Skills training linked to national development

Information

If you are interested in a career related to fisheries, food, hospitality, tourism, farming, forestry or crafts, you may find the course you are looking for amongst those offered by Government-funded agencies other than FÁS.

Each of the agencies described below is directly linked to a particular commercial or industrial sector and has a range of state-funded full-time and part-time vocational courses on offer.

You need to check out each individual course with regard to details such as entry requirements and training allowances as they can be very different. Some agencies, for example, offer training courses at third level. These particular courses require you to have formal qualifications and to apply through the Central Applications Office as you would for any other third-level course.

Courses are offered by the following organisations:

Fáilte Ireland

Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority of the island of Ireland. It is responsible for supporting the development of the Irish tourism industry.

If you are interested in developing your skills in the tourism and hospitality sector or embarking upon a professional career, there is a range of full-time and part-time courses offered by Fáilte Ireland that are available to you. These take place in institutes of technology, colleges of further education and other training centres. You can find the range of courses on the Fáilte Ireland website. 

Teagasc

Teagasc is Ireland's National Agriculture and Food Development Authority. It provides a range of services, which include advice, research, education and training, to the agricultural and food industries. It provides third-level and vocational courses for young people in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, equine studies and many more. It provides adult farmer courses in financial management, environment and options outside of mainstream farming and also has  training programmes for food industry personnel in food safety, quality, process and product development. You can view the range of Teagasc courses online.

Coillte

Coillte is the agency in Ireland responsible for managing state forests and any related commercial activities. Coillte works closely with those involved in timber production and provides services in Ireland in the areas of forestry, landscape and arboriculture. It is also involved in training, research engineering, forest nurseries, Christmas tree farms and the development of leisure facilities. Coillte training services provide a range of forestry industry training courses.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (The Irish Sea Fisheries Board) is the state agency for the development of the sea fishing and aquaculture industries. If you are unemployed and interested in education and training in the fishing or aquaculture industry or if you are already working in these industries and would like to upgrade your skills, you may find a course to suit you among those offered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. The courses include training in catching, fish farming (aquaculture) and seafood processing.

The Crafts Council of Ireland 

The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) is the national organisation for the development of the craft industry in Ireland. It aims to develop the market for Irish craft at home and abroad and to encourage excellence in Irish design and making. CCoI runs craft-related training courses, provides information, mounts exhibitions and organises "Showcase", an annual trade fair held each January in the RDS in Dublin.