Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

un5byh7sqpd2x0 · 04-07-2020 5:58pm

FrDougal wrote: »

Hi Guys,

In December 2018, I was advised by a course provider that Springboard will only pay your fee for an additional course if the NFQ level of that course is greater than that of the course that you previously attended.

If you wish to do multiple courses for free, you will need to complete them in ascending order of NFQ level.

(The NFQ level is listed in the bottom left hand corner of course description. Advise is as of December 2018. I am late to join this thread. Apologies if already covered)

The course provider who told you that was mistaken.

https://springboardcourses.ie/pdfs/Guidelines%20on%20applications%20from%20previous%20Springboard%20participants%202020.pdf

This is it · 04-07-2020 6:05pm

It may have changed since 2014 but it was the case back then that you must be moving up a level, not completing the same or a lower level on the NFQ.

manor · 04-07-2020 7:45pm

I agree, best thing I have every done, hard work for 1 year, Higher Diploma, great job at the the end because of it

CBear1993 · 04-07-2020 7:52pm

manor wrote: »

I agree, best thing I have every done, hard work for 1 year, Higher Diploma, great job at the the end because of it

What did you do it in? Was it a new field to you?

Part time or full time...

theboss80 · 06-07-2020 9:23am

CBear1993 wrote: »

Anyone competed -

L9 Postgraduate Certificate in BIM and Lean Construction Management through IT Sligo (1 year)
https://www.itsligo.ie/courses/certificate-bim-lean-construction-management-online/

OR

L9 Postgraduate Certificate in BIM Technologies through TU Dublin (1 year)
https://springboardcourses.ie/details/8270

??

I've applied for the L8 BIM in AIT

sugarman20 · 06-07-2020 9:27am

Does anyone know if your are on the Covid-19 emergency payment what proof can you provide? They are asking for proof of eligibility.

Away With The Fairies · 06-07-2020 9:30am

sugarman20 wrote: »

Does anyone know if your are on the Covid-19 emergency payment what proof can you provide? They are asking for proof of eligibility.

This is what I'm stuck on.

I should be getting my first payment tomorrow and I can order a payment statement online on the mywelfare website. Another poster has said nothing showed up on their payment statement for a month though, so not sure what to use if nothing shows up.

Mickeroo · 06-07-2020 9:38am

Israel Tinkling Simulator wrote: »

The course provider who told you that was mistaken.

https://springboardcourses.ie/pdfs/Guidelines%20on%20applications%20from%20previous%20Springboard%20participants%202020.pdf

This is it wrote: »

It may have changed since 2014 but it was the case back then that you must be moving up a level, not completing the same or a lower level on the NFQ.

Am I reading that right in that if I did a masters previously through springboard for example, I can't do a lower level diploma through it now but it's fine if I did a masters outside of springboard?

Officer Giggles · 06-07-2020 11:54am

I don't think that is the case anymore.

If you get a major award at level 8, you are supposed to leave a year gap before you do a level 9 course.

I don't see anything in the current rules about not being able to go down a level.

This is it · 06-07-2020 12:03pm

Mickeroo wrote: »

Am I reading that right in that if I did a masters previously through springboard for example, I can't do a lower level diploma through it now but it's fine if I did a masters outside of springboard?

It was the case in 2014, not sure about now.

2lazytogetup · 06-07-2020 1:32pm

do you reckon its too late to apply for any of these courses? i was hit with this mysterious virus last week. affected my lungs and made me feel weak. freaky.

Away With The Fairies · 06-07-2020 1:48pm

2lazytogetup wrote: »

do you reckon its too late to apply for any of these courses? i was hit with this mysterious virus last week. affected my lungs and made me feel weak. freaky.

You're not too late. Different colleges have different closing dates for applications.

06-07-2020 7:07pm

I got offered a place on one course I applied to but it wouldn't be my first choice. I have to accept within 7 days. If I accept that course do my other applications just get cancelled? I'm worried I could miss out altogether now.

