Get the skills to find the job you want

July 11, 2012 07:32 by Admin

You have been qualified and working in a particular sector for years. Then, due to circumstances out of your control, the sector slows down and you lose your job. There’s little or no chance of getting another job in the area you are an experienced in.

You sign on for social welfare benefits while you look for something else. You apply for a countless number of jobs with no success. There are jobs out there but nothing that you would have the skills or qualifications to even get you to the interview stage.

That’s where Springboard comes in. Springboard gives people who are unemployed the opportunity to do a course in an area where there are jobs available now and where jobs will be available in the future.

Subject to eligibility people who get a social welfare payment such as jobseekers allowance, carers allowance or disability allowance, among others, can apply for a course and continue to receive the social welfare payment.

All Springboard courses are free and part-time. Students graduate with either certificate, degree or postgraduate qualifications. There are courses available in institutes of technology, universities and privately-run colleges across the country.

Graduate will be trained and qualified to work in sectors such as information and communications technology, medical devices, the green economy, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages and international financial services. These industries are all expanding and have jobs available now that they cannot fill as there are not enough people with the required skills.

The application process is easy - simply register your details on www.springboardcourses.ie, search for a course that would interest you and click apply. You can apply for up to ten courses. You will then be contacted by the college to let you know the status of your application.

Students of last year’s Springboard courses have recently graduated, will soon graduate or are continuing their education. Many have said they were apprehensive about going back to college, especially as some had been out of education for up to 20 years or more.

A lot of the students found that their confidence has increased since they started their course and they are ready and equipped for employment. Some have already secured employment in their new field and some are starting their own business.

For more information on the courses available or to apply for a course, log on to www.springboardcourses.ie or freephone 1800 303 523 for more information and advice.