Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

fast_eddie · 26-08-2020 6:44pm

Greentree_uk wrote: »

just email so far.

Same here - got a "Successful application" email from Springboard, and have accepted in the Springboard dashboard. Status for this course has changed to "Accepted" and other applications are "UserCancelled" - but nothing received on paper as yet...

RunRoryRun · 26-08-2020 7:59pm

tritium wrote: »

Awesome, some of these courses are going to have their own little boards gang at this stage. In terms of delivery It’s listed as blended which would mix online and class but there’s no timetable available for this year yet as far as I can see. Hoping that it’s largely online for the first while at least tbh.

It’s 3 semesters with the first semester fully online due to covid. Will see if that changes from January.

bleuhh · 26-08-2020 9:17pm

RunRoryRun wrote: »

It’s 3 semesters with the first semester fully online due to covid. Will see if that changes from January.

Thanks RunRoryRun - good to know that's the case for the moment.

Juicyfruit · 27-08-2020 2:53pm

JohnButler wrote: »

Hi, has anyone any experience with AIT springboard courses? I accepted course and registered last week, got my Student number and haven't been able to do much else since.
Access to the student logins don't seem to be operational yet.
Also the registration email said to upload photo for student ID but i haven't been able to find the right place on their site to carry this out yet.

Have tried phoning a few times but no answer yet.

Still, excited and looking forward to getting going!

Hi,
I accepted a course in AIT too, did you officially register and update all your details through the AIT website by logging in with your student number and password from email?
After that I don’t think there’s much else to do for now!
I also have no clue where to upload my picture for student ID!

kilburn · 27-08-2020 3:12pm

Anyone get bumped up from reserves

Zeuss · 27-08-2020 4:08pm

Hi, Just wondering if in receipt of Covid-19 PUP can I apply for ICT course with springboard? The Pup payment is not a qualifying DEASP payment , therefore are any courses level 8 which I can enroll under PUP? Thanks

Jet Black · 28-08-2020 10:02am

Zeuss wrote: »

Hi, Just wondering if in receipt of Covid-19 PUP can I apply for ICT course with springboard? The Pup payment is not a qualifying DEASP payment , therefore are any courses level 8 which I can enroll under PUP? Thanks

I applied for a level 8 in DCU and I'm on PUP.

un5byh7sqpd2x0 · 28-08-2020 10:40am

Jet Black wrote: »

I applied for a level 8 in DCU and I'm on PUP.

You need to come off PUP after accepting an offer though - any level. DEASP won’t allow anyone on PUP complete a Springboard course.

mp3ireland2 · 28-08-2020 10:59am

Israel Tinkling Simulator wrote: »

You need to come off PUP after accepting an offer though - any level. DEASP won’t allow anyone on PUP complete a Springboard course.

Am I missing something as the below is on the website? So as understand you'd have to pay 10% as you are considered employed?

If you are getting COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment you will be required to pay 10% of the course fee to the course provider

Esse85 · 28-08-2020 11:13am

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Am I missing something as the below is on the website? So as understand you'd have to pay 10% as you are considered employed?

If you are getting COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment you will be required to pay 10% of the course fee to the course provider

Does it depend whether your course is full time or part time too?

Zeuss · 28-08-2020 11:39am

it is very confusing and complicated on the same time, being in PUP you can't apply for a course......total nonsense, I thought the springboard is designed mainly for unemployed people who are looking for job or upskilling to get into the job market, seems that employed people have more chances to enroll on the courses than unemployed people. Can you close PUP or transfer to a different payment like JSB? How you do that, this is not a simple procedure and you need to be assessed for JSB/JSA -very confusing and unfortunate for people who are on PUP.

