Springboard

If you are unemployed, you may want to continue your education or take part in a training course to develop your skills and improve your chances of getting back to work.

The Higher Education Springboard Programme was launched in May 2011. It provides 6,000 higher education places for unemployed people.

The places will be on a range of part-time courses from certificate to master's degree levels - Levels 6 to 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The National Framework of Qualifications provides a way to compare qualifications, and to ensure that they are quality assured and recognised at home and abroad. For more information visit the NFQ website: www.nfq.ie.

The Springboard programme is aimed at people who have previously been employed in construction, manufacturing or other sectors of the economy where employment levels are unlikely to recover to pre-recession levels.

Courses are offered in information and communication technology (ICT); the green economy and qualifications for the bio-pharma-pharmachem sectors. There are also some courses aimed at developing innovative business and entrepreneurship skill.

Qualifying criteria

In order to qualify for Springboard, you must:

  • Be getting Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance or One-Parent Family Payment for a period of at least 6 months before the course start date, or
  • Be signing for social insurance credits for a period of at least 6 months before the course start date, and
  • Have a previous history of employment, and
  • Be actively seeking and available to take up employment

Cost

No course fees or charges are payable by participants on a Springboard course for the duration of the time that they are unemployed. Participants may be required to pay for books or other course materials.

Qualified Adults

Qualified Adults of persons in receipt of qualifying payments cannot participate in the Springboard programme. The is no 'Spousal Swap' option available. People who are not directly in receipt of one of the eligible allowances are not eligible to apply.

Self Employed

If you have been self-employed and are signing for unemployment credits, even if you have not be receiving a Jobseeker's payment, for six months or longer you are eligible to participate on a Springboard cours.

Social Welfare Payments

You will continue to receive your existing Social Welfare payment while participating on a Springboard course, providing you continue to meet qualifying conditions for that payment.

Applicants in receipt of a Springboard course offer should visit their local Social Protection office without delay to get confirmation of the duration of time that they have been in receipt of one of the eligible payments, or signing for contribution. A copy of the confirmation letter can be downloaded from the website: www.bluebrick.ie. Applications who do not submit this confirmation to the provider cannot be registered on their course.

How to apply

Applications for the Springboard programme can only be made online through the website: www.bluebrick.ie Applications cannot be made directly to colleges participating in the Springboard scheme. Please contact individual colleges for further information on courses available.