Springboard Courses

Who is it for?

Springboard programmes are open to all employed, unemployed and returner applicants. Full details on eligibility for the Springboard+ scheme can be found here.

How much are the fees?

Level 7 and 8 programmes are 90% funded for those in employment and 100% funded for those on a qualifying social welfare payment.

Why complete a Springboard programme?

Every single Springboard+ course qualifies students in a growing industry sector with a high demand for new personnel, such as Data Analytics and Cybersecurity.

Since Springboard+ courses cater specifically to the unemployed, homemakers and other non-traditional students, a variety of study options are available. Part-time courses and blended learning options give jobseekers and working individuals the flexibility to continue pursuing their work endeavours as they expand opportunities with practical new skills. Likewise, full-time courses are available for students seeking to quickly qualify for new positions, many taking place over a single academic year. For homemakers, Springboard courses can lead to work from home jobs opportunities in exciting, lucrative fields.

How will programmes be delivered?

Most of these programmes are delivered part-time and in a ‘blended format’ ie. a mix of online and classroom delivery. Blended Learning programmes can have between 20% and 80% of the content delivered online with the remaining involving either evening lectures / practical / tutorials delivered at City Colleges. This allows our students to work and study at a time and pace suitable to them.

Am I eligible for Springboard+?

Springboard+ courses are designed to help you gain the skills necessary to either obtain employment in industry areas where there is an increasing need or to upskill in your current job.

To be considered eligible for a place on a Springboard+ course, you will need to:

1. be living fulltime in the Republic of Ireland
2. have your own, valid PPS Number
3. meet the nationality/visa requirement
   • You are an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss national or:
   • You have Stamp 4/Stamp 4 EU FAM, Stamp 5, or Stamp 6 on your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. This includes those resident here on Stamp 4 on the basis of:
     • having permission to remain in Ireland as a family member of an EU citizen or;
     • having official Refugee/Subsidiary Protection status in Ireland /being here on the basis of refugee family reunification or;
     • having been granted Humanitarian Leave to Remain in the State (prior to the Immigration Act 1999) or;
     • having permission to remain following the Minister’s decision not to make a deportation order.
4. have lived in either the EU, the EEA, the UK, Switzerland for at least 3 out of the last 5 years
   • If you are a Stamp 4/Stamp 4 EU FAM, Stamp 5, or Stamp 6 holder, residency is calculated from the date you first received this stamp. Any residency before this time cannot be counted.
   • If you have Refugee/Subsidiary Protection status in Ireland, residency is counted from the date you applied for International Protection.

When applying for a course through Springboard+ you will also need to apply on the basis of either being:

• Employed – working either for yourself or someone else.
• Unemployed – not currently working, receiving a qualifying welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection (unless you are formerly self-employed) and actively seeking employment.
• A Returner – a Homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months.
• A Recent Graduate – a graduate from a full-time NFQ Level 8 degree within the 12 months prior to the start of a Springboard+ course and who does not fit into one of the above categories.

Your eligibility is assessed based on your status on the date your course first starts. You will need to meet the eligibility criteria on that date. Documentary evidence of this will be requested during the course before a fee payment is made on your behalf.

Please click HERE for list of supporting documentation.

As places on Springboard+ courses are limited, applicants who are on a qualifying Social Welfare payment will always take priority over others.

Click on a link below to read more about the conditions and requirements for eligibility, including what you will need to do to confirm your status.

Download here

Social welfare payments:

• Jobseeker’s Benefit
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Disability Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Farm Assist/Fish Assist
• Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
• Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension
• Blind Pension
• Deserted Wife’s Allowance
• Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP)

You can also apply for Springboard+ if:

• You are a qualified adult of working age (under 66) on someone else’s social welfare payment
• You are signing for social insurance credits

City Education Group Springboard Courses