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Services Provided or to be Provided to the Public
Cork ETB, its schools, colleges and other education centres, provides a wide range of services to learners of all ages and backgrounds. These are categorised as follows:
Educational Services:
Post-Primary Sector
Cork ETB has long been a provider of second-level education throughout the Cork region. Through its 24 post-primary schools and colleges, with links to our Youthreach services and our Further Education Colleges, a wholly inclusive approach is taken by Cork ETB to the provision of education and training appropriate to the learning capacity and readiness of all students in its care.
Cork ETB pioneered the development of the Designated Community College model in partnership with the Diocese of Cork and Ross and the Diocese of Cloyne. The designated community colleges provide a model of second-level education that is inclusive and learner-centred, in order to foster and encourage the academic, personal, social and spiritual development of students. The co-trustees are committed to the partnership model set out in the Model Agreements governing the operation of the Designated Community Colleges, and to supporting these colleges in meeting the needs of the communities in which they operate.
Cork ETB post-primary schools and colleges have been drivers of innovation in building an environment to nurture children who have been socially excluded or disadvantaged, with the provision of Behavioural Support Units and an Autistic Spectrum Disorder Service.
For further information and contact details for individual schools/colleges please see: www.cork.etb.ie/schools-and-colleges/
Primary Sector
Community National Schools
Cork ETB has established two community national schools, one in Mallow (www.scoilaonghusacns.ie/) and the other in Carrigtwohill (www.scoilchliodhnacns.ie). Community National Schools are child-centred, inclusive, multi-belief, state- supported primary schools, which operate through an ethos of inclusiveness and respect for all beliefs, both religious and non-religious, reflecting the diversity of our modern Irish society.
For further information on Community National Schools, please visit: www.cns.ie/.
School Completion Programme
The School Completion Programme (SCP) was set up as part of the Department of Education and Skills DEIS Strategy – ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools’ and is now under the funding remit of TÚSLA.
The aim of this programme is to increase the numbers of young people staying in primary and second-level education and, in doing so, to improve the numbers of pupils who successfully complete the Senior Cycle, or its equivalent.
Further details regarding the SCP and contact details for Programme Co-Ordinators operating under Cork ETB’s remit are available at: www.cork.etb.ie/schools-and-colleges/school-completion-programme/.
School of Music
Cork ETB School of Music (CETBSM) is one of Ireland’s most dynamic multi-campus music schools.
CETBSM provides diverse instrumental tuition programmes in the Classical and Traditional Irish Music styles, as well as offering an exciting portfolio of ensembles, bands, musicianship classes and other music-making activities. The school also has an extensive public performance ‘Concert Series’ and works closely with its partner-schools to support the formal school music programmes at Junior, Transition Year and Leaving Certificate Levels.
For further information on how to access music tuition, please visit: www.ccsm.ie/ and www.cork.etb.ie/schools-and-colleges/cork-etb-school-of-music/.
Music Generation
Music Generation Cork City (MGCC) is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme.
MGCC is based on a partnership model with local music education providers to put music education programmes in place in schools and youth groups in areas of city which have been identified as having gaps in music education provision.
For further information please visit: www.musicgenerationcorkcity.com/
Further Education & Training (FET) Sector
Cork ETB has been at the forefront in the design and delivery of Further Education Programmes over the past twenty years. Each Further Education College delivers a wide range of courses and programmes, some of which offer progression routes to third-level institutions. The challenge to the staff and colleges is to build on what has already been achieved and to continue to be pro-active into the future.
The FET sector is one of evolving change, particularly as the design and delivery of new programmes to provide education and training in developing skills areas is challenging. Responding to changing skills requirements is a focus for all Cork ETB Colleges/Centres as they strive to maintain and develop their reputation for innovation in this regard.
The courses provided in Cork ETB Colleges/Centres are continually updated and modified to meet the changing conditions of industry and, thereby, provide the optimum opportunity of securing employment for students. The majority of these courses are linked with established national, professional institutes and students awards are accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) (formerly FETAC) and a number of Professional Institutes. Students are also provided with opportunities to progress to Higher Education. The ETB has developed strong links with CIT and UCC for this purpose.
Further information and contact details for programmes running in this sector are available at: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/.
The Cork Training Centre (former FÁS Training Centre) delivers an extensive range of training to a diverse range of clients, including those entering the labour market for the first time, job changers, persons wishing to update or acquire new skills, those changing careers, persons with a disability and early school-leavers. The targeted courses are designed to meet the needs of identified industries with a view to meeting the demands of the national skills strategy. A full list of courses on offer and details on how to enrol is available at: www.corktrainingcentre.ie.
Outdoor Education Centres
Fastnet Marine Outdoor Education Centre, Schull and Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre, Kinsale both provide a full range of programmes and courses.
Full details and contact information are available on their respective websites through: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/outdoor-education/.
Adult Education
The vision of the Cork ETB Adult Education service is to promote an integrated adult education service with each strand contributing to a much needed educational resource within the Cork region. We adapt our range of programmes and incorporate all aspects of adult learning within a unified whole. This involves the merging and integration of services with Community Education, Back to Education Initiative, Literacy, Guidance, VTOS, Upskilling and Training.
