Training and Education Options: Returning to Education as a Mature Student

Returning to education is an option that many jobseekers consider.  

Enhancing your skills and experience through education can significantly improve your chances of securing employment and of targeting specific jobs or industries that interest you.— 

There are a number of education providers who offer education courses and assistance to people returning to education

Key Education Providers

Meath VEC

County Meath VEC is the local statutory education and training authority.  The Committee's headquarters are in Abbey Road, Navan. County Meath VEC operates 9 schools and colleges, a PLC college, 6 Youthreach Centres, VTOS (overleaf), Travellers Training Centre, Adult Education, Community Education, Adult Literacy, BTEI (overleaf) and an Adult Guidance Centre throughout County Meath.  They also administer Student Grants, Youth Grants and School Transport. —  They also offer the Adult Basic Education Service which assists adults to develop their core skills.

Meath Partnership

Through its training facility, the Dr. Curran Centre of Learning, Meath Partnership offers a variety of relevant training and up-skilling courses which are designed to improve the job prospects of participants.  The courses on offer foster established links with local and rural enterprises and participants will receive relevant and specific skills for emerging job roles in growth industries. —  Contact Meath Partnership for more information available courses. 

Colleges, Universities and Institutes of Technology

These organisations provide mainly third level courses with literally thousands of courses available. —  All colleges have Access Officers who can help you apply for their courses. Each University and Institute of Technology in Ireland has Access Programmes, facilitated by Access Officers.  Access Programmes offer alternative pathways to third level education for people whose social, economic and cultural experiences have prevented them from realizing their education potential. Access Programmes differ depending on the University or Institute of Technology, so for full information on how the Access Programme can help you, contact the relevant University directly or consult their website.  For a full list of higher education institutes, visit the QualifaX website, www.qualifax.ie.

Note on FÁS Disbandment

FÁS are the national training and employment authority; however a government announcement in 2011 indicated they are to be disbanded.  Responsibility for the training courses, the training staff and premises will transfer to the VEC’s. —  A new organisation, SOLAS, is to be formed who will be responsible for co-ordinating and funding Further Education and Training which will be delivered through the VEC’s.

Advice on Returning to Education

There are many considerations before embarking on a training or education programme and are a number of supports available to people in the County to help them work out their Educational options, which include;

Universities and Colleges Access Officers

Most Colleges have dedicated Access Officer who can advise and assist you in applying for the courses  offered by the college. Contact the college you are interested in directly.

Access to Success

Meath Partnership offers support to Jobseekers seeking to return to education through the Access to Success initiative.  This initiative offers participants the chance to take part in a number of workshops and events throughout the year in conjunction with Higher Education Institutions and Mature Student Guidance officers.  Each November, the Access to Success Initiative culminates in a major Open Day where members of the public can meet the Access Officers of the top Universities, Colleges and Institutes of Technology.

Meath Adult Education & Guidance Service (MAEGS)

MAEGS aims to provide all people living in Meath with access to the best career information, advice and guidance to achieve their life goals.  Their objective is to promote the importance of career planning at every stage of a person's life.  Drop in Information Clinics are available on Tuesdays 9.30 am -12.30pm or Thursdays 2.30pm to 4.30pm. MAEGS also operate SAIL (Supporting Adults into Learning) and offer workshops on topics like CAO applications, Student Finance, college interviews and academic skills which run throughout the year.

Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) 

Meath VEC operates the Back to Education Initiative. The BTEI provides part-time courses for young people and adults, especially those who have not completed Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) qualification.  The BTEI creates an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities. Anyone who has left full-time education can take part in a course, but priority will be given to those with less than upper second level education. You qualify for free tuition if you have not completed your education to Leaving Certificate standard.—  Meath VEC also provides a number of Adult Education and evening training programmes, from beginners level right up to courses which are accredited by NUI Maynooth.  You may also receive a Back To Education Allowance if you participate in an approved part time education course under the BTEI.

Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)

Back to Education Allowance is a scheme which allows unemployed people to retain a social welfare payment and return to full time education. This can be at second or third level but must be an approved course.  You must apply and be approved before commencing your course. Citizens Information can advise you on how to apply for the Back to Education Allowance.

Part-time Education Option

—  If you are a jobseeker, you can take on part-time study and retain your Jobseeker’s payment.

—  This option is not part of any return-to-education programme or course. You will still need to be genuinely seeking work. 

—  If you are offered a place on a course, you will need a letter from the college or school stating that the course is part-time. Make sure you bring this with you when you go to your local Social Welfare office.

—  You may receive a BTEA if you participate in approved part-time education under the Back to Education Initiative.

Who Qualifies for BTEA?

Second Level Option

—  To qualify for the Second Level option you must be: 

—  21 years of age or over and in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Payment for at least 3 months or 

—  Aged 18-20 and out of formal education for at least 2 years and in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Payment for at least 3 months.

Third Level Option

To qualify for the Third Level option you must be:

—  21 years of age or over and be in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Payment for at least 9 months or

—  Aged 18-20 and out of formal education for 2 years and be in receipt of JB/JA for at least 9 months

—  Aged 24 or over (3rd Level Post-graduate course)

—  You may also qualify for BTEA in other circumstances e.g. where a person previously did not complete their course and are returning to the second or subsequent year of their 3rd Level course. For further details contact Citizens Information.

VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme)

  This is an adult education programme which allows people who are unemployed to receive a training allowance up to the maximum rate of Jobseekers Benefit.   VTOS is a full time programme and is operated by the VEC. The courses are often Junior/Leaving Certificate level courses, Foundation Courses or Post Leaving Certificate courses. —  You should contact Meath VEC if you are interested in taking a VTOS course.

 Springboard

Springboard was announced in 2011 and offers jobseekers the option to take up a part-time course in higher education and training, free-of-charge, while retaining social welfare payments. —  Over 200 courses are available in various higher education colleges around the country, at Levels 6-9 on the National Framework of Qualifications. —  You can check the courses available and apply online at www.bluebrick.ie/Springboard