Road, Waterford.

X91 XD98 ☎ 051 311000  www.wtc.ie

Cavan Education Centre Church View Square, Cavan. ☎ 049-4332259  www.cavanec.ie

Drumcondra Education Centre Dublin 9. D09 C4H3 ☎ 01 8576400  www.ecdrumcondra.ie

Kilkenny Education Centre Seville Lodge, Callan Road, Co. Kilkenny. R95 RH97 ☎ 056 7760200  www.eckilkenny.ie

Sligo Education Centre IT Sligo Campus, Ballinode, Sligo. F91 WFW9 ☎ 071 9138700  www.ecsligo.ie

West Cork Education Centre The Square, Dunmanway, Co Cork. P47 FH27 ☎ 023 - 8856757  westcorkeducationcentre.com

Clare Education Centre Government Buildings, Kilrush Rd, Ennis. V95 F782 ☎ 065 6845500  www.clareed.ie

Dundalk Education Centre 1 Brickfield Gdns, Newry Rd, Dundalk, Co. Louth. ☎ 086 7707400  www.dundalkec.ie

Laois Education Centre Block Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. R32 CP26 ☎ 057 8672400  www.laoisedcentre.ie

Tarbert Education Centre Comprehensive School, Tarbert, Kerry. V31 WD66 ☎ 069 60005  www.tarbertesc.ie

Wexford Education Centre Milehouse Road, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Y21 T271 ☎ 053 9239100  www.ecwexford.ie

Education 73

Reference Guide Briefing:

Calendars for 2021 and 2022 January 2021 M 4 11 T 5 12 W 6 13 T 7 14 F 1 8 15 S 2 9 16 S 3 10 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

May 2021 M 3 T 4 W 5 T 6 F 7 S 1 8 S 2 9

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

September 2021 M 6 13 20 T 7 14 21 W 1 8 15 22 T 2 9 16 23 F 3 10 17 24 S 4 11 18 25 S 5 12 19 26

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

February 2021 M 1 8 15 T 2 9 16 W 3 10 17 T 4 11 18 F 5 12 19 S 6 13 20 S 7 14 21

24 31 25 26 27 28 29 30

June 2021 M 7 T 1 8 W 2 9 T 3 10 F 4 11 S 5 12 S 6 13

27 28 29 30

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

March 2021 M 1 8 T 2 9 W 3 10 T 4 11 F 5 12 S 6 13 S 7 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 29 23 30 24 31 25 26 27 28

April 2021 M 5 T 6 W 7 T 1 8 F 2 9 S 3 10 S 4 11

21 28 22 29 23 30 24 25 26 27

July 2021 M 5 T 6 W 7 T 1 8 F 2 9 S 3 10 S 4 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

August 2021 M 2 9 16 T 3 10 17 W 4 11 18 T 5 12 19 F 6 13 20 S 7 14 21 S 1 8 15 22

October 2021 M 4 11 T 5 12 W 6 13 7 14 T F 1 8 15 S 2 9 16 S 3 10 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

November 2021 M 1 8 15 22 29 T 2 9 16 23 30 W 3 10 17 24 T 4 11 18 25 F 5 12 19 26 S 6 13 20 27 S 7 14 21 28

December 2021 M 6 13 20 T 7 14 21 W 1 8 15 22 T 2 9 16 23 F 3 10 17 24 S 4 11 18 25 S 5 12 19 26

27 28 29 30 31

April 2022 M 4 T 5 W 6 T 7 F 1 8 S 2 9 S 3 10

25 26 27 28 29 30

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

26 27 28 29 30 31

January 2022 M 3 10 T 4 11 W 5 12 T 6 13 F 7 14 S 1 8 15 S 2 9 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 31 25 26 27 28 29 30

February 2022 M 7 14 T 1 8 15 W 2 9 16 T 3 10 17 F 4 11 18 S 5 12 19 S 6 13 20

21 28 22 23 24 25 26 27

March 2022 M 7 T 1 8 W 2 9 T 3 10 F 4 11 S 5 12 S 6 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

May 2022 M 2 T 3 W 4 T 5 F 6 S 7 S 1 8

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 30 24 31 25 26 27 28 29

June 2022 M 6 T 7 W 1 8 T 2 9 F 3 10 S 4 11 S 5 12

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

July 2022 M 4 T 5 W 6 T 7 F 1 8 S 2 9 S 3 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

September 2022 M 5 12 19 T 6 13 20 W 7 14 21 T 1 8 15 22 F 2 9 16 23 S 3 10 17 24 S 4 11 18 25

74 Education

26 27 28 29 30

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

October 2022 M 3 10 17 T 4 11 18 W 5 12 19 T 6 13 20 F 7 14 21 S 1 8 15 22 S 2 9 16 23

27 28 29 30

24 31 25 26 27 28 29 30

November 2022 M 7 14 21 28 T 1 8 15 22 29 W 2 9 16 23 30 T 3 10 17 24 F 4 11 18 25 S 5 12 19 26 S 6 13 20 27

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

August 2022 M 1 8 15 T 2 9 16 W 3 10 17 T 4 11 18 F 5 12 19 S 6 13 20 S 7 14 21

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

23 30 24 31 25 26 27 28 29

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

22 29 23 30 24 31 25 26 27 28

December 2022 M 5 12 19 T 6 13 20 W 7 14 21 T 1 8 15 22 F 2 9 16 23 S 3 10 17 24 S 4 11 18 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

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