The Adult Education Service provides education and training from Level 1 through to Level 10, under the National Framework of Qualifications.
Details of the full range of Adult Education services and contact details are available on our website at: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/adult-education/.
Evening Classes
A wide range of evening classes is provided in our schools and colleges during the pre-Christmas and post-Christmas terms each year. Enrolment takes place in September and January. For details of the courses available in each centre, please visit individual school websites, links to which and contact details are available at: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/evening-classes/.
Community Education
Community Education is a distinctive element of the adult education sector in Ireland and has the capacity to reach marginalized people in disadvantaged communities. Our community education service aims to enhance learning and empower people who will contribute to society. For further information, please see: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/adult-education/community-education-cef-aeo/.
Adult Basic Education Service
The Adult Basic Education Service (ABE) also provides small group and some 1-1 tuition in reading, writing and maths to adults with a basic skills need for adults with literacy difficulties. Generally NFQ levels 1-3 are offered. Information on how this service can be accessed is available at: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/adult-education/abe-itabe-alces/.
Back to Education Initiative
The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time Further Education programmes for young people and adults. This programme aims to give people an opportunity to combine a return-to-learning with family, work and other responsibilities. Information on how this service can be accessed is available at:
www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/adult-education/back-to-educaton-initiative/.
Adult Education Guidance Initiative
The aim of the Adult Guidance Service is to facilitate learners to make informed decisions about accessing education and training opportunities.
The focus of the guidance service is to offer educational and career guidance counselling to second-chance learners, whose previous lack of learning opportunities have been a barrier to progression through the education levels.
Further information and contact details for this service are available at: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/adult-education/adult-education-initiative/
Education Service Cork Prison
Cork ETB has been providing an education service to Cork Prison since 1978. The Education Service provides a broad programme that is quality assured, student centred and that facilitates life-long learning. Subjects taught include art, woodwork, home economics, literacy and numeracy. We also work to meet the needs of our students by helping them to respond to their sentence through personal development and positive renewal.
Further information and contact details for this service are available at: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/adult-education/education-unit-cork-prison/.
VTOS – Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second-chance education and training programme which provides courses of up to two years’ duration for unemployed people. Further details on how this service can be accessed may be seen at: www.cork.etb.ie/further-education-and-training/adult-education/vocational-training-opportunities-scheme-vtos/.
Youth Services
Youthreach
Youthreach programmes cater for 15-20 year-old early school-leavers, with little or no qualifications. The course subjects are learner-centred with a strong emphasis on achievement and on developing the capacities of the participants. Programmes seek to promote the participants’ sense of self-worth and identity as well as a pride in their abilities and work.
There are 11 Youthreach Centres operating in the Cork ETB region, each catering for approximately 25 students. Contact details for these centres and further information on the programmes they provide can be found at: www.cork.etb.ie/youth-services/youthreach/.
Centres for Youth
Cork City Learning Support Service
Operating as part of the “Youthreach Family”, Cork City Learning Support Services caters for students 12-18 years and has a capacity for 60-70 students. This service is an extension of the Youthreach Programmes and its purpose is to increase the participation in learning by young people identified as the least successful participants in their cohort of learning. Following participation on the programme, the aim is to facilitate:
- their integration into full-time schooling; or
- their continuation with the support service; or
- their referral to alternative services as appropriate.
Courses include a Pre-Junior Certificate course; Junior Certificate FETAC level 1, Safe Pass, Independent Living Skills etc.
For further information please see: www.youthreach.ie/centres/cork/cork-city-learning-support-services/
Cork ETB also works in partnership with a number of agencies which offer a variety of services for young people to provide them with access to education or to assist in their rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addictions, in both Residential and Day Centres in Cork City & County. Further information on these services is available at: www.cork.etb.ie/youth-services/centres-for-youth/.
Youth Club Grants
This Grants Scheme is administered by Cork ETB on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The scheme aims to support youth work activities in voluntary youth clubs and groups. Further information on the grants which are available may be found at: www.cork.etb.ie/youth-services/youth-club-grant/
Engagement with Industry
Cork ETB is committed to ensuring that its education and training programmes are and continue to be appropriate to the needs of the labour market. Close engagement with business and industry is, therefore, essential to ensuring that our graduates possess the relevant level and quality of ‘job ready’ skills that employers need.
In addition, work experience is an integral part of most of our courses and a vital part of the learning process. It also assists students to make the transition from education and training to employment, enhances the employability of the learner and is of direct benefit to employers.
Cork ETB also provides education and training programmes for those already in employment, to enable them to upgrade or enhance their skills for their current job or to prepare themselves for new roles.
More information on how Cork ETB can support business, may be obtained from our Industry Liaison Officer – contact details available at: http://cork.etb.ie/industry-links/.
Student Grants Scheme
Cork ETB administers a student grant scheme for the renewal of existing student grants to eligible PLC and third-level students.
All new student grant applications are administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Full information on how to apply for these grants is available at: www.susi.ie/.
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