| 1 - How many Springboard courses can an applicant apply for? |  |
Application can be made online for a maximum of fifteen course options.
| 2 - Can a participant do more than one Springboard course at the same time? | |
Participants can only study on one part-time course as it is a condition of eligibility that they must continue to remain available for and actively seeking full-time employment.
| 3 - When do Springboard courses start? | |
The start date for all Springboard courses is included in each course information page on www.bluebrick.ie/springboard . Some courses begin prior to or during the summer of 2011. However the majority of courses begin from September 2011 on.
| 4 - Are all Springboard courses a minimum of one year? | |
Springboard courses vary in duration. They include short courses of less than one year’s duration. For full details see Springboard on www.bluebrick.ie/springboard.
| 5 - Can I do a Springboard course in any subject area? | |
Springboard courses are specifically designed to meet current and future skills needs in Ireland. They do not cover all subject areas. Over 200 courses are available in sectors that include information and communications technology (ICT); biopharma and pharmachem; the green economy; financial services; and entrepreneurship and business start-up. For more information see Springboard on www.bluebrick.ie/springboard.
| 6 - What kind of jobs are Springboard courses designed for? | |
Springboard courses aim to upskill and reskill participants in areas of current and future skills needs in Ireland. They include information and communications technology (ICT); biopharma and pharmachem; the green economy; financial services; and entrepreneurship and business start-up. For more information see www.bluebrick.ie/springboard.
| 7 - What happens if I get a job while participating on a Springboard course? | |
While underlining that taking up a job offer must take precedence over participation in a Springboard course, higher education providers have been asked to respond with as much flexibility as possible in instances where participants get a job before their course is complete. For example, providers may offer participants the option to study during evenings or at weekends.
Springboard will also fund the fees for the full academic year during which you return to employment. If the course extends into another academic year(s) the amount of fees payable will be a matter for the higher education provider.
| 8 - Will short-duration Springboard courses be run annually or just in 2011? | |
Some short courses offered in 2011 may be offered again in 2012, depending on demand. It is suggested that you check www.bluebrick.ie/springboard for updates.
| 9 - Is it possible to do a Springboard course through distance learning? | |
Distance learning is a feature of many Springboard courses. Details of how the course is delivered is included in the information on individual courses, available on www.bluebrick.ie/springboard.
| 10 - Do Springboard courses also offer a work placement? | |
| 11 - Do Springboad courses run during the day? | |
Some Springboard courses have contact hours during the day. However all are designed to enable participants to continue to be available for and seek work.
| 12 - I have a disability and require additional accommodations; will these be available if I take up a Springboard course? | |
It is a contractual requirement of providers that they ensure there is equality of opportunity for all learners in accordance with relevant legislation. The Equal Status Acts 2000-2008 require educational institutions/service providers do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability.
| 13 - The National Framework of Qualifications, or ‘NFQ’ is mentioned in the information on Springboard. What is this? | |
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) provides a way to compare qualifications, and to ensure that they are quality-assured and recognised at home and abroad. See www.nfq.ie for more information.
| 14 - Are Springboard courses recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications? | |
All Springboard courses are recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications and lead to a higher education award at either Level 6, Level 7, Level 8 or Level 9 on the Framework.
| 15 - I don’t have a Leaving Certificate. Will I meet the minimum academic requirements for a Springboard course? | |
This depends on the course and the minimum entry requirements as determined by the higher education provider. Many courses provide for recognition of prior learning or experience on the part of people without formal qualifications. Full details are provided with course information on www.bluebrick.ie/springboard .
| 16 - Can I get recognition of my work-based experience and learning on Springboard courses? | |
Many courses provide for recognition of prior learning (RPL) or experience on the part of people with or without formal qualifications. Full details are provided with course information on www.bluebrick.ie/springboard .
| 17 - I already have a minor award at Level 7. Does that mean that I can enrol for a Springboard course at Level 8? | |
Your previous education qualifications and your work experience will be taken into consideration by each higher education provider when making a course offer. Providers will make a course offer that, in their view, best matches the applicant’s abilities and potential to successfully participate and complete their course of study. Each higher education provider will also offer a range of orientation and study supports for Springboard participants.
| 18 - I already have a higher education qualification. Am I eligible to apply for a Springboard course? | |
You are. The target groups for Springboard include people formerly in employment with a higher education qualification who need to upskill or reskill.
Important supplementary note: To be eligible for a place on a Level 9 (post-graduate) Springboard course applicants must have completed their undergraduate qualification three years or more before the date of commencement of their Springboard course. For example, a participant on a Level 9 Springboard course that starts in September 2011 will need to have completed their undergraduate qualification by September 2008 or before. This requirement only applies for Level 9 courses.
| 19 - I am completing my full-time college education this year and don’t have a history of employment. Can I do a Springboard course? | |
The target groups for Springboard are people who have lost their jobs and are now unemployed and who need to upskill or reskill to help them to regain employment in the future. Springboard is not intended for new or recent graduates. A range of other education and training options are available for graduates and others who are not in the priority group for Springboard. See below.
