FÁS training courses
Information
You are eligible to take part on a FÁS course if you are unemployed, redundant or out of full-time education. You may also be eligible if you are getting a disability-related social welfare payment or a One-Parent Family Payment.
SOLAS
A new further education and training authority called SOLAS (Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) is to be established. FÁS will be disbanded. Participants on current FÁS and further education courses will not be affected by the establishment of SOLAS and will continue their courses under the new authority.
Types of courses
There are different training programmes to suit the needs of people who are looking for a job or not in full-time education. The FÁS Traineeship Programme provides specific skills training together with relevant work experience. FÁS apprenticeships provide off-the-job training and on-the-job training with an employer. FÁS Specific Skills Training allows people who have lost their job or who are changing job to learn new job-related skills. Other types of FÁS course includes short courses, online courses, blended learning and evening courses.
The courses on offer vary from centre to centre and from year to year with different levels of certification. They can last anything from 2 weeks to 104 weeks depending on the programme area. The courses are run during the day and in the evenings and priority on daytime courses is given to unemployed people. Evening courses are open to everyone but generally there is a fee.
Work placements and skills development
The Work Placement Programme provides work experience for unemployed people. There is more information in our document on the Work Placement Programme.
JobBridge, National Internship Scheme provides work experience opportunities for unemployed people on the Live Register for 3 months. If they take up an internship they will keep their social welfare payment and will get an extra €50 per week. There is more information in our document on JobBridge.
If you are on short-time working you can contact your local Skillnets co-ordinator to enquire about training options.
Training allowances
Apart from evening courses FÁS training courses are free and you may be paid a training allowance for the duration of your course. You can also claim an accommodation allowance if you need to live away from home for the duration of the course or a travel allowance if you live 3 miles or more from the course centre. You may qualify for a free childcare place for your child.
Since January 2010, unemployed people who start a FÁS course do not get a training allowance when they start a FÁS course unless they are entitled to a qualifying payment, such as Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit. You can read more details in our document on FÁS training allowances.
Applying for a FÁS training course
In order to apply for a place on a FÁS training course, you must first register with your local FÁS Employment Services Office. You will be interviewed in order to identify the course that will best suit your needs. Due to the pressure on some courses, you may not get a place immediately on the course of your choice. You can search online for FÁS training courses.
Language
Related Documents
- Looking for work: education and training
If you are unemployed there is a range of different education and training opportunities. These include courses specifically for unemployed people. - JobBridge - National Internship Scheme
JobBridge, the National Internship scheme provides work experience opportunities for people on jobseeker's payments or signing for credits. - Work Placement Programme
The Work Placement Programme provides work experience for unemployed people.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.