Springboard+ 2017

Eligibility for Springboard+

Please note that those who have completed a Springboard+ course within the past two years (i.e. graduated from a 2015 or 2016 Springboard+ call course ) are not eligible to apply in 2017 (unless the participant is seeking to progress their qualification level in the same discipline, e.g. level 7 to level 8). Participants who enrolled in more than one Springboard+ course since the inception of Springboard in 2011, and did not complete any course, are not eligible to apply in 2017. Participants who enrolled in just one course, since the inception of Springboard+ in 2011, but did not complete, may be eligible to apply in 2017. If you try and make an application but it is not accepted by the system because of these provisions rule you may wish to contact the HEA to clarify:  https://springboardcourses.ie/contactUs

The HEA maintain a comprehensive eligibility information website at www.springboardcourses.ie/eligibility

Your eligibility for Springboard with regards to social welfare benefits issues is best discussed with your INTREO case officer.

Free Adult Education Guidance Services in Your Area

Expert, free and impartial advice is available from your local Adult Education Guidance service office including offices in Waterford/Wexford, Kilkenny/Carlow, Tipperary and Cork. If you are struggling to choose the best option for you then make an appointment for a discussion about course choice, funding etc. with the experienced adult education experts in these centres.

Eligible applicants for Springboard+ 2017 

1. Those in receipt of an eligible payment from the Department of Social Protection

• who already hold a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) award at level 5 or 6 or equivalent, with a previous history of employment.
• with a previous history of employment who already hold a higher level qualification at NFQ levels 6 to 9, who may require additional upskilling or reskilling in order to re-enter employment.

2. Previously self-employed

• people at all qualifications level who may require new qualifications to return to self-employment or to enter employment.

3. Homemakers

[ 'Homemaker' is defined here as people not in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection that have been out of the work environment for a number of years due to childcare or other caring obligations and have a previous history of employment but may require upskilling, reskilling or cross-skilling to transition back to the workforce ]

• who already hold an NFQ award at level 5 or 6 or equivalent, with a previous history of employment.
• with a previous history of employment who already hold a higher level qualification at NFQ levels 6 to 9, who may require additional upskilling or reskilling in order to re-enter employment.

4. Those in employment

• with an ICT qualification seeking upskilling in that discipline from a level 7 to a level 8.
• with a level 8 cognate discipline wishing to do a full or part-time ICT conversion course (see 3.4. below)
• wishing to upskill or reskill to meet the urgent skill needs of the biopharma/med- tech sectors.

Please see more information at www.springboardcourses.ie/eligibility

Academic Entry Requirements 

Please see information on entry requirements on each course page. Please note that we cannot make any offers until applicants upload the required documentation - e.g. copies of qualifications certificates or transcripts. If you don't have a scanned copy of your degree parchment or transcript then simply take a photograph of it with your phone and upload that.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Where candidates do not currrently meet the formal academic entry requirements (set out on each course information page) they may be able to advance their application using the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism. RPL allows candidates to make a case that they do meet entry requirements through a combination of formal certified learning and learning through experience (most typically work experience). RPL applications must be made by filling out (please type) the Springboard RPL form and submitting it along with supportuing documents such as academic certificates and transcripts etc.

Download WIT Springboard RPL Form 2017

English Language Competency

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit documentary evidence of competency in English. Please see WIT’s English Language Requirements for details at: http://www.wit.ie/about_wit/documents_and_policies/english_language_requirements

Joan Mangan / Neil Quinlan

[email protected]