ESC – European Solidarity Corp

ESC – European Solidarity Corp

European Solidarity Corps

 The ESC is an EU funded programme. Once you are accepted onto an ESC project, all your expenses (rent, food, transport, insurance, visa procedures, language classes) are covered by the project, and you even get a bit of pocket money to enjoy your experience fully! Your travel costs are also covered although there may be a minimal contribution towards travel required.

  1. Register with the European Solidarity Corps
  2. Create a profile – take some time to fill in the personal information on your profile, and to attach an updated CV. Take good care of it, it is your way of being interesting for the receiving organizations! We can always help you with this!
  3. Search the ESC database – all of the ESC vacancies/ opportunities are listed there.
  4. Find a Sending Organisation here in Ireland – your Youth Information Centre (us!) can help you with this.
  5. Contact the Overseas Organisation (host) – Your sending organisation will help you with this!
  6. Send your CV and a motivational letter (about half a page) describing why you want to do ESC with this organisation.  Remember, ESC is not about the qualifications you have or how much work experience you have. Projects are looking for volunteers who are motivated, willing and enthusiastic, who will make a good fit with their organisation.
  7. Plan & prepare: It can take from 2 – 6 months in total to plan an ESC project. Your sending organisation is there to explain everything to you and support you throughout the process. Your sending organisation will carry out some pre-departure training with you. The content will depend on you!  
  8. Projects can range from 2 – 12months. However, it’s also worth noting that under special circumstances an EVS duration can be less than 2 months.

So Get Started Early & Get Focused!!!!

DiscoverEU

DiscoverEU

What is DiscoverEU?

DiscoverEU is an action of the Erasmus+ programme that gives you the opportunity to discover Europe through learning experiences. Travelling predominantly by rail (there are exceptions to allow those living on islands or in remote areas), you will discover Europe’s stunning landscapes and its variety of cities and towns. You can apply during the two application rounds which take place each year. Successful applicants are awarded with a travel pass.

As an 18-year-old resident of the European Union or of one of the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme like Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey, DiscoverEU offers you the opportunity to participate in a travel experience that will enable you to explore Europe’s diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent. Furthermore, DiscoverEU enables you, as a young person, to develop life skills of value to your future, such as independence, confidence, and openness to other cultures.

As of 2023, the selected participants will receive a DiscoverEU discount card with discounts on cultural visits, learning activities, sports, local transportation, accommodation, food etc.

What is covered financially?

The cost of the rail ticket is covered & you will be given two options.

Fixed: travel between 2 Countries or 2 Cities in 1 Country.         

     Or

Flexi: as many countries as you can fit in up to 30 days. (At least one Country other than your home Country)

How to apply: –

  • DiscoverEU gives young people age 18 the opportunity to Interrail around Europe for up to 1 month (30 days)
  • Young people can apply to travel alone or in groups of 5 @ https://europa.eu/youth/discovereu_en
  • To enter in the general deadline you will be asked to complete a 5 question quiz
  • When the application process closes you will receive an answer by email, good luck

How does it work:

You will have 7 travel days max in the 30 day period;

For example: depart Ireland to France = 1 travel day. Stay in France for 3 days then depart France to Spain = 2nd Travel day

Results for the October round will be announced in January 2024 and applicants will be notified accordingly by email.

The next application round is planned to open in spring 2024 (specific dates will be announced later). If you are 18 or about to turn 18 in the first half of 2024, watch this space for your DiscoverEU travel pass.

Eurodesk

Eurodesk

Eurodesk

Eurodesk provides free information on opportunities-such as travelling, working, studying and volunteering in Europe–for young people aged 13 – 30. 

They are part of a large network of European Eurodesk points, with over 1,200 offices throughout Europe, with headquarters in Brussels. You can check out the European-wide Eurodesk website: www.eurodesk.eu 

Eurodesk Ireland https://eurodesk.ie/

Should you have any further questions please contact KDYS Youth Information Officers.

 

Kerry Education and Training Board & Tertiary Education

Kerry Education and Training Board & Tertiary Education

Kerry Education and Training Board, promoting the development of learning society in all of Kerry. 

KETB Core Values

Our core values centre on ensuring that every person has a right to access education and training opportunities to realise their potential. We will actively implement these values through our actions and behaviours.

