Bishopstown Campus organises and funds a wide variety of community-based training programmes under three distinct categories of Community Training Centre, Local Training Initiatives, and Specialist Training Providers.

Community Training Centres:

Community Training Centres (CTCs) are full time programme which provide training for early school leavers to help them progress to employment or to further education. A CTC is managed by a local community group and funded by an Education and Training Board (ETB).

Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus, supports and funds two CTCs:

• Blackpool Glen Farranree Community Training Centre – BGFCTC
• Mayfield Community Training Centre

Blackpool Glen Farranree Community Training Centre:

Blackpool Glen Farranree Community Training Centre (BGFCTC) is located in the former Wolsey Milling Building in the Sunbeam Industrial Estate.

BGFCTC opened its doors in 1984, and offers QQI Level 3 and Level 4 awards in Catering, Computer Applications, Retail Skills, Hairdressing and Multiskills (woodwork) to early school leavers aged 16 to 21 years of age.

Contact:
Blackpool CTC,
Unit 5 Sunbeam Industrial Estate,
Commons Road, Cork.
T: (021) 439 5447
E: admin@blackpoolgfctc.ie

Mayfield Community Training Centre:

Founded in 1985, Mayfield Community Training Centre offers QQI Level 3 and Level 4 awards in Business Skills, Construction Skills, Culinary Skills, Multi Skills, Sports & Recreation, and Tourism & Hospitality.

Additional classes are provided in Art, Gym, Communications, mathematics and personal development.

Contact:
Mayfield CTC,
Unit 1A Mayfield Business Park,
Mayfield, Cork.
T: (021) 450 4822
E: admin@mayfieldctc.ie

FAQ’s:

How much does the course cost?
There are no course fees for the CTC courses.

What hours are involved?
CTCs are full time programmes, which run from Monday to Friday.

What funding is available?
If you are in receipt of social welfare payment, you may be entitled to a training allowance for the programme duration of the course.

How is the course assessed ?
CTC courses are assessed through continuous assessment, practical skills demonstration and examination.

Is there work experience?
Yes, there is work experience associated with the courses.

What are the progression opportunities?
Learners who successfully complete a QQI Level 3 or Level 4 Award in a CTC can progress to further education within Cork College of FET.

Local Training Initiatives (LTI):

Local Training Initiatives (LTIs) offer training in a variety of skill areas and are open to anyone who is unemployed, aged 18 to 35 years. Local Training Initiative courses are offered in a range of areas typically including Sports and Recreation, Information Technology skills, Employability Skills, Music, Culinary Skills, Horticulture.

LTI courses are designed to provide opportunities for learners who are unable to participate in other training for personal, social, and geographic reasons.

Cork ETB, through its Cork College of FET, Bishopstown Campus currently organises and funds LTIs in:

• Ardfoyle (Horticulture)
• Bruac
• Cork Academy of Music
• Cork WIN
• East Cork Music
• FAI Soccer Academy Carrigaline
• FAI Soccer Academy Blarney
• Macroom Good Lives
• Cumann na Daoine Community Development Youghal

FAQ’s:

How much does the course cost?
There are no course fees for LTI courses.

What hours are involved?
Local training Initiatives are full time programmes, which run from Monday to Friday.

What funding is available?
If you are in receipt of social welfare payment, you may be entitled to a training allowance for the programme duration.

How is the course assessed?
LTI courses are assessed through a mixture of continuous assessment, examination and practical demonstration.

Is there work experience?
Yes, work experience is part of LTI programmes.

Progression opportunities?
Learners who successfully complete a QQI Level 3 or Level 4 Award in a LTI can progress to further education within Cork College of FET.

Specialist Training Providers (STP):

Specialist Training Providers (STPs) provide education and training opportunities for people with additional support needs. Applicants must have needs which cannot be met in a non-specialist learning environment.

Programmes are learner-focused; nationally recognised, accredited and are open to people who are 16 years and older. Courses are intended to assist people to enter or re-enter the labour market, particularly those who are experiencing exclusion and labour market disadvantage.

STP programmes funded by Bishopstown Campus include:

• National Learning Network Bantry
• National Learning Network Seward House, Model Farm Road
• National Learning Network Hollyhill

FAQ’s:

How much does the course cost?
There are no course fees for the STP courses.

What hours are involved?
STPs run as a full-time course, Monday to Friday.

What funding is available?
If you are in receipt of social welfare payment, you may be entitled to a training allowance for the programme duration.

How is the course assessed?
STPs are assessed through a combination of practical demonstration and written assessment.

Is there work experience?
Yes, there is Work Experience on STP programmes.

Progression opportunities?
Learners who successfully complete a QQI Level 3 or Level 4 Award in a STP can progress to further education within Cork College of FET.