Community Training

Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) partner with community groups and other agencies to provide training for those deemed to be disadvantaged.  Learners participating in community training programmes are offered the opportunity to complete QQI Major Awards at Levels 3 and 4.

Training is provided across three different programme types:

1. Community Training Centre (CTC)

LOETB works in partnership with Tullamore Community Training Centre (CTC) to provide community based training for early school leavers as part of the national Youthreach programme.Community Training Centres are independent, community-based organisations which provide training and related supports for early school leavers primarily aged between 16 – 21 years who have left school with no formal or incomplete qualifications.Learners in CTCs develop individualised learning plans and participate in personal, social and vocational skills training and development leading to major awards on the National Framework of Qualifications. Tullamore CTC is managed locally by Tullamore and District Youth Endeavour Ltd at Kilcruttin Business Park, Tullamore.

2. Local Training Initiative (LTI)

An LTI programme is a community-based training programme targeted at 18-34 year olds who are economically, socially, geographically or educationally disadvantaged. The overall aim of the LTI programme is to assist unemployed people, not otherwise catered for through other LOETB interventions, to move towards employment by providing community-based training and work experience leading to nationally recognised qualifications. Offaly Local Development Company, Offaly Traveller Movement and Youth Work Ireland Laois are currently contracted (as Second Providers) to deliver the LTI Programmes in the LOETB area. At the moment there are LTIs operating in Edenderry, Tullamore, and Portlaoise with more LTIs planned for 2023.

3. Specialised Training Provider (STP)

LOETB contracts the National Learning Network to deliver training programmes for people with disabilities.  These programmes offer more intensive support than is available in non-specialist training provision.

Key features of this specialist vocational training include:
• Additional training duration
• Adapted equipment
• Transport arrangements
• Enhanced programme content
• Enhanced trainer-learner ratio.

A range of specialist courses is available at two levels of training, Introductory Skills Training (IST) and Skill Specific Training (SST).  The specialist training provision includes in-centre; employer based and blended learning approaches to accommodate learners’ training needs.

The NLN provides these programmes at its Training Centres in Portlaoise and Tullamore.

Further information on the programmes offered under each category are available through the Course Finder section on the LOETB homepage.

Learners wishing to join community training programmes should contact the training provider directly to request further information.  Relevant contact details are available under each course listing.

The CTC is co-funded by the Irish Government and the ESF+ fund 2021 – 2027 which incorporates the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD) and the directly managed Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) Programme.