Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

himself there · 21-06-2022 05:35PM

If you applied on the basis of being employed but leave your job before the course starts, will that come back to bite you in any way?

No intention of claiming benefits or anything but just might be out out of work around August for a course that starts in September.

TallGlass2 · 21-06-2022 05:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119231790#Comment_119231790

You might just need to get some stuff signed off by the current role say your in employement etc.. more than anything else.

himself there · 21-06-2022 05:50PM

But if I'm in employment and verify that at present via payslip but then I am no longer in employment when it starts will that affect my gov funding?

My feeling is it shouldn't as I will pay the 10% fee and not go on welfare during it.

zep · 21-06-2022 06:52PM

If you read the site you will see that it will affect you.....

It's open to those in employment or on a social payment only, do if you don't claim social and leave your job, you're not covered to do the course.

zep · 21-06-2022 06:53PM

...

zep · 22-06-2022 08:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119210371#Comment_119210371

Why are you so negative about Sligo. A lot of people could benefit from a basic handy course that covers the basics, is not over taxing and leads to a qualification. At the end of the day this could be what helps someone get a fooy in the door, they will develop skills on the job.

Also Sligo are linked with Nibrt so that's great for pharma industry jobs.

I did a Sligo course a long time ago and found them excellent.

FFVII · 22-06-2022 05:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119233486#Comment_119233486

I did one aswell. I wouldn't again.

mp3ireland2 · 22-06-2022 08:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119231866#Comment_119231866

I switchedjobs during it so at the start had a letter of employment for working on the farm for my dad and then after 1st term we had to show proof again (I think) in December or January I showed a payslip from a pharma job. I can't remember if I had to submit something this time to verify or just tick a box.

zep · 26-06-2022 10:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119250358#Comment_119250358

And it's also prudent to get more than one opinion, I for one can recommend Sligo IT for their Engineering and Pharmaceutical courses.

Perhaps the course for your industry was sub-standard but that does not relate to the college as a whole.

Berty · 26-06-2022 11:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119231866#Comment_119231866

I've done 2 springboard courses back to back and just applied for my 3rd, and final course, before I'd have to wait two years before trying again.

Anyway on my most recent one I did lose my job but in each of the courses, one being AIT and the other UL I had to resubmit my details in January to prove my continued ability to be funded. I was told by UL and Springboard after being made redundant that both employed and unemployed are suitable so that if I am still unemployed when the second Semester check was done that I would be fine. I was back in employment by that time.

For those wondering if it's worth it I now have a Diploma from AIT(TUS) and a Degree from UL and so far I've only paid abour €400 in total(besides some books I needed to buy). Well worth it

Esse85 · 26-06-2022 01:17PM

Nice one Berty, thought I read on here a person could only do one course rather than multiple courses. Sounds like that's a myth so.

For anyone reading and considering doing a course, just remember that not all courses are created equally, it's very possible that you could do a course and be fit for nothing at the end of it. Choose the course wisely, do you see yourself working in that industry going forwards, don't just pick a course for the sake of it. Research the course, what are the job prospects like, see can you find people on LinkedIn who did the course previously, are they where you want to be etc.

fast_eddie · 26-06-2022 10:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119251956#Comment_119251956

Limited to one course at a time, and a maximum of 3 courses in a 5 year period IIRC...

Berty · 27-06-2022 11:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119254836#Comment_119254836

This is correct, one at a time. I often assume people using Springboard would have known this.

As soon as you accept one course all the others become "User Cancelled" and you are prevented from applying to others until your course becomes "CompleteSuccessful". I'm unsure if you fail if you are allowed take another course until you either repeat and then pass or repeat and then fail. I had to ask UL myself to manually mark mine as CompleteSucessful so I could apply for another course as the deadline was fast approaching to apply.