AngryLips · 06-07-2020 7:55pm

The private colleges are always fast to offer so that they soak up all the demand. I'd hold off if I were you for the course you want. Accepting a course will cancel all your other applications I think. IIRC that's what happened to me.

SpannerMonkey · 06-07-2020 11:45pm

Illium wrote: »

Has anybody done a course with Innopharma education? Just looking for some feedback. Thanks.

im doing a lvl 8 with them at the moment. Highly recommend . They are very good to deal with and the course is good and relevant to the industry.

CBear1993 · 06-07-2020 11:55pm

Are you new to the industry doing this level 8?

I’m worried about taking on one as I have no pharma background, I’m in construction.

Have they guaranteed or indicated what sort of role you will be in or able to apply to at the end of it Spanner Monkey?

I don’t really want to go and do a degree to just become an operator or a shift worker in a pharma lab / factory to be part of the production line / process at the end of it.

Uvex · 07-07-2020 9:27am

CBear1993 wrote: »

Are you new to the industry doing this level 8?

I’m worried about taking on one as I have no pharma background, I’m in construction.

Have they guaranteed or indicated what sort of role you will be in or able to apply to at the end of it Spanner Monkey?

I don’t really want to go and do a degree to just become an operator or a shift worker in a pharma lab / factory to be part of the production line / process at the end of it.

If you get into the right factory you will be on 100k plus on the production line. But if its job satisfaction you are looking for then that's fair enough if you don't want to go that route.

Snow Garden · 07-07-2020 9:31am

SpannerMonkey wrote: »

im doing a lvl 8 with them at the moment. Highly recommend . They are very good to deal with and the course is good and relevant to the industry.

Which course are you doing if you dont mind me asking?

Esse85 · 07-07-2020 9:31am

CBear1993 wrote: »

Are you new to the industry doing this level 8?

I’m worried about taking on one as I have no pharma background, I’m in construction.

Have they guaranteed or indicated what sort of role you will be in or able to apply to at the end of it Spanner Monkey?

I don’t really want to go and do a degree to just become an operator or a shift worker in a pharma lab / factory to be part of the production line / process at the end of it.

The degree doesn't rubber stamp where you end up, it guarantees you nothing, after getting a degree of any sort it's entirely down to the individual where they go and what they do with it after that.

Colleges are not responsible for what a person does on completion of a degree, they have done their bit in providing and teaching the course material.

CBear1993 · 07-07-2020 9:56am

Esse85 wrote: »

The degree doesn't rubber stamp where you end up, it guarantees you nothing, after getting a degree of any sort it's entirely down to the individual where they go and what they do with it after that.

Colleges are not responsible for what a person does on completion of a degree, they have done their bit in providing and teaching the course material.

Yeah they are supposed to state career options though and provide examples of typical entry routes after completion, that’s all I’m saying.

Anybody wants a job they have to go get it

Esse85 · 07-07-2020 10:33am

CBear1993 wrote: »

Yeah they are supposed to state career options though and provide examples of typical entry routes after completion, that’s all I’m saying.

Anybody wants a job they have to go get it

Can't you research the course yourself and see what route people go down? If you were interested enough you would, but it seems you don't know what you want to do and your hoping something will fall in your lap and you'll hit the jackpot.
That's what your recent posts suggest to me.

07-07-2020 10:42am

CBear1993 wrote: »

Are you new to the industry doing this level 8?

I’m worried about taking on one as I have no pharma background, I’m in construction.

Have they guaranteed or indicated what sort of role you will be in or able to apply to at the end of it Spanner Monkey?

I don’t really want to go and do a degree to just become an operator or a shift worker in a pharma lab / factory to be part of the production line / process at the end of it.

Tbh I don't think many of these courses being ran by springboard are going to get you into any jobs that aren't entry level.

Is your undergrad in Science? If not you will struggle in my opinion. Another thing I've seen is people that have never done some type of work placement really struggle to get into roles within the Biopharma sector.

