Details of nine part-time courses aimed at jobless workers have been confirmed this week by Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT ). The courses are scheduled to commence in September and are free of charge. They are part of the Labour Market Activation Programme announced recently by the Minister for Education, Batt O’Keeffe.
Some 155 places are available at the institute on courses ranging from a degree in sustainable construction to a business conversion programme. Candidates are required to submit their application to the admissions office at AIT by Friday August 21. They must also provide confirmation from the local social welfare office that they have been claiming a jobseekers payment for at least six months prior to starting the course.
The full list of courses offered by AIT is: BSc in Sustainable Construction; BEng in Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Energy; Higher Certificate in Science in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology; BSc in Toxicology; BSc in Biotechnology; BSc in Analytical Chemistry; BBus (Hons ) in Applied Accounting; HDip in Business; and HDip in Computing.
The entry requirements for the various courses have been set so as to recognise the work and life experience that people have gained throughout their careers, as well as formal and informal qualifications which they hold. This means that applicants are exempted from the normal criteria to hold academic qualifications to gain entry to this suite of degree programmes, provided they can provide evidence of holding relevant experience related to the course they are applying for. Candidates may be called for an interview as part of the application process.
Further information about all of the programmes offered by AIT under the Labour Market Activation Programme is available online at www.ait.ie This includes detailed information about the entry criteria, as well as a downloadable application form. Information is also available from AIT’s admissions office via email [email protected] and by phone on (090 ) 646 8130/646 8131.
