Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Hi everyone... just gotten my email to say I have been accepted into the Springboard that I applied for

I am trying not to get my hopes up just yet because it honestly sounds too good to be true...

I have a part time job (in retail) that I've had for over a year. Worked through COVID etc. It says 'dept. of education will pay 90% of fees for those in employment' and so I will be liable for 10% - is this true?? The course has nothing to do with my retail job. Does it only matter that I am employed? Or does it have to be a job within the field of the course??

I presume if they have accepted me they have checked all of this out, since I gave my PPS number and details of the job. But I don't want to believe it yet...

Would you mind telling us what college you applied to just to get an idea of which ones are making progress through the applications

FFVII wrote: »

Pity one can't get in as mature student on most of these.

I didn't meet the requirements on any of the ones I was after.

I stay in the my **** job.

There's no age issue for any of these courses.

There are academic requirements (L7/L8) though and failing that you need to show previous experience, ie. an RPEL, in lieu of your lack of academic qualifications.

Irish_peppa wrote: »

What is the difference between a "Springboard" Course and a "Fetch" Course?
Are they aimed at different
Employment sectors?
Ages?
Past education History?
The only difference i see are the stock photos on the Fetch home page are of older more mature looking people and the site itself is very business like, whereas springboard is all colorful fun colors and bright so im guessing fetch is for older people plus 30 that never went to college or career change and springboard for people under 30 ?

https://springboardcourses.ie/
https://www.fetchcourses.ie/

Springboard are courses run by Universities/ITs to a much higher level then fetch. The purpose is to upskill people in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy. It is not for under 30's, it is for people of all ages. Based on my own experience, the majority would be 35-45. This will be extended by HCI Pillar 1 where full 1 year courses will be available enabling people to meet entry requirements where they did not have them before for 3rd level courses e.g. someone lacking maths for an Engineering Masters.

Springboard and HCI Pillar 1 are very much about career change.

Fetch is not run by Universities. They would not deliver material to as high a standard as Universities. Where Universities are level 7-9, I suspect Fetch is 3-5. They have apprenticeships, traineeships and more basic and fundamental courses compared to Springboard.

I would suspect the students to be older in Fetch.

Irish_peppa wrote: »

What is the difference between a "Springboard" Course and a "Fetch" Course?
Are they aimed at different
Employment sectors?
Ages?
Past education History?
The only difference i see are the stock photos on the Fetch home page are of older more mature looking people and the site itself is very business like, whereas springboard is all colorful fun colors and bright so im guessing fetch is for older people plus 30 that never went to college or career change and springboard for people under 30 ?

https://springboardcourses.ie/
https://www.fetchcourses.ie/

Fetch courses just looks like a centralised hub for Solas (FÁS), FET colleges and ETBs. Essentially doing what Nightcourses does.

"Fetchcourses.ie was developed by SOLAS, the Further Education & Training Authority, in partnership with Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and other Further Education and Training providers"

Springboard on the other hand is a scheme provided by various educational institutions both public and private to increase learning and upskilling in areas deemed to be of direct value to the economy and Irish jobs market.

Age has nothing to do with either of them as a selection criterion. Well, ignoring that you have to be over 16 to enter FET, which I assume we all are if looking at this. They're both there to help people upskill or even just re-enter education but at potentially different levels/points of entry.

Got an offer this evening from NUIG, the course deadline was 31st July fyi

tritium wrote: »

Has anyone gotten offers from NCI yet? Finding them maddeningly slow even after trying to contact them directly.

No. They are the worst college I have ever dealt with ever, from an administrative POV. And I've been to DIT (twice) and BCFE in my time.

Constantly asking for the same documentation over and over again. It's been a nightmare.

I have a place confirmed in CCT and Maynooth for Hdip in Data Analytics. But was holding out for NCI given their blended option suited me better, but I dread to think what they're like from a "learning" pov given they can't open document batches properly.

My mate did the same course the last 2 years PT and had awful hassle with inept course management. I think I'm gonna pass and accept one of the other 2 tbh. Life's too short and college is hard enough with the added stress of that.

bennyx_o wrote: »

I got accepted to the Certificate in Computer Programming in DCU on Friday evening

Applied for this too as my first choice and didn't hear anything until yesterday looking for more info. Hopefully that's a good sign, thought since they offered it to others two weeks ago I didn't get it.

I am living in Scotland and being made redundany from September 25th.
I want to start a course on my return, at the moment I can't apply as unemplyoed.

I am trying to find the full Critera, to apply as employed.

From what I can find you need to be resident for 3 of 5 years in EU/UK etc.
Living in Ireland on the date the course starts.

I am looking for the full terms relevant for me as I am getting told I'm not eligble, anybody got the full list so I can check and argue my case?

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

THanks yeah had applied to a couple of courses and waiting to hear back, hopefully the collages are helpful, as a person being made redundant next month I would be the intended target student!
Waiting till I go home and get a job/sign on would leave me not able to apply till the January batch. Fingers crossed!

What courses have you applied to?

I'd suspect allowances could be made if there was places on the course available. I'd contact the college running the course and see could they put in a good word.

Seen as your living and working in the UK the last 8 years, I can understand why you might be told no chance too.