Now is the time to boost your education for

THE past 11 months have brought chaos to our lives so now is the time to reflect on your career and education and consider your future.

With fantastic courses available online, in your locality or within a short distance drive now is the time to put in motion a plan of action to get to where you want to be in your life.

With more than 10,000 Wexford people on PUP and several thousand more unemployed for various reasons, more and more people find the days long and have too much time on their hands.

Career security is a major concern and people are starting to think about a secure job going forward in the post- Covid-19 world.

By choosing to further your education and enhance your skills right now, while the nation recovers from the coronavirus, you could be perfectly placed to capitalise on the revived job market upon graduation. And for those who can’t commit to three years in college, or can’t travel out of county to attend classes, there are a variety of options available right here in Wexford.

WWETB ( Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board) offer a variety of training courses across the South East of Ireland, including in Co Wexford. Training courses are delivered in purpose-built training centres by experienced staff, who provide the very highest standard of training under the national government Department of Education and Skills brand `ETB’.

The courses are suitable for jobseekers, people entering the workforce for the first time, early school leavers, people with disabilities, those wishing to change careers and are looking to refresh their knowledge or gain new skills.

WWETB offer full-time day courses, evening courses and community-based courses which are designed to improve the skills of people who may need additional support to obtain a job or progress to higher-level training.

Courses are available at Wexford and New Ross Youthreach, the Wexford Training Centre, the Adult Literacy Service in Gorey, in both Enniscorthy and Gorey Vocational Schools, and in Selskar College among others.

The courses range from Hairdressing, Business Management and Early Childhood Care to Art, Craft & Design and Nursing with many available to start in the coming weeks.

QQI Level 5 or 6 qualifications are on offer for those who graduate and the prospect of a new career or progression to third-level.

You can apply for the Back to Education Allowance if you are hoping to attend a Post Leaving Certificate Course or Institute of Education, fulltime. For further information on moving from Social Welfare to training or education please check www.welfare. ie for benefits and supports.

If you are hoping to attend a Post Leaving Certificate Course (PLC) you may be able to get a student grant to help with living expenses while you are in education. Please check www. susi.ie for more information.

Community Training & Education Centre

(CTEC) Wexford is available for course enquiries and course bookings, however, due to current government restrictions, the office is closed to the general public and all classes are taking place via Zoom. Contact 053-9121036 or info@ ctecwexford.ie and the team CTEC will get back to you as soon as possible.

The National Learning Network in Wexford provides a range of free courses to people who have had an accident, illness, injury or have a disability and extra support needs.

Their courses are tailored to each student’s needs to help them to build their confidence while getting practical job-seeking skills to help them get a job or go on to further training.

Your local Intreo Office can advise if you are entitled to any allowances whilst on a training course.

In addition to WWETB courses, the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) provides an extensive range of supports to local business communities. Its confidential advisory service is open to anyone exploring self-employment as an option or for those who are currently operating a business.

The LEO operates an ‘Information Centre’, business clients are welcome to discuss their venture with a business advisor. They can help you to identify the most appropriate supports/steps to take to advance your business proposition.

Staff will also provide direction on soft supports such as training programmes, mentoring and business development initiatives.