Free courses under Government Initiative for unemployed
Regardless of where they live people from across the country can enroll in one of the 12 courses available at IT Sligo through the Government Initiative ‘Springboard’ – formally launched this week – because all the courses are taught online.
The Springboard Initiative is targeted at those who were previously working but lost their jobs or were made redundant and who, with some up skilling, could fill current or future job shortages. The initiative will allow those who undertake the courses to retain their benefits and, if they find a job, they will still be permitted and encouraged to finish their course.
IT Sligo is recognized as the national leader in online education and, with lectures delivered in real time in a ‘virtual classroom’ environment, students can enjoy the same quality interaction with their lecturers and classmates.
The Institute won the ‘Best in eLearning’ category of this year’s Digital Media Awards for its novel approach to online teaching of engineering laboratories. This technology is available on a number of the courses on offer through the Springboard Initiative, and provides students with on-demand access to remote laboratories.
Springboard Coordinator at IT Sligo, Brian Mulligan, said that online offerings from IT Sligo present a valuable opportunity for people all over the country to up skill; “Very little computer literacy is required to take up an online course and I would encourage anyone who has an interest in one of our courses, and is eligible to take part in the Springboard Initiative, to apply for a place.”
Induction days are provided and, while not mandatory, they offer students a good opportunity to meet with their lecturers and classmates before starting the course. “Should students be fortunate enough to be offered a job while doing one of our courses they also have the added advantage of being able to complete the course while taking up employment, because they’re not tied to a location,” he added.
Sean Keller from Lucan in Dublin has just completed a BEng Electronic Engineering online; “I’ve worked in electronic engineering for 20 years but I never got around to doing an honours degree. I’ve just finished the BEng Electronic Engineering (Level 8) online with IT Sligo and I found the standard of the course and the technology to be second to none.”
Forty-year old Sean studied from his home in Dublin but enjoyed a good working relationship with his lecturers and classmates; “I studied from home but the atmosphere online was just like a classroom, a really interactive classroom. Learning about the latest systems and technologies has been extremely beneficial and I’d recommend learning online to anyone.”
Launching the Springboard Initiative, The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, TD said; “We have a very talented workforce, but the loss of employment in traditional sectors such as construction, manufacturing and retail has meant that many of these qualified and experienced people are now out of work. At the same time, we know that there are skills shortages in certain areas. By providing focused up-skilling and retraining programmes, such as those offered through Springboard, we can match those vacancies with a newly re-skilled workforce and get people back to work.”
“To make it easier to apply for these places, a single web portal for all Springboard related activities is being used – BlueBrick.ie. It will operate as a kind of mini-CAO for the Springboard courses, but without the pressure of the points system.”
Named ‘Most Improved Institute’ in the Sunday Times University Guide 2011, IT Sligo has a lot to offer students in this initiative – regardless of where in Ireland they are located. For a full list of courses available online at IT Sligo see www.itsligo.ie/online
Courses available under Springboard Inititative:
The online courses available at IT Sligo through the Springboard Initiative are as follows: Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics; BSc (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Science; BSc in Construction Management; BSc in Environmental Management; Certificate in Automation & Instrumentation/Certificate in Electronics; Certificate in LEAN Sigma Quality; Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering ; BEng (Honours) in Electronic Engineering; BEng in Polymer Processing; BSc in Manufacturing Management; Higher Certificate in Environmental Management; and a Post-graduate Diploma in Environmental Protection.
Image above: Springboard Coordinator at IT Sligo, Brian Mulligan, demonstrates delivering an online lecture. All of the 12 courses available at IT Sligo through the Springboard Scheme are taught online.
Image caption (top of page): Dr Billy Fitzgerald, Head of Department of Environmental Science and Brian Mulligan, Springboard Co-ordinator, IT Sligo pictured with Dr Mark Glynn from BlueBrick.ie at the launch of Springboard.