Back To Education Initiative

Activities

Presentation of Certificates

Tuesday 22nd May 2007

Education Centre, Kildare Town, Co Kildare

Presentation of FETAC Certs to BTEI participants - 2006/2007

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What is BTEI?

BTEI – the Back to Education Initiative provides part-time further education programmes for young people and adults. The aim of BTEI is to give people who would like to return to learning the opportunity to update their skills and knowledge in a flexible way. This means that people can combine a return to learning with family and other commitments.

Co Kildare VEC – BTEI

BTEI started in County Kildare in November 2002. It is co-ordinated by Kildare VEC and to date has provided approximately 2000 adults and young people with the opportunity to return to learning. Courses were run in Naas, Newbridge, Kildare Town, Athy, Derrinturn, Allenwood, Celbridge, Rathangan and Leixlip.

Where and when are courses held?

Courses are held throughout County Kildare. All BTEI courses are offered on a part-time basis. They are held in the mornings, afternoons, evenings or weekends.

Outreach Facilities – a Community Approach

One of the main aims of BTEI is to bring educational opportunities to the local community. This means that programmes can be run in local areas using local facilities. In this way, further education and a chance to return to learning can be accessible to everyone.

BTEI programmes are also organised in collaboration with local and community groups such as: KARE, Kildare Traveller Network, Allenwood CDP, Athy CDP, Rehabcare, Irish Wheelchair Association, Newbridge Family Resource Centre, Bishopsland Residents Group, Ashgrove Residents Group, St Patricks Park Association, Celbridge Education Support Group, Kildare Womens Group, Newbridge Active Retired, Naomh Brid Ladies Club, Newbridge Asylum Seekers Support Group, Mount Offaly Hostel, Down Syndrome Association, Crooked Sixpence Drama Group, Network Kildare, Flinters Respond Group.

If you are involved in your local community group and would like to organise a course in your local area contact Mary Whelan BTEI Co-ordinator.

Who can take part in a BTEI programme?

Anyone who has left full-time education can take part in a course being offered, but priority is given to those with less than the Leaving Certificate.

How much does a course cost?

Individuals will have different entitlements.

Free tuition is available if you are in receipt of:

an unemployment payment

a means-tested social welfare benefit

a medical card

or a dependent of any of the above.

If you are unwaged with less than upper second-level education you are entitled to a reduction in fees.

For anyone else a full fee is charged.

Will I be paid while attending a BTEI Course?

Payments are made only to those students who are eligible for:

full-time Youthreach

full-time Traveller Training Programme

If you are in receipt of a social welfare payment, continued entitlement to benefit is subject to satisfying the Department of Social and Family Affairs as to your continued eligibility for the schemes. You should discuss your individual circumstances with your local Social Welfare Office.

What Courses Are Available?

A wide variety of BTEI courses are offered by County Kildare BTEI including:

Basic and Intermediate Computers

Drama

Art and Craft (painting, stained glass, textiles, woodwork, ceramics)

Childcare and Special Needs Assistant

Personal Development

Food and Health

Work Experience

Multi-media Studies

Business and Secretarial Studies

Book-keeping and Accounts

Communication Skills

Languages

Does BTEI offer courses that offer National Certification?

Yes, all courses offered through BTEI provide participants with the opportunity to work towards FETAC Certification which is recognised nationally by employers and other education and training organisers. This means that you have a qualification that is of value and can be used at anytime whether you wish to continue with your education or when applying for jobs. Most participants work towards certification but this is not compulsory; you can still participate on a course and not avail of certification.

What are the beneifits of a BTEI course?

continue my learning

develop new skills

develop my confidence

pursue new work options

meet other people

obtain a national certificate

What Supports are available to me as a BTEI student?

BTEI operates a student-centred approach to adult learning which incorporates the following support system:

Mentoring

One-to-one tuition

Help with reading, writing and maths

Help with assignments

The Adult Education Information Resource Centre

This office is located on Georges Street, Newbridge and it offers information, guidance counselling and personal counselling to BTEI students.

