Community Development organisations in Ireland aim to achieve social change, equality and social justice. Community development workers have been presented with a number of opportunities and challenges over the recent years by the rapidly changing social context of Ireland including work with new communities, migrant workers and refugees, combating racism and challenging the persistence of other social and economic inequalities.

Community development seeks to empower communities and works across a range of services including information and advice, counselling, advocacy and support and targets an equally diverse range of people and areas of interest.

The broad aim of the programme is to provide an opportunity for people who are active in the community to achieve formal qualifications in the community work field.

This course has been developed in partnership with community groups and consists of lectures, workshops, and seminars, combined with a substantial practical element, based in the community. Participants will remain within the community setting, thereby sustaining their contribution to the community while developing the capacity to add value to that contribution through supervised and supported learning in the workplace.

Our mission is to educate and train future community development and youth workers to work in a range of settings in Ireland and internationally so that they can become active citizens and agents of change.

The course promotes principles of inclusion, human rights, equality and social justice, working towards sustainable development, and tackling issues such as inequality, climate change, poverty and disadvantage.

This course will equip learners with the tools and expertise needed to thrive in community driven environments. Throughout this course, you will delve into various modules that form the backbone of community development. Each module is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of fostering community growth and resilience. By exploring these modules, you'll gain practical skills in conflict resolution, effective team collaboration and a deep comprehension of psychological aspects crucial in community dynamics. The course promotes principles of inclusion, equality and social justice. This programme emphasises hands-on experience, encouraging students to apply learned theories to real-world scenarios, ensuring a well-rounded and practical skillset upon completion.

The aim of this one year full time course is to enable the learner to develop the knowledge, skills and competence to work under supervision in a range of community health service settings or to progress to further and/or higher education and training.

This one-year QQI Level5 course enables the learner to acquire the knowledge and skills required to make a meaningful impact in the field of community health. Throughout this course, you will study a range of essential modules, each tailored to provide a well-rounded understanding of healthcare practices. Students have access to a practical skillsroom to carry out simulated healthcare skills prior to work placement. The Work Experience module provides invaluable opportunities for you to apply your skills in actual healthcare settings.

This course is aimed at learners who wish to gain an initial qualification in one of the many areas of social studies. On completion of the courses learners will have gained the following skills:

• Social skills - teamwork, negotiation skills, initiative, ability to deal with people, conflict management
• Information gathering – literature searches, report writing, interviewing, designing surveys
• Analysis and synthesis skills – editing and synthesising information from a variety of sources, reading critically
• Project planning – identifying steps, resources, solving problems, dependability, initiative and being able to work on several tasks at once, time management
• Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of people – cognitive, perceptual, physical, emotional, social, development, personality
• Numerical, IT, statistical and inferential skills, analysis and presentation
• Oral and written communication skills, listening, speaking etc.

The youth work course supports the development of youth work practitioners as professionals, with an enhanced understanding of societal impacts on young people. Emphasis on human rights, social justice and equality are central themes within the modules.

Combined with the development of desired skill sets such as IT, programme development, and understanding of sociology, psychology and relationships, this course aims to educate youth workers with critical, essential skills for the youth work setting.

A course designed for school leavers or adults who wish to become complementary health therapists and want to develop their interest in the field of complementary therapies. Learners will acquire a deep knowledge of complementary therapy theory and practice and a new understanding of how these fit into the wider context of the health science.

This course offers an opportunity to get internationally recognised CIBTAC qualifications in a range of therapies to engage in professional practice.

Level 3 Cert.

This course leads to the CompTIA A+ certification, which has very wide recognition nationally and internationally. The programme teaches computer maintenance and software support skills as well as networking skills. In addition to the A+, some vital QQI components are also certified on this programme.