Community Education

Adult Literacy Service

Workplace Basic Education / Return to Education

We can provide courses in all literacy areas that can help with basic workplace education. Our level 3 return to education programmes provide a steppingstone to further studies. Courses offered include: • QQI Level 3 -Introduction to

Childcare • QQI Level 3 -Employability Skills including Maths, Communications and Retail Skills • QQI Level 3 - General Learning including Personal Effectiveness,

Personal and Interpersonal Skills,

Career preparation, Planting and

Potting, Plant Propagation, Art and Design, Pyrography, Craft,

Sewing, Blowdrying, Basin Skills,

Woodwork, Drawing, Bread,

Pastry and Desserts, Nutrition and

Healthy Eating, Health and Fitness. • QQI Level 3 – Science and

Engineering, Electrical Skills,

Maths, Electronics

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is used to describe qualifications in the Irish education and training system.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

We provide English Classes to Speakers of Other Languages. Assessment is carried out prior to placement to ensure learners are placed in a suitable class. Levels offered include: • Absolute Beginners • Beginners • Elementary • Reading, Writing, Listening and

Speaking (QQI Level 2) • Pre-Intermediate • ESOL (QQI Level 3) • Communications (QQI Level 3)

Contact LOETB Adult Literacy

Laois Adult Literacy Service Ann Shields 085 8760327 ashields@loetb.ie LOETB Information Hub, Unit 1, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Offaly Adult Literacy Service Marina O’Malley 057 9349444 momalley@loetb.ie Tullamore FET Centre, Castle Buildings, Tara Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Community Training

Local Training Initiatives

Local Training Initiatives are community based training programmes funded under Youth Guarantee, hence trainees are primarily under 35 years of age. The duration of the programmes vary and a training allowance is paid while attending the programme. LOETB funds the programme providers such as Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC), Offaly Traveller Movement (OTM) and Youth Work Ireland Laois (YWIL). Currently there are two LTIs in operation – OLDC Skills for Employment in Edenderry and OTM Skills for Life in Tullamore. Further information on these courses may be found under the relevant areas in this brochure.

Community Training Centre

Tullamore Community Training Centre provides training for early school leavers aged primarily from 16 to 21 years. Currently programmes on offer include VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Hair and Beauty Services, VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Barbering Studies, QQI Level 3 Major Award in Employability Skills, VTCT Level 2 Diploma in Hospitality and Professional Cookery, QQI Level 4 Major Award in Pathways to Employment (Childcare) and QQI Level 3 Major Award in Engineering and Woodcraft. Further information on these courses may be found under the relevant areas in this brochure.

Specialist Training Providers (National Learning Network)

Providers (STPs) primarily cater for unemployed people with disabilities, in receipt of a disability payment, or those who are deemed to require the additional supports that only an STP can provide. The duration of programmes vary depending on need. Courses offered include Kick Start (General, Retail Skills, Office Skills and Catering), Employer Based Training and Transitions in NLN Portlaoise and Employer Based Training, Fresh Start, Office Technology Skills, Sport and Recreation and Transitions in NLN Tullamore. Further information on these courses may be found in the relevant areas in this brochure.

LOETB funds and monitors the community training provision across Laois and Offaly.

For information on any community training programme, please contact: Emma Gilchreest on 085 856 4557 • Email: egilchreest@loetb.ie