What is Skills to Advance?
Through Skills to Advance, we offer free upskilling and reskilling opportunities to those who are currently employed. A wide range of part-time evening programmes are available for people in employment looking to reskill or upskill. These are QQI Level 4-6 and non-accredited programmes. Our programmes are delivered through a combination of online teaching and classroom-based learning at a number of our campuses throughout Limerick and Clare .
We manage the delivery of the Skills to Advance employee development initiative in the Limerick and Clare region. A Government of Ireland initiative, delivered by Education and Training Boards, Skills to Advance has been established to enable targeted support for specific groups in the Irish workforce and to meet the challenges of rapid technological advances and the changing work environment. It offers upskilling and reskilling opportunities to employees and SMEs through Further Education and Training. In addition, Skills to Advance can assist SMEs in identifying their training needs and provide training to their workforce. Through Skills to Advance, we can provide your business with accessible training opportunities, which fit in and around your business and work schedules.
Diploma in Software Development
ONLINE PROGRAMME
This 1-year online programme, delivered by Code Institute, will prepare you for working as an associate software developer by providing you with practical software development skills to meet current industry needs. You will develop your skills to design, create, test and project manage a Full-Stack web-based software application.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will receive a Diploma in Software Development, which is credit-rated by the University of the West of Scotland and aligned to a QQI Level 6 Major Award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). This will empower you to seek employment as an associate software developer.
Entry Requirements and Next Steps
To ensure this is the right programme for you there are some entry requirements, completion of a 5-step coding challenge and an interview.
Applications for this programme are now closed but stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
2022 Programmes
Certificate in Leadership and Management – Online Programme
This Certificate in Leadership and Management programme is for you if you have managerial responsibilities in the workplace but no formal training and would like to develop your abilities. The programme particularly supports practising team leaders seeking to move up to the next level of management, and managers who need to lead people through organisational change, budget cuts or other strategic measures.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
With a qualification aligned at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications, certification is awarded by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). On successful completion, your employees can progress to further upskilling available through Further Education and Training with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.
Applications for this programme are open. The next instance of this programme starts on Tuesday, March 15th.Â
Project Management – Online Programme
This QQI Level 6 programme will equip you with knowledge, skills and competence in the theory, principles and practice of project management. It will empower you to take responsibility for the planning, implementation and review of a project, and enable you to work independently and /or supervise the work of others.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will receive a QQI Level 6 Minor Award, enabling you to plan, implement and review projects, applicable to a wide range of industries.
Applications for this programme are open. The next instance of this programme starts on Monday, March 14th.Â
Conflict Management – Online Programme
This QQI Level 6 Minor Award will equip you with the skills required to manage conflict effectively in your workplace. This programme is for you if you are looking to improve your skillset in the area of conflict dynamics, mediation methods and negotiation techniques.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will receive a QQI Level 6 Minor Award, empowering you to manage conflict situations.
Applications for this programme are open. The next instance of this programme starts on Monday, March 28th.Â
Supervisory Management – Online Programme
This QQI Level 6 programme equips team leaders and supervisors and those considering a career in managing people with the skills to lead and supervise teams successfully. You will learn how to analyse situations and make decisions, effective methods to successfully supervise a team, and understand the role of strategic planning and change management.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will receive a QQI Level 6 Minor Award and you’ll have an elevated skill set to manage a team in your workplace.
Applications for this programme are open. The next instance of this programme starts on Tuesday, April 26th.Â
Marketing Management – Online Programme
On successful completion of this QQI Level 6 Award you will have the knowledge, skill and competence to analyse, evaluate and critically apply marketing management principles and practice to your workplace. This 10-week evening programme is for you if you are new to your role in management or supervisory management or if you wish to gain a valuable qualification to seek employment in this area.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will have a solid understanding of the theory of marketing management and you will be able to apply these learnings in a meaningful way in your workplace.
Applications for this programme are open. The next instance of this programme starts on Tuesday, April 26th.Â
Communications – Online Programme
This 10-week evening course will heighten your awareness of the essential role played by communication in the workplace. You will learn relevant principles and practices involved in gathering and relaying information, analyse the nature and theory of communication, explore varieties of non-verbal communication, develop the skills and confidence required to encode and decode meaning, in writing, verbally and visually, and enhance and refine interactive skills and qualities.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion of this QQI Level 6 Minor Award, you will have gained a set of skills to empower your communication abilities in the workplace.
