QQI (FETAC) Training Courses available in NLN Sligo

Our Adult Education Courses in Sligo are designed so that you can either return to work or move onto further education.

Courses in Sligo

The Career Pathways programme is designed to support and prepare students with the necessary skills to make realistic vocational choices for further training or employment that is based upon their own strengths and needs.

We use a range of Personal Effectiveness and Self-Advocacy Skills that will assist students to become more assertive, to understand rights and make self-informed decisions. Training delivery is a blend of group work and one-to-one support for each student. This approach leads to QQI (FETAC) Level 3 & 4 certification and/or full or part-time employment or progression to high level training or education.

Certification: QQI Level 3 in Employability Skills (3M0935).

Certification: QQI Level 3 in Employability Skills (3M0935).

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The Career Pathways gives students the relevant knowledge and skills that relate to seeking employment. This programme is an 18-month course where students gain a recognised QQI Level 3 in Employability Skills 3M0935.

Core modules:
- Career Preparation
- Work Experience
- Application of Number
- Personal and Interpersonal Skills
Elective modules (students may select any 2 of the following):
- Personal Effectiveness
- Communications
- Computer Literacy
- Internet Skills
- Word Processing
- Health and Safety Awareness
- Personal Care and Presentation
We help students to develop personal qualities and strengths and build confidence, resilience and self-belief. National Learning Network, Sligo supports students to make informed choices for themselves.

One of our key modules is Work Experience, where students pursue a range of employment opportunities of their choosing, so they can learn the required skills and practical experience necessary to do that job. Past students have progressed to higher level programmes upon completion of the Career Pathways programme, while other students have gained full time employment.

The Customer Service course provides students with an ideal training environment to practice and develop the necessary skills for working in retail or in a customer service work environment. The course itself offers training in Customer Service, Stock Control, Team Working and Communications. Training for this course is hands on, with a blend of learning in the work place and in the classroom, which allows students to fully immerse themselves and experience work in the retail sector.

Certification: QQI Level 4 Retail Skills (4M1998).

Certification: QQI Level 4 Retail Skills (4M1998).

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This 18 month programme provides the essential skills required to succeed in a Customer Service or Retail role.

Students attend NLN Sligo to complete relevant course work three days per week (Mon, Wed & Fri) and gain valuable work experience with a variety of employers two days per week (Tues & Thurs).

Learning includes:
- Knowledge of the key principles of Customer Service
- Retail Sales Techniques
- Practical skills in understanding customer needs
- Methods of effective communication
- Know-how to successfully deal with customer service issues
- How to become a productive team member
- Retail payment procedures
- IT Skills
Successful completion of the course leads to a QQI Level 4 Major Award in Retail Skills (4M1998)

On course completion many of our students have gone on to take up employment immediately in shops, hotels, garages, offices, restaurants and many other retail environments.

The Horsemanship course is for people who want to work with horses. The Horsemanship course is designed to give students a hands-on learning experiences so that they can learn the skills, abilities and practical experience necessary to get a job within the equine industry.

Certification: QQI Level 4 Horsemanship (4M3154).

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Students of the Horsemanship programme work towards achieving a QQI Level 4 Major Award in Horsemanship, which equips them with the skills and experience to pursue a career working with horses. We cater for people with all levels of experience with horses. This is an 18 month programme with continuous intake, so new students can start at any time of the year.

The modules delivered on this programme are:
- Horse Riding
- Stable and Yard Routine
- Workplace Safety
- Work Experience
- Personal Effectiveness
- Personal and Interpersonal Development
- Team-Working
- Health Related Fitness
- Communications
We also provide training, transport and fees for the BHS Ride Safe exams.

Our time is divided between the NLN centre where we cover the theory work for the equine and non-equine modules; and Sligo Riding Centre where we cover the practical aspects of horse care, management and riding. Everyone works on their own programme at their own pace and with as much or as little guidance as is needed. On completion of the Horsemanship programme students are well prepared either to directly seek employment in the equine industry, or to further their education as suits their chosen career path.

The Information Technology and Office Skills (IT & Office Skills) course provides training in all aspects of office administration and allows students to pursue a career in an office or IT environment, or progress towards further training or education. The course is very person specific as it offers a wide range of skills in computer applications that you can learn at your own pace that are particularly relevant in today’s employment market. If you are interested in Information Technology and wish to improve your existing computer skills and learn how to use applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Sage, Excel, Desktop Publishing and Image Editing, then this course is for you.

Certification: QQI Level 5 Office Administration (5M1997).

Certification: QQI Level 5 Office Administration (5M1997).

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The IT and Office Skills programme is 2 years in duration and is open to individuals over the age of 16. The aim of the programme is to provide students with the necessary skills, training, qualifications and practical experience necessary to obtain employment as administrative & general office assistants or to access further education or training.

Completion of the programme leads to QQI Level 5 Certification in Office Administration or Information Processing.

The modules delivered on this programme are split into 2 sections:

Core: (all must be completed)
- Word Processing
- Text Production
- Information and Administration
- Work Experience
- Communications
- Customer Service
Elective: (any 2 from the following)
- Spreadsheet Methods
- Bookkeeping
- Payroll
- Database Methods
- Desktop Publishing
- Web Authoring
Additionally, many students complete more advanced aspects of Word Processing, Database and Spreadsheets and also Photo-editing which, although is not a certified module on the course, many students find useful. The Photo-editing module is especially useful to students who undertake the Desktop Publishing module.

As all our courses are run on a continual intake basis and all our students work at their own pace, more time is allocated for individual, one-to-one learning.