Berty · 27-06-2022 03:27PM

As I was accepted by AIT onto my course I noticed this bit of details which may help others:

Also please note if your employment status changes between now and the start of September, please do reach out to us and we can assist you in determining your continued eligibility. Failure to do this could result in your funding not being available to you, and you may be liable for the full fee of €4500.

questionmark · 02-07-2022 07:02AM

Anyone have any insight into Data Visualisation ? In particular the course in Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design & Technology

https://springboardcourses.ie/details/10029

Berty · 05-07-2022 11:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119292450#Comment_119292450

Here is the thing, you have to support your evidence of employment/unemployment in Mid August so might be difficult as they only accept recent payslips and the like. You have to do it again around January as well.

Berty · 07-07-2022 02:12PM

I don't really know. My first thought was doing a balancing statement in January(in 2023 or 2024) trying to get reduction based on education allowances, the revenue system might get confused by having a funded course and you trying to claim fees on a non funded course.

I would say that, although I considered this myself doing two courses at the same time(Springboard+ and non springboard), I'm glad I didn't. The workload from AIT for a 60credit course was fairly heavy.

sibersha · 09-07-2022 08:52PM

Anyone any experience with the Diploma in Applied Data Technologies in LYIT/ATU Donegal?

richsull · 10-07-2022 02:01PM

I have an offer from NCI for the L9 online PostGrad in Data Analytics. Has anyone here done this course? If so, would you consider it worthwhile and/or sufficiently in-depth?

NeoRox · 10-07-2022 02:26PM

Anybody got any experience of Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation through Design Thinking in UCC ?

https://springboardcourses.ie/details/10001

Officer Giggles · 15-07-2022 02:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119303556#Comment_119303556

I was entering my second year of a self funded non springboard course when I signed up for a springboard course. Never caused any problems other than your own workload.

15-07-2022 02:44PM

Any recommendations for something online only or a course I could do without having to give up work, although with the way things are going I could be out of a job if we go into recession this year.

The highest level of qualification I have is a level 5 ideally I'd love to upskill and get out of the hospitality industry.

Danye · 15-07-2022 03:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119341583#Comment_119341583

What are you interested in?

Go to Springboard and see if there’s anything that you like.

Much more enjoyable when doing something your interested in than doing something for the sake of doing it.

Esse85 · 15-07-2022 06:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119341583#Comment_119341583

How could anybody recommend you a course knowing nothing about you, sounds like you're too lazy to go do your own research.

15-07-2022 10:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119342514#Comment_119342514

Or just tired/wiped out/burnt out/

You haven't a clue.

Or you might be right.

Esse85 · 16-07-2022 07:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119343468#Comment_119343468

I know it's ridiculous asking strangers on an internet forum to recommend a course to someone.

And if "burnt out", don't add a course to your workload.

xElDeeX · 16-07-2022 08:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119341583#Comment_119341583

Many springboard courses are part time and remote or have a series of Saturday seminars or similar. I wouldn't worry about finding a course structure to suit you. Really have a good think about what it is you want to do and what you enjoy doing in your own job or have an aptitude for first.

Clareman · 16-07-2022 11:36AM

Part time courses are designed around working people, all the lectures are recorded if you can't attend and the content is online (Blackboard or Moodle), most do continous assessment as well. I've done 3 courses (1 was the July stimulus) and it was all remote learning.

Clareman · 16-07-2022 11:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119341583#Comment_119341583

My recommendation would be to do a course you have an interest in, if you don't have an interest and you're just doing it because you want to do a course you'll either find it hard going, you'll fail or you'll drop out. Get something you'd be interested in and do it, ideally a 1 year course, don't worry too much about the levels, once you get used to the learning structure you can do another course afterwards.

Nemanrio · 22-07-2022 02:08PM

My application is still in a pending status, has anyone been accepted yet? I am looking to do a biopharma course with ATU/IT Sligo.

Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

Comments

Anyone have any insight into Data Visualisation ? In particular the course in Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design & Technology