BonnieSituation · 28-08-2020 1:22pm

Zeuss wrote: »

it is very confusing and complicated on the same time, being in PUP you can't apply for a course......total nonsense, I thought the springboard is designed mainly for unemployed people who are looking for job or upskilling to get into the job market, seems that employed people have more chances to enroll on the courses than unemployed people. Can you close PUP or transfer to a different payment like JSB? How you do that, this is not a simple procedure and you need to be assessed for JSB/JSA -very confusing and unfortunate for people who are on PUP.

JB isn't means tested. If you were working the last year pre-covid you should be okay.

Best to contact your local Intreo office.

You can also apply for JB online and go from there as well.

---

Having a quick look at PUP status - though it's not very clear - it's not an eligible payment because you are not a "jobseeker" per se. So you should be eligible to apply for Springboard courses that are otherwise available for employed people. That's how I would proceed anyway.

Zeuss · 28-08-2020 1:45pm

Thanks Boonie, I already contacted the local Intreo office and they confirmed the same, PUP is not a approved DSEAP payment. Why? not sure....considering the exceptional circumstances we are in this should be approached differently and take in consideration exceptional conditions for unemployed people who lost the job due the Covid-19. Nobody should be left out just because of confusing rules and poor administration of the policy, basically you are not entitled to enroll and accept a course under PUP. Looks like Springboard si following DEASP rules and if you are in JSB you can apply for the courses. There should be more options to choose for people in this situation. Even if I want to transfer to JSB I will need to have nine months on a DEASP payment by the 28th September to qualify for the course, this is total nonsense.

28-08-2020 1:48pm

Found out about this last week and applied for a ton of courses. Got offers for 3 today... not sure which to go for

kilburn · 28-08-2020 1:49pm

Deleted User wrote:

Found out about this last week and applied for a ton of courses. Got offers for 3 today... not sure which to go for

Well done what did you go for

28-08-2020 2:38pm

kilburn wrote: »

Well done what did you go for

Well saying I applied for a ton is an exaggeration. Didn't think I'd be asked to list them all :pac:

Post Graduate Diploma in Big Data Management and Analytics [PGDBD-2021]Griffith College

Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity [TBC]Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Cyber Security [PGDCYB_SEP]National College of Ireland

Graduate Certificate in Management of Information Systems Strategy [MISSFC]Dublin City University

Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Interactive Media [PGADM-2021]Griffith College

Got an offer on the first 3. I decided to apply for as many as possible and work back from whatever I get an offer in. I wasn't sure if I'd get an offer at all so late in the game. I keep changing my mind.

What a great service though at 1/10 of the cost.

Blizzard · 28-08-2020 4:58pm

That's great partyjungle! I applied for about five courses as well and got three acceptances but not at the same time, so I declined the first acceptance, was unsuccessful on another and was then crossing fingers and toes that my first or second choice would come up, and they did thankfully - so I was able to pick my first choice in the end. Hope everyone else here gets good news too as it is a great service.

patspost · 28-08-2020 6:31pm

I have accepted a course in LIT, via Springboard but have no further communication from Lit.

Has anyone else accepted a lit course.
Have you received email from lit?

bennyx_o · 28-08-2020 7:36pm

patspost wrote: »

I have accepted a course in LIT, via Springboard but have no further communication from Lit.

Has anyone else accepted a lit course.
Have you received email from lit?

I wouldn't worry too much about it yet. I accepted with Sligo at the start of the month and they said they would be in contact at the end of August or start of September regarding enrolment and payment.

Away With The Fairies · 28-08-2020 10:52pm

I got offered my first choice. It will be a year of hard work but what else will be doing.

Skidfingers · 28-08-2020 10:55pm

bennyx_o wrote: »

I wouldn't worry too much about it yet. I accepted with Sligo at the start of the month and they said they would be in contact at the end of August or start of September regarding enrolment and payment.

I got an email on Monday from Sligo IT about registration. I’m set up now.

bennyx_o · 28-08-2020 11:10pm

Skidfingers wrote: »

I got an email on Monday from Sligo IT about registration. I’m set up now.