KETB Mission

To create and promote the development of a lifelong learning society in Kerry, so that all who live there have access to the education and training required to fulfil their potential and to meet their personal, social, cultural, economic and civic needs. Click here to KETB website

Tertiary Education Routes

FE (Further Education) to HE (Higher Education) – This new scheme allows you to start your degree course in a local FE College and then progress with guaranteed access to continue your degree studies in higher education institution (University or Institute of Technology). For Example, General Nursing degree which will start for one year in a College of Further Ed (PLC) in Kerry College of Further Education and finish up in for University or Institute of Technology for 4 years. Students will not go through the traditional progression route system, to see if they get a college place from a PLC for these specific courses. They will be guaranteed access subject to passing exams.

More information and how to apply go to https://nto.hea.ie/

Colleges of Further Education- Colleges of Further Education offer post leaving cert courses that are a mixture of academic, practical, and work experience. These courses are a great option as they are designed as a step towards skilled employment and, as such, they are closely linked to industry and its needs. The courses are full-time and last for one to two years and you receive a QQI level 5 or 6.

You do not apply for these courses through the CAO. All queries go through the FET Course Hub. https://www.fetchcourses.ie/

FET Courses- FET (Further Education and Training) is for anyone who is over 16 who wants to learn new skills or enhance existing skills to get the right job, progress to third-level or to support the achievement of personal goals.

FET offers a wide variety of life-long education options, including apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community, and adult education as well as core literacy and numeracy services. FET courses and programmes are provided through the Education and Training Board network throughout the country as well as through other local providers including online through SOLAS’ eCollege.

Apprenticeships – An apprenticeship is the recognised way people train in a craft trade or profession. It gives you an opportunity to combine education with hands-on experience while earning a wage. Common apprenticeships include construction, electrical, engineering, hospitality or cooking, mechanics, or IT. There are two types of apprenticeships: Craft or Professional. Craft Apprenticeships:  You can train to become a plasterer or electrician etc.  While you are training, you work with an employer learning the necessary skills and receive a wage. Most apprenticeships last 4 years. Apprentices must be at least 16 years of age and have a minimum of grade D in any five subjects in the Junior Certificate or equivalent. However, employers may require additional minimum qualifications. To apply for a place on an apprenticeship, you must first register with SOLAS https://www.solas.ie/ . Professional Apprenticeships:  NFQ Level 5 to 9 is offered through the individual industries in areas as diverse as; financial services, accounting, medical devices, software development etc.

Garda Síochana- Applications for the position of Garda Trainee are made by way of an online application process which is managed by the Public Appointments Service https://www.publicjobs.ie./en/. Applicants must be 18 but not yet 35 years of age.  For education requirements and other information check out https://www.garda.ie/en/

Qualifax- All our course information is up-to-date and searchable which means you can easily find, compare, and share your choices with a guidance counsellor, parent or anyone else who is helping you decide what’s the next right step – and at your own pace, in your own time.

The Qualifax website is designed to let you:

For more information visit their website: https://www.qualifax.ie/

 

National Colleges & Universities

National Colleges & Universities

Colleges in Munster

Munster Technological University- The Munster Technological University, a multi-campus technological university with 6 campuses located in the Southwest of Ireland. The MTU was established in January 2021 from a merger between the Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Tralee. The MTU brings together a long proud heritage of excellence in higher education in Ireland, to create a new and exciting global University centred on delivering the very best quality education for the student, the region and the wider world. https://www.mtu.ie/

University College Cork (UCC)- When you begin your journey at UCC you will belong to a vibrant and diverse community of over 24,000 students from over 100 countries, from all over the world. We have been named as one of the world’s top universities for the study of 23 subjects, according to the latest edition of the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject. UCC has ranked in the top 50 universities for Nursing and top 100 for Agriculture and Forestry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology and Law. https://www.ucc.ie/en/

University of Limerick (UL) – On their award-winning campus students can study in a safe and supportive environment. The University of Limerick has been voted number one in the world for student experience. UL offers more than 70 undergraduate programmes and a strong postgraduate offering with more than 100 taught postgraduate programmes to Doctoral and Post-doctoral level.https://www.ul.ie/

Higher Education Institutions Ireland 

For further information please link HERE https://hea.ie/higher-education-institutions/