Job Seekers

Pathways To Work

Research indicates that there is a strong link between unemployment and educational attainment. The Irish government recognises the importance of education for both individuals and society. The Back To Education Programmes were introduced to provide a comprehensive range of options from which an unemployed person can choose, or be directed to, depending on the most appropriate option for his/her needs.

If you are unemployed, or simply want to further your education, there is likely to be a government scheme that will help you financially to do a course that you are interested in. 

As most of these initiatives are designed to assist unemployed people return to education, improve their skills and increase their chance of gaining employment, we have more information on these programmes in our Adult Learner Section

To search for SOLAS courses and training programmes click here

Did you know ... Springboard+  Springboard+ offers a choice of 198 free, part-time and intensive conversion courses in higher education from certificate, to degree, to post-graduate level. See search courses for full details. Applications can also be made for one year full-time and two year part-time ICT Skills Conversion courses. In 2017/18 courses are now open to the following categories of applicants: Homemakers (all courses are open to Homemakers) People in employment who wish to take a course in the manufacturing sector (e.g. Bio-pharma or medical devices technology) or who wish to take an ICT Conversion course or who already hold a Level 7 (Ordinary Degree) IT qualification who wish to upskill to a Level 8 IT qualification The unemployed or formerly self-employed (all courses are open to these category of applicants, with the exception of the two year part-time ICT conversion courses which are not open to those in receipt of a Jobseekers-related payment)

To search FIT courses click here

To check details of available Skillnets training click here

To search their training programmes click here

Search for Youthreach Courses

As most of these initiatives are designed to assist unemployed people return to education, improve their skills and increase their chance of gaining employment, we have more information on these programmes in our Adult Learner Section: click here.

For a full list of schemes from the Department's website and to download forms click here

Need advice on what to do?

With so many possible courses, and a variety of different financial supports available, many people choose to discuss their options with a local careers advisor. Government based services provide free consultations and are available nationwide. Click here to go to Adult Guidance Supports.