European Social Funding Plus
Kildare and Wicklow ETB further education and training programmes are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). For more information on EU funding in Ireland, visit www.eufunds.ie.
What is ETB Training? ETB Training supports unemployed persons and other jobseekers to gain the skills, qualifications and experience needed to obtain employment, improve employment opportunities, or progress to further education and training. Training is delivered through a wide range of programmes designed to respond to labour market needs and support individuals in developing industry-relevant skills and recognised qualifications. ETB Training is delivered through 3 main programme categories: Specific Skills Training (SST), Traineeships and Bridging/Foundation Courses.
Specific Skills Training (SST) – Specific Skills Training programmes are designed to meet identified industry and employer needs across a range of sectors. These full-time programmes typically take six months to complete and lead to accreditation at NFQ Levels 4–6 or certification from a recognised awarding body. Courses are available throughout the year and support individuals entering the labour market for the first time, returning to employment, or seeking to update or acquire new skills.
Traineeships – Traineeships provide occupation-specific training that combines formal learning with workplace experience and coaching from a host employer. These programmes typically take between four and nine months to complete and lead to accreditation at NFQ Levels 4–6 or certification from a recognised awarding body. Traineeships are developed in partnership with industry and provide learners with practical skills and experience relevant to specific occupations.
Bridging / Foundation Courses – Bridging / Foundation Courses are designed to support learners in progressing to employment, further education or vocational training. These programmes are particularly suitable for individuals who are distant from the labour market, returning to employment after a prolonged absence, or seeking to build confidence and skills before progressing to further training opportunities. Courses may be short or long duration and generally lead to accreditation at NFQ Levels 3 and 4. These courses provide training interventions that emphasise personal development, career planning, confidence-building and basic occupational or vocational skills.
​Further Information – For information on course availability, eligibility criteria, application procedures and start dates, please visit FETCH Courses, using the search location as ‘Kildare’ or ‘Wicklow’ to view all currently available courses. You can also phone/email us.
Kildare and Wicklow Further Education and Training
Kildare and Wicklow ETB programmes support learners in developing the skills and knowledge required for employment and further education through practical, industry-relevant learning opportunities across multiple sectors.
Our Further Education and Training Centres offer part-time, full-time and online educational options for young people and adult learners around Kildare and Wicklow. Courses at your local FET Centre give you an opportunity to learn for life and learn for work.
FET includes Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Skills Courses, Community and Adult Education, and core literacy and numeracy services. We offer a wide range of courses: certified and uncertified; full-time and part-time; daytime and evening. Our FET Centres provide our students with a friendly and supportive learning environment, up-to-date facilities and the latest digital technology. Class sizes are small and learning support is available to help you meet your goals.
A FET course with Kildare and Wicklow ETB offers you a chance to build your skills and confidence, develop your employability skills, take the next step towards further and higher education, or retrain in a new field. We are confident that you will find the right course with Kildare and Wicklow ETB. We know that you’ll enjoy learning with us.
