Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are the largest providers of education and training in Ireland with 27 Community National Schools, 250 post primary schools, youth services and over 500 further education and training centres in the state. ETBs delivered further education & training to an estimated 200,000 learners in 2020.
From the school leaver examining their options to the silver surfer looking to update their IT skills (and everything in between), ETBs provide lifelong learning for all.
The breadth of offerings (Post Leaving Certificate Courses, the latest traineeship and apprenticeship programmes, back to education initiatives and community education) is matched by the diversity of delivery methods (part-time, full time, in person, online). But where to start?
Here’s a quick guide to your routes to further education and training in your local Education & Training Board:
www.fetchcourses.ie
www.fetchcourses.ie is the Further Education & Training Course Hub where you can access information on all your further education & training options through their course finder search facility. They also have information on the grants and allowances available.
www.cao.ie
The CAO portal now includes many further education and training options (levels 5 & 6) and apprenticeships (levels 5-10).
www.smartchoices.ie
www.smartchoices.ie provides information on the labour market and Further Education & Training options for students, employees and unemployed in the current and emerging jobs market.
gov.ie/therightcourse
https://gov.ie/therightcourse is a one-stop shop for accessing upskilling options and advice including career guidance
www.etbi.ie
You can also contact your local Education & Training Board via the ETBI Directory of Ireland’s 16 ETBs on www.etbi.ie
A Few Stats
~ 16 Education & Training Boards
~ Deliver Further Education & Training to 200,000+ learners each year
~ Via 4,000+ programmes
~ In 500 FET centres nationwide including 124 Post Leaving Certificate Colleges
Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) is the national representative body for our member ETBs and comprises of the staff of ETBI, the ETBI Chief Executives, Directors of Further Education and Training, Directors of Schools, Directors of Organisation, Support and Development Forums and the respective networks and groups associated with these forums.
Our mission is to lead and advance the continued development of education, training and youth work in Ireland and our vision is to harness our strength to influence and promote a strong education and training sector through collaboration and collective effort.
ETBI is guided by the core values of excellence, care, equality, community and respect and our strategic goals focus on delivering under the themes of people, partnership, and potential.
