Back to Education Initiative BTEI

The Back to Education Initiative (B. T. E. I.) provides part-time Further Education courses for young people and adults, particular priority is to target individuals and groups that experience particular and acute barriers to participation in education and deliver courses that reduce/overcome these barriers.

BTEI courses aim is to give people an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities.

Participation in BTEI part-time courses can provide opportunities to:

continue your learning
obtain national certification
develop new skills
pursue new employment options

There are a wide range of courses, all offering certification ranging from Level 3-6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Courses are offered on a part-time basis, in the mornings, afternoons, evenings or at weekends. Most courses are between 3-12 hours per week. There is no training allowance paid to participants on BTEI courses.

No course fees are payable by persons entitled to, or dependents of persons entitled to:

A Full Medical Card
An Unemployment Payment
A Means Tested Welfare Payment
A Family Income Support Payment

Persons who are currently in employment may be eligible for their course fees to be paid through the Skills to Advance funding stream, this may be 100% up to and including Level 5 courses and 70% for Level 6 courses. If you are eligible to pay fees the current cost is €150.00 per module (2019/2020).

How can I apply?
All BTEI courses are advertised on www.fetchcourses.ie, you can apply directly through this website, alternatively you can contact your local BTEI centre for further information and application forms (list below) or you can contact your local MSLETB Adult Guidance Service (Castlebar, Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon or Claremorris)