Where Can I go From BTEI?

There are many options available to you either while you are participating on or finishing a BTEI course. You can progress to:

another BTEI course

VTOS – full-time education for adults

Youthreach – full-time education for young people

FAS and other vocational training programmes

employment

third level courses

BTEI Courses Currently Running

All courses offered through BTEI provide participants with theopportunity to work towards FETAC Certification which is recognisednationally by employers and other education and training organisers. This means that you have a qualification that is ofvalue and can be used at anytime whether you wish to continue with youreducation or when applying for jobs. Most participants work towards certification but this is not compulsory; you can still participate on a course and not avail of certification.

On successful completion of one module you will receive a Record of Achievement Certificate from FETAC.

On successful completion of 8 modules at Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5you will receive a Full Award. Some modules are mandatory andothers are optional.

Below is a list of BTEI courses currently running.

BTEI Courses Currently Running
Course	Details
Basic Computers	Certificate: Computer Literacy – Level 3, Record of Achievement Prior educational requirements – none This is an introductory computer course and includes: - How to turn on and shutdown the computer. - Introductionto MSWord, Excel and Paint or Powerpoint - BasicTheory - Using a printer
Intermediate Computers	Certificate: IT – Level 4, Record of Achievement Prior educational requirements – a basic knowledge of computers and includes: - MS Word - Keyboard Skills - FileManagement - Internet/Email - Theory Duration:25 weeks (2 hours per week)
Introduction to Childcare	Certificate: Childcare – Level 3, Record of Achievement Prior educational requirements – none Introduction to childcare Duration: 15 weeks (2 hours per week)
Childcare Level 4	Certificate: Childcare – Level 4, Record of Achievement Prior educational requirements – basic childcare course or experience of child minding. Duration: 20 weeks (3 hours per week)
Childcare level 5	Certificate: Childcare Level 5, Full award Prior educational requirements – a Childcare Level 4 module. The Childcare Level 5 Award is the minimum qualification requiredtowork in childcare. 8 modules must be completed to gain thefull award including work experience. Duration: 2 years (3 hoursper week)
Special Needs Assistant	Certificate: Special Needs Assisting Skills Level 5, Record of Achievement Prior educational requirements: a Childcare Level 4 module.This module is designed for people working or intending to work as special needs assistants. Can be completed as part of Childcare Level 5 Full Award or as a stand alone module. Duration: 20 weeks (3 hours per week)
General Education	Certificate: Record of Achievement for each Level 3 or Level 4 module completed Prior educational requirements: none A course for people who wish to return to education and want to exploretheir options. Modules may include: - Personal and Interpersonal Skills - Communication Skills - Work Preparation - Food and Health - Basic/Intermediate Computers Duration:1 year (2 mornings a week)
Business/Secretarial	Certificate: Business/Secretarial Level 5, Full award Prior educational requirements – a level 3 or level 4 module orgeneral education course. This course is for people who wish to work in an office and includes:advanced computers, secretarial skills,customerservice, manual andcomputerised accounts and work experience. 8 modules must becompleted to gain the full award including work experience. Duration: 2 years (2 mornings per week)
Languages	Certificate: Level 3, Record of Achievement Prior educational requirements: none Languages may include: - Spanish - French - English - Irish Duration:15 weeks (2 hours per week)
Sound Engineering	Certificate: Level 5, Record of Achievement Prior educational requirements: none. Gain hands on-experience of operating recording studio equipment, mix and record music. Duration: 20 weeks (3 hours per week)
The Arts	Certificate: Record of Achievement for each Level 3 or Level 4 module Completed Modules may include: - Drama - Art and Design - GlassCraft - Woodwork - Textiles - Painting - Drawing

Who do I contact for more information or to enrol?

Mary Whelan – BTEI Co-ordinator
Adult Basic and Community Education
Jigginstown
Naas
Co Kildare
Tel: 045-881863
Fax: 045-881254
Email: mwhelan@abce.ie