For over six years, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) in conjunction with Springboard+, have offered a large number of free places to job seekers looking to upskill.
Approved to provide 7 programmes through Springboard+ this year, LYIT is now recruiting for September 2017 intake.
Interestingly, Springboard+ has been extended to include homemakers and is not only available to the unemployed. If you have been a carer, or a stay-at-home parent for the last few years, then you too may be eligible to sign up to a Springboard+ programme.
The courses are free of charge and are available part-time, which will fit or adapt to any busy lifestyle or household.
Paul Hannigan, LYIT President, commented: “Springboard+ is a fantastic initiative that has gone from strength to strength at the Institute over the last six years. The programmes on offer at LYIT are designed to fit skills shortages in the economy and we have had many success stories from students that have participated in Springboard+ programmes at the Institute. The programmes range from Certificate to Masters level and these programmes offer amazing career prospects.”
Elaine McFadden, a recent graduand of the Higher Diploma in IT Project Management, undertook the Springboard+ programme in 2016-2017.
Elaine, a busy mum, with a background in Mechanical Engineering, had worked for many years in with Business in the Community Ireland. With an interest in pursuing further study, Elaine connected with Kathleen Mulvin-Brady, Springboard Co-Ordinator at LYIT, and decided to undertake the Higher Diploma in IT Project Management at the Institute.
Elaine commented, “I wanted to acquire new skills, the IT sector appealed to me and particularly the area of Project Management. After speaking with Kathleen, she put me completely at ease and I decided to undertake the HDip in IT Project Management.
“I found it a truly empowering experience, the inclusiveness of the college, the help and support provided to me by the Institute made the transition back into education a thoroughly rewarding experience. The qualification I gained, combined with my previous work experience, have benefited me greatly. I have now secured employment with the Project Management Team in Pramerica, Letterkenny.”
Asked if she would do it again, she added, “Absolutely.”
Annmarie Woods, undertook the Certificate in Culinary Skills through Springboard+ because she felt this programme would fit in with her schedule as a ‘mum on the go’.
AnnMarie commented, “I felt that the two-day-a-week commitment would fit into my lifestyle and that it was a realistic programme to sign up to.
“Springboard+ provided me with my uniform and knives to get me started and this course was all in all a truly fantastic experience. I am now employed as a Pastry Chef at Arnolds Hotel in Dunfanaghy and I couldn’t be happier, I am working for a family-run business and I am really enjoying my work with the company. My experience at the School of Tourism was fantastic and I couldn’t recommend this course highly enough.”
There are many more success stories from Springboard+ programmes at LYIT, whether it’s the Masters of Arts in Accounting or the Higher Diploma in Governance and Compliance in Financial Services, to the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (conversion course into Computing) or the Certificate in Mainframe Technologies, LYIT students are succeeding in Springboard+ programmes.
For more information on the programmes available and eligibility criteria contact Kathleen Mulvin-Brady, Springboard+ Co-Ordinator today on kathleen.mulvin-brady@lyit.ie or visit www.lyit.ie/springboard20172018/
Your future starts with Springboard+ at LYIT.