| 20 - I am unemployed and would like to go back to education and training, perhaps full-time. What options are available to me besides Springboard? | |
There are a range of other education and training options available to people who wish to upskill or reskill. For general information and guidance on going to higher education see www.hea.ie/en/students. See also www.citizensinformation.ie. For specific information on financial support for further and higher education, see www.studentfinance.ie. Additional places in further education and training have been announced as part of the Gevernment's 2011 Jobs Initiative, see the website of your local VEC for details of further education opportunities in your area or county. Each VEC administers the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) for unemployed people. There is also the Back To Education Initiative (BTEI) for people with less than upper secondary education. The Department of Social Protection has announced a National Internship Scheme to help unemployed people, including new graduates, to get experience in the workplace. Further information is available www.welfare.ie
| 21 - I am dependent on a partner who receives a Jobseeker's Allowance but I am not in receipt of this payment myself. Am I eligible to apply? | |
People who are not in receipt of one of the eligible allowances are not eligible to apply.
| 22 - My partner is in receipt of a Jobseekers Allowance, however I am only signing for social insurance contribution credits. Am I eligible to apply? | |
If you have been signing for social insurance credits, you are eligible to participate on a Springboard course, regardless of any other Social Welfare payments.
| 23 - I am formerly self-employed and do not qualify for a social protection payment. Am I eligible to apply? | |
If you have been signing for unemployment credits, you are eligible to participate on a Springboard course.
| 24 - I am claiming a One-Parent Family Payment and meet the eligibility criteria. Do I need to apply for the Part-time Education Option (PTEO) of the Department of Social Protection if I enrol on a Springboard course? | |
Eligible Springboard applicants who are in receipt of the One-Parent Family Payment are not required to register for the Part-Time Education Option.
| 25 - I am an eligible worker under one of the EU Globalisation Adjustment Fund initiatives. Am I eligible to take up a Springboard course? | |
As long as such persons fulfil the eligibility criteria as set out they may apply for an approved course.
| 26 - I have a job two days a week, and am in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance - am I eligible to apply for a Springboard course? | |
If you are in receipt of a Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit payment you are eligible to apply.
| 27 - Can I make a Springboard application directly to a participating college? | |
| 28 - I have accepted an offer of a Springboard place but now have changed my mind. Can I re-apply? | |
If a participant has a change-of- mind after accepting a course offer s/he should immediately inform the relevant higher education provider. If other providers are still receiving applications for Springboard courses it may be possible for a participant to re-apply for another Springboard place.
| 29 - If I am offered a Springboard course, do I need to inform my local Social Protection office? | |
Applicants in receipt of a Springboard course offer should visit their local Social Protection office without delay to get a letter of confirmation of the duration of time that they have been in receipt of one of the eligible payments, or have been signing for contribution. A copy of the confirmation letter can be downloaded from www.bluebrick.ie/springboard/Help/UP51b. Important note: Applicants who do not submit this letter of confirmation to the provider cannot not be registered on their course.
| 30 - My Social Protection payment is due to change shortly from Jobseeker's Benefit to Jobseeker's Allowance. If I take up a Springboard programme, will this change to my Social Protection payment still occur? | |
Participation on a Springboard course does not extend the duration that Jobseeker’s benefit will be paid. Participants must continue to satisfy the conditions of their payment.
| 31 - Does participation on a Springboard course guarantee continuation of my social protection payment? | |
Participation on a Springboard course does not provide any guarantee of continuation of a Social Protection payment. Please note also: You should inform your local Social Protection office if you decide to leave the course early.
| 32 - If I do not complete a Springboard course, will this affect my Social Protection payment? | |
Social Protection entitlements are not connected to the outcome of a Springboard course.
| 33 - I am unsure whether a Springboard course is for me. Where can I get advice or guidance? | |
The information for each Springboard course provides links to information on supports available as well as a contact person from whom you can get further, course-specific information. More general advice is available from a range of sources, including the Adult Guidance Service( www.aegai.ie), the Local Employment Service (LES) network( www.localemploymentservices.ie), and your local Social Protection facilitator(www.welfare.ie).
| 34 - What are my options if I am not successful in getting a place on a Springboard course in 2011? | |
You may be able to avail of a range of other education and training options, see the "I am unemployed and would like to go back to education and training, perhaps full-time. What options are available to me besides Springboard?" question above.
| 35 - Is there a cost or registration fee for Springboard courses? | |
No course fees or charges are payable by participants on a Springboard course for the duration of time that they are unemployed. Participants may be required to pay for books or other course materials.
| 36 - Is the Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) the same as Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)? | |
No, the form for Part-Time Education Option and the Back to Education Allowance are the same, however the schemes have different requirements. BTEA applies to full-time education. In the case of Springboard, which is part-time and free to eligible participants, it doesn’t matter what previous qualifications have been completed by the candidate or what state support has been received. Participants on the PTEO do not receive any payment relating to the scheme.
| 37 - What other options are available apart from Springboard? | |
There are a range of other education and training options available to people who wish to upskill or reskill. For general information and guidance, see www.hea.ie/en/students and also check out www.citizensinformation.ie. For specific information on financial support for further and higher education, see www.studentfinance.ie . Additional places in further education and training have been announced as part of the Government's 2011 Jobs Initiative and your local VEC office will have details of these. Each VEC administers the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) for unemployed people. There is also a Back To Education Initiative (BTEI) for people with less than upper secondary education. Finally, the Department of Social Protection has announced a National Internship Scheme to help unemployed people, including new graduates, to get experience in the workplace. Further information is available from www.welfare.ie. The FAS work placement scheme offers similar programmes to similarly qualified applicants and details of this can be found at www.fas.ie.