Return to Education

As an adult you have a wide range of learning opportunities available to you. On this page you will find a brief summary of some courses that may be of interest to you. If you would like to find out more then please visit our guidance library.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme

This is a daytime general education and work-related training programme. Adults can acquire valuable educational qualifications while still retaining social welfare benefits. The programme is run on a full-time basis over a period of two years. Participants in Clare can study subjects such as Childcare, Business Studies, Humanities, Art, Craft and Design and Information Technology as part of the programme.

Back to Education Initiative

Provides part-time further education programmes for young people and adults. Programmes are offered in the mornings, afternoons, in the evenings or at weekends. The subjects available include Childcare, Beginners Computers, ECDL, Visual Arts Practice, Pottery, Horticulture, Food & Cookery, Woodwork, Stained Glass, Arts & Crafts, Personal Development, Junior & Leaving Certificate English and Maths.

Clare Reading and Writing Scheme

Provides classes for adults who want to improve their reading, writing, spelling or maths in a pleasant and easy atmosphere. Classes can be on a one-to-one basis or in small groups.

Clare Family Learning Project

Provides family learning courses, which are designed to encourage parents to become involved in their children’s education at an early age.

Workplace Literacy

Provides literacy tuition for people in employment in the Clare area.

Night Classes

A wide variety of night classes are available each year in areas such as business, DIY, arts and crafts, computing, languages and counselling.

English Language Training

English language programmes are available for refugees, asylum seekers and minority linguistic groups.

Feile E-Learning Centre

Provides access to on-line computers, to e-learning courses and resources and to learning facilitators in Ennis and Miltown Malbay.

Leaving Cert Applied

Provides vocational preparation and education opportunities for people wishing to apply what they are learning in the real world.

Post-Leaving Cert Courses

PLC’s are FETAC certified courses that may be used to gain employment or used as a stepping stone to higher education. In Clare, FETAC Level 2 certificates are currently available in:

• Art/Craft/Design
• Business Studies – Administration
• Bilingual Secretary
• Business Studies – Secretarial
• Business Studies
• eBusiness
• Information Processing
• Marketing
• Information Technology
• Childcare
• Outdoor Recreation
• Tourism
• Community Arts

Congress Opportunities and Information Centre

Provides basic computer classes up to and including ECDL at Springfield House in Ennis.

FÁS, CERT and Teagasc

Provide a broad range of courses relating to craftsperson positions, employment specific training, hotel and catering education and training in agriculture and horticulture.

Institutes of Technology and Universities

In addition to full-time studies, many higher education institutions offer part-time courses leading to awards at National Certificate, Diploma and Degree levels. Some third-level colleges also deliver part-time courses on an outreach basis in locations other than in the colleges themselves. Visit the Links page to access the Web sites of each higher education institution in Ireland.

Oscail – distance learning

Oscail is run from Dublin City University and provides Irish University Bachelor’s degree programmes in Humanities and Information Technology. Postgraduate qualifications are also available. Programmes are delivered via distance learning.

Open University

Provides a broad range of degree programmes taught via distance learning. A broad range of certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications are available.

Private Business Schools

Provide various short-term and long-term courses in business and information technology. These schools are located in Ennis, Kilrush and Shannon in County Clare.

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