Hopefully won't be much longer for me, not going to panic just yet

BonnieSituation · 28-08-2020 11:14pm

Zeuss wrote: »

Thanks Boonie, I already contacted the local Intreo office and they confirmed the same, PUP is not a approved DSEAP payment. Why? not sure....considering the exceptional circumstances we are in this should be approached differently and take in consideration exceptional conditions for unemployed people who lost the job due the Covid-19. Nobody should be left out just because of confusing rules and poor administration of the policy, basically you are not entitled to enroll and accept a course under PUP. Looks like Springboard si following DEASP rules and if you are in JSB you can apply for the courses. There should be more options to choose for people in this situation. Even if I want to transfer to JSB I will need to have nine months on a DEASP payment by the 28th September to qualify for the course, this is total nonsense.

You're not approaching this from the right angle.

It's not that you're on an "non-DEASP payment", it's that PUP while a DEASP payment, it is an "ineligible DEASP payment", ie. Itis NOT a jobseeker's payment.

You are not a jobseeker) and thus is ineligible for any courses for which jobseeker's are eligible.

As you have a status of being still "in employment", you are however likely to be eligible for any course that those in employment can apply for.

Eg. I applied for the 2 year PT HDip in Data Analytics in Athlone IT but only those in employment could apply. So my application was cancelled. You however, would be eligible to apply for this course.

Here's the response I received; this should clear things up from your POV:

Athlone IT wrote:

Hi BonnieSituation,

Unfortunately your application for the Part-time Higher Diploma in Analytics has been unsuccessful, as those on Jobseekers payments are not eligible. Below is the reason (taken from www.springboardcourses.ie ), and you can find further details here https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility

In relation to the two-year part-time ICT Conversion courses, those who are in receipt of a Jobseekers payment, or a Farm Assist payment, or a Qualified Adults of Working Age payment are not eligible for these two-year courses.

Yours,

Janine King

I hope that clears it up for you.

morchgally · 29-08-2020 10:23am

patspost wrote: »

I have accepted a course in LIT, via Springboard but have no further communication from Lit.

Has anyone else accepted a lit course.
Have you received email from lit?

Yes I accepted an LIT course. Received an email from the Springboard section yesterday with the following:

"This programme will commence on the XX XXXX 2020 and we will be in contact with you shortly with your student number, timetable, login details etc.

For now, please officially accept your offer via your Springboard+ personal account and bear with us; you will receive more detailed information within a couple of weeks"

I'm sure they will be in touch with you shortly. IF not, try sending them an email as they had been responsive in the past.

roro1990 · 29-08-2020 10:43am

I applied via Springboard for a postgrad diploma in Cybersecurity but I'm second guessing myself now after I saw a detailed post on reddit saying you need solid coding skills to get a job in that field (I have zero coding skills beyond basic SQL queries).

un5byh7sqpd2x0 · 29-08-2020 10:53am

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Am I missing something as the below is on the website? So as understand you'd have to pay 10% as you are considered employed?

If you are getting COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment you will be required to pay 10% of the course fee to the course provider

Aye, this is also on the eligibility page:

“People in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) can apply for a Springboard+ part-time course. The fee will be waived for these applicants. It is however the responsibility of the applicant in receipt of a PUP payment to discuss retaining a DEASP payment with their case officer in their local INTREO office when their offer is accepted and before they complete first registration for the course through www.springboardcourses.ie“;

And this or similar is what you’ll get back from INTREO:

“It has been advised that those in receipt of PUP who apply for part time Springboard courses can only retain a weekly welfare payment if they transfer to a qualifying payment. This is to ensure that these applications will have an alternative source of income on cessation of PUP.”