CBear1993 · 07-07-2020 10:47am

Esse85 wrote: »

Can't you research the course yourself and see what route people go down? If you were interested enough you would, but it seems you don't know what you want to do and your hoping something will fall in your lap and you'll hit the jackpot.
That's what your recent posts suggest to me.

I have, and I will continue to do so. I exhaust all resources when I am trying to find out about something, which I am doing now, is that ok with you, thread police? Hope you enjoyed your snoop through my posts

This thread was full of very helpful, positive people with good stories to tell, in fact a lot have been helpful through DM, a younger lad turned to me for advice in construction and going abroad.

I don’t see any helpfulness from your input, bring it onto another thread, eh?

SpannerMonkey · 07-07-2020 11:39am

CBear1993 wrote: »

Are you new to the industry doing this level 8?

I’m worried about taking on one as I have no pharma background, I’m in construction.

Have they guaranteed or indicated what sort of role you will be in or able to apply to at the end of it Spanner Monkey?

I don’t really want to go and do a degree to just become an operator or a shift worker in a pharma lab / factory to be part of the production line / process at the end of it.

Ive worked for 3 pharma companies over the last 20 years so im not new to the industry, but i came from a trade backround too. Its not easy but if you put in a bit of effort its not bad

The course im doing is level 8 Higher diploma in Biopharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing.
Main reason im doing it is to gain knowledge about biopharma and med device as ive never worked in these industries

No course or company will guarantee you a job purely based on a course . All it gives you is an edge. And i wouldnt knock shift operator roles they can be on 100k a year and most these days that i have worked with have honours degrees or masters.

Overall though Innopharma have been good to deal with. We had a few minor issues when covid hit but so did every college. They adapted well and things continued as normal. Id have no hesitation doing another course with them . Its all done through TUD ( formally DIT) now the tests are set by them and the labs are there.

Uvex · 07-07-2020 11:45am

Hi,

I'm currently looking at doing a course in IT through springboard but I'm unsure what I should be looking for with regards modules and skills within the courses. I suppose I'm an open book with regards what route to take but obviously good career prospects is a positive.

I have tried looking up what differing jobs entail but I haven't found any great resource to help me on that front.
I do realise I am being very vague but any information or guidance would be appreciated. PM's welcomed also if preferred.

Current position - Work in pharma industry, shift work, great remuneration and benefits, no job satisfaction. Always had a strong aptitude for computers.

py · 07-07-2020 12:28pm

Uvex wrote: »

Hi,

I'm currently looking at doing a course in IT through springboard but I'm unsure what I should be looking for with regards modules and skills within the courses. I suppose I'm an open book with regards what route to take but obviously good career prospects is a positive.

I have tried looking up what differing jobs entail but I haven't found any great resource to help me on that front.
I do realise I am being very vague but any information or guidance would be appreciated. PM's welcomed also if preferred.

Current position - Work in pharma industry, shift work, great remuneration and benefits, no job satisfaction. Always had a strong aptitude for computers.

There are plent of different careers within IT. Here's 20 of them and there are many more. Really depends on what sort of work you want to do.

Uvex · 07-07-2020 2:35pm

py wrote: »

There are plent of different careers within IT. Here's 20 of them and there are many more. Really depends on what sort of work you want to do.

Thanks. I have looked deeper at the roles that interest me and I think software development is what interests me the most and there seems to be a lot more working with people in that role.

So now to try find the best springboard course for that.

Kamu · 07-07-2020 2:38pm

Uvex wrote: »

Thanks. I have looked deeper at the roles that interest me and I think software development is what interests me the most and there seems to be a lot more working with people in that role.

So now to try find the best springboard course for that.

Apply for them all that are suitable, no guarantee that you will be accepted to any of them. Might be the case that you pick the one that picks you.

The first year that I applied to Springboard I only applied to one of the courses and didn't get it, the next year I applied to 3 and got all 3.

