A new traditional weaving course has been developed by the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) in order to meet a shortage in the industry here.
The ‘Donegal Weaving Course’ is just one of over 120 full-time and part-time included in the ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) prospectus for 2021-2022.
The traineeship, which includes work experience, has been developed in partnership with many of the county’s leading weaving companies in response to a shortage of weavers trained in the Donegal style.
It is accredited by the Scottish Qualification Authority.
The first of its kind in the country, Donegal is the only ETB to offer such a course.
It is described in the prospectus as “Taking place in Kilcar, it offers the opportunity to gain the skills needed to work in this niche sector and contribute to the preservation of this heritage craft.”
It is one of three new courses, forty-week traineeships, which have been designed in conjunction with industry, to prepare students for direct entry into employment upon completion. Students will combine directed off-the-job training in a classroom with on-the-job training in a host company.
The Prospectus, for the upcoming academic year, 2021-2022, contains detailed information on over 120 full-time and part-time courses in a diverse range of areas.
They vary from Levels 1-6 including administration, business and finance; art, craft and design; construction and the built environment; courses for people with disabilities; customer care; early childhood care and education, engineering and manufacturing; enterprise engagement; family learning; general learning; hair and beauty; health and social care and horticulture.
The also include IT and computing; languages; Leaving Certificate for adults; professional programmes; sports, recreation and fitness; tourism and hospitality; transport and logistics; veterinary and the Youthreach programme for early school leavers.
The prospectus contains information on how to gain qualifications through the Recognition of Prior Learning process and supports for business.
Four new full-time courses have also been developed in Animal Care, Donegal Weaving, Communications Systems Installation and Network Planner with applications now being accepted for these.
You can find the best course for you through the ETB’s website course finder https://www.donegaletb.ie/further-education-training/course-finder/
The Communications Systems Installation traineeship has been developed to meet the needs of the communications cabling industry within the communication technologies sector.
The Network Planner traineeship will train applicants to develop the knowledge, skills and competence needed to work in the Network Planner industry.
Both sectors have seen huge growth in recent years and these traineeships have been developed in conjunction with leading telecommunications company KN Circet. They will take place in Letterkenny.
Speaking about the publication of the Prospectus, Donegal ETB’s Director of Further Education and Training, Cróna Gallagher said, “Donegal ETB’s mission is ‘to promote, provide and support accessible and inclusive education and training which enables young people and adults to empower themselves to reach their full potential in a safe and caring environment’: our FET Service provides a diverse range of vendor-certified NFQ Levels 1-6 courses in every corner of the county to meet this mission and I’m delighted to see all of these published together in this new Prospectus. There’s something for everyone and in 2020 almost 9,000 people across the county availed of our FET courses so we’re looking forward to welcoming many more new students to our courses this Autumn and next year.”
An online ‘FET Fortnight’ event takes place from 23 August with nightly videos on the ETB’s YouTube account at 8.00pm covering its most popular learning areas along with opportunities to meet their Adult Guidance and Recruitment staff.
Further details are available on their Facebook Events, other social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) and website (www.donegaletb.ie).
The ETB’s Prospectus can now be viewed on its website in the Publications and Resources section or contact the ETB’s Adult Guidance and Information Service by emailing adultguidance@donegaletb.ie or calling 074 9178088 for further information.