MrsBean · 29-08-2020 11:10am

I applied for two Policy courses in DCU and last week was told my applications were unsuccessful. I emailed to ask if it failed on eligibility grounds or whatever just so I'd know for future. They replied saying my application was 'strong' but they had a large number of applications this year. No indication of a waiting list. Anyone know what the likelihood is of a second round offer if some of those accepted drop out or do something else? Or am I holding on to false hope?

py · 29-08-2020 12:03pm

roro1990 wrote: »

I applied via Springboard for a postgrad diploma in Cybersecurity but I'm second guessing myself now after I saw a detailed post on reddit saying you need solid coding skills to get a job in that field (I have zero coding skills beyond basic SQL queries).

I wouldn't discount it just yet. There's a wide variety of areas within Cybersecurity such as privacy, risk etc. where you wouldn't need coding skills. They're something you can learn anyway. Don't give up before you start

mp3ireland2 · 31-08-2020 4:40pm

Got the Bill from NIBRT today for 10%, was looking forward to getting this invoice as meant all had got to plan!

Skidfingers · 31-08-2020 4:57pm

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Got the Bill from NIBRT today for 10%, was looking forward to getting this invoice as meant all had got to plan!

When did you do your online registration?

oopsies · 01-09-2020 11:09am

Anyone know much about the Digital Marketing Institute?
I got accepted onto their Postgrad Level 9 program, but wondering if its worth it? Or maybe Id be better looking into CIM...?

mp3ireland2 · 01-09-2020 1:02pm

Skidfingers wrote: »

When did you do your online registration?

Last Monday, Aug 24th, so got invoice a week later

onrail · 01-09-2020 4:42pm

Has anyone completed, or is anyone completing the HDip in Science in Data Analytics in NCI (Blended - 1 year) while working a full-time job?

I've been accepted to the course (subject to me confirming), but having second thoughts as to how feasible it is to complete well while working full time with a young child.

Also wonder what the likelihood is of there being actual classroom sessions this year? I've applied with the hope that all will continue to be delivered fully online, as I live about 90 mins from the campus.

Skidfingers · 02-09-2020 8:05pm

If you decide to drop out/don’t pass the course/decide you don’t like the course, will government come looking for the amount they paid?

kilburn · 02-09-2020 8:12pm

Skidfingers wrote:

If you decide to drop out/donâ€™t pass the course/decide you donâ€™t like the course, will government come looking for the amount they paid?

To be honest if you have doubts don't take the place lots of people on waiting lists who would miss out if people drop out after starting.

Just make sure you pass at a minimum easier said that done I know.

Officer Giggles · 02-09-2020 8:18pm

Skidfingers wrote: »

If you decide to drop out/don’t pass the course/decide you don’t like the course, will government come looking for the amount they paid?

No but you will be prevented from using springboard for a number of years. You can withdraw an offer you have accepted before the course starts and apply for any other course that is still taking applications.

Skidfingers · 02-09-2020 8:21pm

Officer Giggles wrote: »

No but you will be prevented from using springboard for a number of years. You can withdraw an offer you have accepted before the course starts and apply for any other course that is still taking applications.

I’m happy to take this course And I think I’ll enjoy it, but I just want to ensure incase there’s a slim chance I don’t like it or feel it.

Vetch · 02-09-2020 8:33pm

Did anyone get an invoice from NUIG? I got an email last week saying an invoice would be sent shortly and was to be paid by 4 Sept. No sign of it though.

kilburn · 02-09-2020 8:36pm

Vetch wrote:

Did anyone get an invoice from NUIG? I got an email last week saying an invoice would be sent shortly and was to be paid by 4 Sept. No sign of it though.

Not yet but when I do will let you know

tv3tg4 · 02-09-2020 8:51pm

Officer Giggles wrote: »

. You can withdraw an offer you have accepted before the course starts and apply for any other course that is still taking applications.

They added a course the other day that I am interested. I have already accepted another course.

I'll see.

Esse85 · 02-09-2020 9:18pm

Skidfingers wrote: »

If you decide to drop out/don’t pass the course/decide you don’t like the course, will government come looking for the amount they paid?

No they won't.
I'm sure there's 101 reasons you can come up with that sound genuine.

