Special Needs Assistant (SNA)

FiveSpice

Hey everyone,

I am in my final year in my undergraduate course but I do not like it at all and am trying to figure out where to go with my life.

I would love to work with children so I considered primary teaching but the Hibernia course seems impossible to get into and I can't move to Limerick for the Mary I postgrad.

So I am thinking about doing a Special Needs Assistant course in Cork? As I said, I really would love to work in a primary school. I know the pay might not be great but to be honest that wouldn't bother me.

Only thing I would be worried about the recent cut backs in SNA so I don't want to waste another year or two doing a course if I can't get a job.

Has anyone done an SNA course recently or have any information for me?

Thanks

implausible

The majority of SNAs in my (secondary) school have a FETAC Level 5 qualification in Childcare. The course takes a year full-time and qualifies you to work in creches as well. The costs are less than E400 and your local VEC will have details.

The job prospects aren't great at the moment, however, with SNAs being let go in many schools.

byhookorbycrook

To be honest, there are far more trained SNAs than jo bs and it's likely to be that way for a long, long time.

Forrest_Gump

I am a qualified SNA with over 12 year experience. I have recently lost my job and am looking to do a course to fill my time and have something on my cv. Any suggestions??

TheDriver

Forrest- I thought the redeployment panel was set up for SNAs including redundancy?

There are a rake of SNAs out there who have no qualification other than a short SNA course whilst others have degrees in childcare and the like. It varies immensely and the minimum requirements for the job are pathetic!