Applications for this programme are open. The next instance of this programme starts on Tuesday, April 5th.Â
Diploma in Software Development – Online Programme
This 1-year online programme, delivered by Code Institute, will prepare you for working as an associate software developer by providing you with practical software development skills to meet current industry needs. You will develop your skills to design, create, test and project manage a Full-Stack web-based software application.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will receive a Diploma in Software Development, which is credit-rated by the University of the West of Scotland and aligned to a QQI Level 6 Major Award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). This will empower you to seek employment as an associate software developer.
Entry Requirements and Next Steps
To ensure this is the right programme for you there are some entry requirements, completion of a 5-step coding challenge and an interview.
Social Media with Multimedia for Business – Online Programme
This programme will equip you with the skills to successfully use social media as a marketing tool to grow a brand or product. On this 15-week programme, you will gain an improved understanding of social media platforms for business such as Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. You will learn how to create graphics, develop skills in web development and communication. You will be able to identify target audiences and develop a marketing strategy using social media.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will have a solid understanding of using social media for business as well as effectively using multimedia tools to support your marketing efforts.
Applications for this programme are open. The next instance of this programme starts on Tuesday, March 15th.Â
Regional Tour Guiding – Online Programme
This 20-week programme will equip you with the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies to work effectively as a Tour Guide. On this programme you will learn how to plan and implement themed tour itineraries, demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of Irish and regional culture and develop a range of communication, information and customer care skills.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion of this QQI Level 6 Minor Award programme, you’ll have the skills to work as a Tour Guide in the tourism industry.
Applications for this programme are now closed but stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
Safety and Health at Work – Online Programme
This 13-week evening programme is for you if you would like to promote and maintain safety and health in a work environment. You will learn how to identify hazards and carry out risk assessments and become familiar with the responsibilities and duties of the employer and employee with regard to health and safety.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion of this programme, you will receive a QQI Level 5 Minor Award.
Applications for this programme are now closed but stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
Special Needs Assisting – Online Programme
This online programme will equip you with the skills necessary to ensure those with special needs are offered equal opportunity to access education. This programme will outline the importance of the difference between an inclusive and integrated educational environment. You will study the impact of special needs on behaviour and understand the different techniques to help with maladaptive behaviour.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will receive a QQI Level 6 Minor Award.
Applications for this programme are now closed but stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
Business Administration – Online Programme
This 14-week online programme is for you if you would like to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills required to excel in an administration role in a business setting. This programme involves a mix of theory and practical activities in an engaging and interactive learning environment.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will receive a QQI Level 5 Minor Award, empowering you to seek employment, progress your employment opportunities or further your learning.
Applications for this programme are now closed but stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
IT Programmes – Offered by eCollege
| Introduction to Programming using Python | APPLY | |
| Introduction to Programming using HTML and CSS | APPLY | |
| Microsoft Excel Expert 2016 | APPLY | |
| Windows Operating Systems Fundamentals | APPLY | |
| Microsoft Word Expert 2016 | APPLY | |
| Windows Security Administrator Fundamentals | APPLY | |
| Database Fundamentals | APPLY | |
| Java Foundations Certified Junior Associate | APPLY | |
| ICDL – Online – 4 Core Modules | APPLY |
Customer Service with an introduction to CX – Online Programme
This Level 5 Minor Award programme in Customer Service not only offers a solid foundation in customer service skills but will also give you an introduction to Customer Experience.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will receive a QQI Level 5 Minor Award, empowering you to provide high-quality customer service.
Applications for this programme are now closed but stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
ECDL Essentials – Online Programme
This internationally recognised ICT qualification is designed to give you the skills to use a range of computer applications confidently and effectively. The online evening programme is designed to cover core areas such as Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Online Essentials, Computer Essentials, Presentation and Using Databases.
This programme is designed for novice and intermediate computer users and requires no prior knowledge and skills.
Progression / Employment Opportunities
On successful completion, you will be able to complete a wide range of software applications to strengthen your skillset in the workplace.
Applications for this programme are now closed but stay tuned for more information in the coming months.