Uvex · 07-07-2020 3:24pm

Kamu wrote: »

Apply for them all that are suitable, no guarantee that you will be accepted to any of them. Might be the case that you pick the one that picks you.

The first year that I applied to Springboard I only applied to one of the courses and didn't get it, the next year I applied to 3 and got all 3.

Thanks for that advice as I was only going to apply for this one.

https://springboardcourses.ie/details/8099

Will have another look and will apply to others that may be suitable.

Kamu · 07-07-2020 3:31pm

Uvex wrote: »

Thanks for that advice as I was only going to apply for this one.

https://springboardcourses.ie/details/8099

Will have another look and will apply to others that may be suitable.

Are you currently working? if you are, then some of those Full-time courses will not accept you and most (if not all) the full time courses will have some aspect of work placement.

If you are not working, then definitely do the full-time.

I heard great things from the Maynooth and the UCD full-time courses, but I believe they are both classroom based.

GirlatdRockShow · 08-07-2020 6:19pm

I have applied for two different course and each have requested past exams transcripts, which is fine. But I have spent the past week trying to get onto my past college (dit/tud) to get electronic version of these, I have rang 4 different numbers and emailed 4 different emailed, as well as filling out an online form and no reply, I'm not in the city either so I can't call into them. Has anyone else had trouble getting transcripts from their college?

BonnieSituation · 08-07-2020 6:22pm

GirlatdRockShow wrote: »

I have applied for two different course and each have requested past exams transcripts, which is fine. But I have spent the past week trying to get onto my past college (dit/tud) to get electronic version of these, I have rang 4 different numbers and emailed 4 different emailed, as well as filling out an online form and no reply, I'm not in the city either so I can't call into them. Has anyone else had trouble getting transcripts from their college?

I'm just using using screenshots from the DIT Student Records page.

Chance your old login.

https://studentapps.dit.ie/BAN8L1/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin

This is it · 08-07-2020 6:22pm

GirlatdRockShow wrote: »

I have applied for two different course and each have requested past exams transcripts, which is fine. But I have spent the past week trying to get onto my past college (dit/tud) to get electronic version of these, I have rang 4 different numbers and emailed 4 different emailed, as well as filling out an online form and no reply, I'm not in the city either so I can't call into them. Has anyone else had trouble getting transcripts from their college?

Would the QQI awards verification do? That's what I used. You can get it for €20 from QQI or €100 for your actual scroll, cert, etc. Took about 3 working days to get after ordering online

jaffa20 · 08-07-2020 6:44pm

GirlatdRockShow wrote: »

I have applied for two different course and each have requested past exams transcripts, which is fine. But I have spent the past week trying to get onto my past college (dit/tud) to get electronic version of these, I have rang 4 different numbers and emailed 4 different emailed, as well as filling out an online form and no reply, I'm not in the city either so I can't call into them. Has anyone else had trouble getting transcripts from their college?

I got them the next day after online request to NUI

py · 08-07-2020 7:03pm

GirlatdRockShow wrote: »

I have applied for two different course and each have requested past exams transcripts, which is fine. But I have spent the past week trying to get onto my past college (dit/tud) to get electronic version of these, I have rang 4 different numbers and emailed 4 different emailed, as well as filling out an online form and no reply, I'm not in the city either so I can't call into them. Has anyone else had trouble getting transcripts from their college?

I don't think many colleges have staff on site and are unlikely to have access to phone numbers from off site. I know when I've tried to contact my own college with questions on their springboard course, I'd to do it through email and that was incredibly slow.

GirlatdRockShow · 08-07-2020 7:12pm

Thanks all for your replies. I have my scroll alright so I might chance that, its just the request was very specific about past exam transcripts. I will also try the log in, although I may have trouble remembering my details as it was so long ago now! Yes totally understandable that there is no one answering phones and that email is a bit slow at the moment due to current restrictions, just a little worried as springboard provider said have it back in 7 days.

