Donegal ETB recently participated in the formal launch of a new website (fetchcourses.ie) which captures all the Further Education and Training provision nationally in one web location.
The new website will allow learners to access information about Further Education and Training opportunities throughout the county and also nationally. This provision includes Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, the latest Traineeships, Back to Education Initiatives and many more courses. The programmes are delivered nationally by a network of Further Education and Training providers, and there is an online option through SOLAS eCollege. However, within Co Donegal, Donegal ETB is the main provider and at present there are 175 courses uploaded on the website with locations right throughout the county.
Ms Anne McHugh, Chief Executive Donegal ETB said, “This is a very exciting development for the Further Education and Training (FET) Sector as we now have a one stop shop which contains information on all the FET provision at a local, regional and national level. The FET sector offers a wide range of accredited courses at a local level which enable individuals to progress and develop their skills for employment, career progression, progression into other FET courses or third-level as well as providing fundamental literacy and numeracy and other essential skills.”
Donegal ETB has an extensive network of Further Education and Training Centres located throughout the county. There are two dedicated training centres in Letterkenny and Gaoth Dobhair and a further nine FET Centres in Ballyshannon, Donegal Town (2), Stranorlar, Gort a’Choirce, Letterkenny (2), Milford and Buncrana.
Donegal ETB also has a number of outreach locations and works very closely with the network of Community Education providers across the county.
Four of the centres have childcare facilities available on site. The Adult Learner Guidance Service is also available to provide guidance, advice, help and support for learners embarking on their learning journey. Learners considering an apprenticeship route can contact Donegal ETB directly for information on www.donegaletb.ie
Minister for Education and Skills, Mr Richard Bruton TD speaking about the new website noted that, “As our economy comes out of a very difficult period, many new opportunities have opened up for young people, in the further education and training sector, including traineeships and apprenticeships. I believe that we must build a bridge between education and enterprise which is stronger than what we have ever seen before in Ireland. I am delighted that over 4,000 Further Education and Training courses can now be found in one place – fetchcourses.ie.”