Changes to BTEA June 2014.

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Below is the most recent update on changes to BTEA. Some positive things in it for a change.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D., has today announced (Thursday, 15th May 2014) a number of significant enhancements to the Back to Education Programme (BTE) which will take effect from 1st June 2014 for the forthcoming academic year.
The BTE programme is a second-chance education scheme for jobseekers, lone parents and people with disabilities who are getting certain social welfare payments. Under the programme, income support is provided to allow participants undertake a second-level or third-level course to improve their education and skills.

The enhancements now being rolled out will support the policies outlined in the Government’s Pathways to Work strategy, which seeks to help 75,000 long-term unemployed people return to work by the end of 2015.

The key enhancements being introduced include:

• Applicants wishing to pursue the new Professional Master’s in Education will be able to avail of the BTE programme;
• Applicants who already hold a Level 5 or 6 qualification under the National Framework of Qualifications will now be allowed to undertake further courses of study at either of these levels to further their professional/career development and their overall job prospects;
• Confirmation that applicants for the Department of Education’s Springboard and Momentum initiatives in the forthcoming academic year will be supported under the BTE programme; and
• Revised application and selection processes and a stronger role for the Department in working with unemployed clients who are considering undertaking a course of study.

Minister Burton said: “The enhancements I am now introducing will ensure that the BTE programme is better equipped to help jobseekers return to work. The changes will help in particular those jobseekers with good mid-range qualifications and will help them to complement and develop these skills and qualifications to access emerging job offers.”
The Department of Social Protection is providing income support under the BTE programme to nearly 25,000 jobseekers at various levels of education for the academic year 2013/14 at an estimated cost of €183 million, and plans to maintain this level of support for 2014/15.
“Economic recovery will present both opportunities and challenges to jobseekers and this will be particularly acute for those that have been longest out of the jobs market. Through a combination of supports across Government Departments, and the schemes offered by the Department of Social Protection, we want to ensure that jobseekers are equipped to meet these opportunities and challenges,” the Minister added.
“While we have made good progress in tackling unemployment, which has fallen from a crisis peak of 15.1% to 11.7% now, it remains too high, and we need to constantly improve our supports and services for jobseekers seeking to improve their skills. These enhancements to the BTE programme are part of an ongoing process to ensure that jobseekers have the skills to target the new jobs being created as the economic recovery begins to pick up pace.”
ENDS

Moomat

"Revised application and selection processes and a stronger role for the Department in working with unemployed clients who are considering undertaking a course of study."

I wonder what they mean by this?

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Moomat wrote: »

"Revised application and selection processes and a stronger role for the Department in working with unemployed clients who are considering undertaking a course of study."

I wonder what they mean by this?

I'm hoping it means that ESO's will have more flexibility in awarding the payment like they used to have. Wont hold my breath though...

Moomat

paperclip2 wrote: »

I'm hoping it means that ESO's will have more flexibility in awarding the payment like they used to have. Wont hold my breath though...

What is an ESO?

paperclip2

Employment Services Officers. In our neck of the woods they are the ones that meet clients and refer them on to further education / training.

Moomat

paperclip2 wrote: »

Employment Services Officers. In our neck of the woods they are the ones that meet clients and refer them on to further education / training.

Thanks. That would make much more sense. I suppose it could be awarded on merit rather than the ability to keep a social welfare payment for 9 months and get on a course.
I do find the current system a bit bizarre. For 3rd level for example there is almost a year of prep before you hopefully start your degree, researching courses, attending open days, making CAO application, attending interviews etc and all the while it's in the back of your mind that if can't get the BTEA then none of this will be possible. I'd imagine this encourages people to stay away from any type of employment pre entry for fear it might prevent them getting the BTEA.
It would be fantastic if after a period of unemployment, through liaising with your ESO you both decide that a return to education is the best route and they could guarantee your receipt of BTEA regardless of what you do in the meantime. Something like a scholarship I suppose.

paperclip2

It makes sense to look at what constitutes viable progression for an individual in terms of education and tailor required supports to that learner but traditionally our public funding for education tends to be more blunt instrument than surgical scalpel.

Anyhoo here's some more news from DSP: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2014-Press-Releases/PR14-05-19.html

mosii

just wondering,if you meet the criteria,is it difficult to get on btea,thanks

paperclip2

mosii wrote: »

just wondering,if you meet the criteria,is it difficult to get on btea,thanks

Not usually, although BTEA is described as a non-statutory payment that is awarded at the discretion of the deciding officer but if you meet the relevant criteria there shouldn't be a problem.

mosii

Ok thanks

Juicy432

Hey, Just have one question. I went back as a mature student last year and paid my fees by myself without getting any sort of grant, I've now finished my first year and I'm struggling to find to some work since the place I was working in closed down. Can I sign on for the summer? I can't find much on it anywhere...

mosii

Yes as far as I know,citizens info website will tell you,what age were you going back im 47 and planning to go down the same route,was it difficult to get.As far as I know they ask you are you planning to continue in btea,after the first year.

MyNameIsMethos

Juicy432 wrote: »

I've now finished my first year and I'm struggling to find to some work since the place I was working in closed down. Can I sign on for the summer?

I'd agree with Mosii about getting on to Citizens Information for the definitive answer but I'm pretty sure you may be caught in a wee loophole. As far as my knowledge goes, the only students who can sign on for the summer are those who were on BTEA for the previous academic year. I've heard it IS in theory possible to sign on in other cases, though you would have to state on your application that you have left the course. That being said, if you were found out then you would be liable to repay all payments given.


Get on to citizens info, or your local social welfare office: there may well be a scheme in place that is applicable. Otherwise, I would suggest a student loan to cover next year, coupled with applying to SUSI for whichever fees can be governmentally covered.

MyNameIsMethos

*Scratch that: matures can apply!

spygirl

are there any other links to information about these changes. was hoping to qualify for this scheme for september. Any changes in relation to qualifying periods????????

paperclip2

So far no changes to qualifying periods. The operational guidelines on the DSP website haven't been updated yet so the press release is the only info available as yet: http://www.welfare.ie/en/pressoffice/Pages/pr150514.aspx