I'm also sure the drop out rate is quiet high given that people get the course for free or only pay 10%, therefore they don't value it or commit to it as much as they would if they were paying the full amount themselves.

If after a couple of months the course isn't as described and you feel it's not gonna benefit you, then by all means pull out and save your time.

cefh17 · 02-09-2020 9:28pm

Vetch wrote: »

Did anyone get an invoice from NUIG? I got an email last week saying an invoice would be sent shortly and was to be paid by 4 Sept. No sign of it though.

I haven't heard a thing since the initial email from NUIG back at the start of August yet registration were supposed to be open at the end of Aug

Blizzard · 02-09-2020 10:08pm

cefh17 wrote: »

I haven't heard a thing since the initial email from NUIG back at the start of August yet registration were supposed to be open at the end of Aug

I contacted the course coordinator at NUIG on 26 August enquiring about same and was told this about my course: "Course commences in October, details still to be finalised. I will be in touch in the coming weeks."

bennyx_o · 02-09-2020 10:10pm

Still waiting to hear from Sligo regarding payment etc. Did say it would be late August or start or September when I accepted the course

kenyard · 03-09-2020 10:44am

I have a start end of September.
Got an email Tuesday with details.
It says I have payment due but when I login to pay it says there's a balance of 0.
If you are in October I'd wait a week or 2 yet. Looks like 3-4 weeks notice

tritium · 03-09-2020 11:26am

onrail wrote: »

Has anyone completed, or is anyone completing the HDip in Science in Data Analytics in NCI (Blended - 1 year) while working a full-time job?

I've been accepted to the course (subject to me confirming), but having second thoughts as to how feasible it is to complete well while working full time with a young child.

Also wonder what the likelihood is of there being actual classroom sessions this year? I've applied with the hope that all will continue to be delivered fully online, as I live about 90 mins from the campus.

Its doable but its hard work. I've done evening college pre-kids with a lot of dads and mums who were going back. We were all fitting it around work.. It definitely was harder for them in terms of making time than it was for anyone who didn't have those responsibilities. That said, most of them had a organised approach and managed fine.

I wouldn't let that concern hold you back tbh. There'll always be something that makes it difficult but the upside to completing a good qualification makes it worth the effort. I'm figuring on my side its going to be a lot of hours and hard work (signed up for the postgrad diploma in NCI) but hopefully it will give me something pretty valuable at the end and so is worth doing

DK man · 03-09-2020 11:36am

Gadge wrote: »

Anyone here doing science in computing 2 year PT in TU Dublin Blanch? Need to get a rival gang going

Hi Gadge - I'll join your gang

Blanch rocks!

shanec1928 · 03-09-2020 11:49am

bennyx_o wrote: »

Still waiting to hear from Sligo regarding payment etc. Did say it would be late August or start or September when I accepted the course

likewise, emailed admissions about it and received a vague in the next few weeks type answer.

bennyx_o · 03-09-2020 12:02pm

They had an online event a few weeks ago and said registration for online courses was happening and would continue right up until 28th, but also said induction would be the week preceeding 28th September - would assume any online Springboard courses fall into this category also

onrail · 03-09-2020 2:07pm

tritium wrote: »

Its doable but its hard work. I've done evening college pre-kids with a lot of dads and mums who were going back. We were all fitting it around work.. It definitely was harder for them in terms of making time than it was for anyone who didn't have those responsibilities. That said, most of them had a organised approach and managed fine.

I wouldn't let that concern hold you back tbh. There'll always be something that makes it difficult but the upside to completing a good qualification makes it worth the effort. I'm figuring on my side its going to be a lot of hours and hard work (signed up for the postgrad diploma in NCI) but hopefully it will give me something pretty valuable at the end and so is worth doing

Excellent thanks! I can’t find mention anywhere of how many hours of ‘autonomous learning’ are recommended in addition to lecture time? That might swing it for me

Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

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