IT Sligo is offering free places to jobseekers on a number of online programmes which are starting next month, September 2012.
The courses are funded under the Government-initiative Springboard and are all in the areas of science and engineering. Included are; a Higher Certificate in Science in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology; a Certificate in Science in Biopharmaceutical Processing (Level 7 ); a Certificate in Biopharmaceutical Science; Masters in Science in Biopharmaceutical Science; a Certificate in Sterile Operations (Level 6 ); a Certificate in Biopharmaceutical Science (Level 8 ); a Postgraduate Diploma in Biopharmaceutical Science; a Masters in Science in Quality; and a Certificate in Lean Sigma Quality Six Sigma Green Belt ).
Programme Manager at IT Sligo’s Centre for Online Learning, Brian Mulligan, said that the courses selected for participating in the programme are all in areas which are experiencing growth currently, so employment prospectus on completion of the courses are healthy: “The courses have been selected for participation in the Springboard programme because these industries are in short supply of qualified graduates. Seven of the 11 programmes we’re offering under Springboard relate to Biopharmaceutical Science, an industry which is going from strength to strength in Ireland at the moment.”
Studying online does not require advance computer skills, he stressed; “We’ve been offering online programmes since 2002, we’re the national leaders in it. We’ve perfected the process and we know that it’s workable for people with even the most basic of IT Skills. It is the most flexible way to learn, because it allows people to study in their own time, wherever they are.”
To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course a person must be unemployed and actively seeking employment. The eligibility criteria for Springboard 2012 have been expanded to include people who were previously self-employed and people in receipt of an extended number of social welfare payments. Full details of eligible social welfare payments and other eligibility criteria are available on www.springboardcourses.ie Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon is urging jobseekers to check out the options available under the Springboard initiative; “Springboard provides exciting new opportunities for people who have lost their jobs and want a new career direction to get back to work.”
“So with application deadlines fast approaching, I really encourage anyone who is unemployed and finding it difficult to get work to consider applying for a Springboard qualification that could take them into a new career in one of Ireland's growth industries,” he said.
For further details on Springboard courses at IT Sligo please contact 0719155222 or [email protected]. Jobseekers can visit www.springboardcourses.ie to get all of the information they need and to make a course application.
A Freephone Guidance line 1800 303523 is also in place to assist people with course choices and applications.