This is it · 08-07-2020 7:21pm

On another note, I was offered, and have accepted, my preferred course. Looking forward to September now

py · 08-07-2020 7:24pm

This is it wrote: »

On another note, I was offered, and have accepted, my preferred course. Looking forward to September now

Do you mind sharing which college? I'm interested to see where each college are with the process.

retalivity · 08-07-2020 11:08pm

The wife was offered a place on one of her choices as well. But its a bums-on-seats college & level 6 IT course so probably a lot less stringent on selection!

This is it · 08-07-2020 11:13pm

retalivity wrote: »

The wife was offered a place on one of her choices as well. But its a bums-on-seats college & level 6 IT course so probably a lot less stringent on selection!

I believe it probably is a seats on bums in some cases but I wouldn't let that put her off. I'm like a broken record at this stage but I finished an IT course in 2014 that was in a private college. Managed to get my foot in the door where I am now and haven't looked back. Applied for a course this year in the same college after having a great experience last time, and obviously it had the course I wanted. Really looking forward to it.

retalivity · 09-07-2020 7:33am

Oh yeah, I was not being that dismissive, she is starting at the bottom and is full intending on taking a place.
She had applied for 2 places - both private colleges, one with a bit more 'rep' than the other. I found it funny that one is asking for a lot of documentation, letters, possible interview etc. while the other had a lot less requests.

RunRoryRun · 09-07-2020 10:35am

GirlatdRockShow wrote: »

I have applied for two different course and each have requested past exams transcripts, which is fine. But I have spent the past week trying to get onto my past college (dit/tud) to get electronic version of these, I have rang 4 different numbers and emailed 4 different emailed, as well as filling out an online form and no reply, I'm not in the city either so I can't call into them. Has anyone else had trouble getting transcripts from their college?

I filled out the form on the DIT / TUD website for transcripts - got them about 3-4 working days later by email.

py · 09-07-2020 10:40am

py wrote: »

I've applied to DCU and AIT. Yet to hear anything back from either of them.

Have had request for more documentation from DCU and TUD (applied after posting the above). AIT applications are still in pending state.

Still no official declines or offers at this stage from DCU, TUD or AIT.

red face dave · 09-07-2020 11:21am

py wrote: »

Have had request for more documentation from DCU and TUD (applied after posting the above). AIT applications are still in pending state.

Still no official declines or offers at this stage from DCU, TUD or AIT.

Got an offer yesterday from Sligo but similar to you had a request from DCU for more info but no offer yet

CBear1993 · 09-07-2020 11:39am

Got an offer from IT Sligo but they are looking me to accept by 13th July, very soon. I would rather hear back from my other choices so I will probably have to cancel this unfortunately.

BonnieSituation · 09-07-2020 11:56am

Looks like I'll be tripped up by the stupid "9 out of 12 month" stipulation for a Hdip in Maynooth.

All because they're starting the course in September rather than say October or January like some of the others.

Very frustrating.

CBear1993 · 09-07-2020 11:58am

What's that stipulation Bonnie?

BonnieSituation · 09-07-2020 11:59am

CBear1993 wrote: »

Got an offer from IT Sligo but they are looking me to accept by 13th July, very soon. I would rather hear back from my other choices so I will probably have to cancel this unfortunately.

I have that scenario in play with GMIT now. Need to respond by 11th. Not sure what I'll do.

BonnieSituation · 09-07-2020 12:01pm

CBear1993 wrote: »

What's that stipulation Bonnie?

You need to be on an eligible payment for 9 months of the previous 12 BEFORE the course starts.

So I've been on JA since January 1st, so my 9 months doesn't finish til September 30th. Course starts on September 7th.

CBear1993 · 09-07-2020 12:01pm

Yeah they only accepted my offer last Friday 3rd and want an acceptance 10 days later... that's just it I suppose with the demand. Won't be in a position to accept that fast on my future so I'll let someone else take it!

Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

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