Ecology & Practical Fieldwork Skills - Applied Ecology
This course is highly practical and focuses on the key skills and knowledge necessary for working in an ecologically based role. Learners will be able to demonstrate strategies and practices to help foster a more environmentally-friendly society.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
40 weeks.
Entry Requirements
Minimum:
Applicants must have reached the current statutory school leaving age (16+).
Leaving Cert, LCVP, LCA or QQI Level 4 Major Award is essential.
Mature applicant route available for applicants aged 23+.
Competent written and spoken English (CEFR B2 or Higher).
Non-EU/EEA applicants must have permission to work in Ireland.
Additional:
An interest in ecology, sustainability and biodiversity.
Good numerical skills.
Basic Computer IT/Skills.
Leaving Cert Biology or equivalent is desirable.
A driving licence is desirable.
Garda vetting is a requirement for this programme and participation is subject to a satisfactory outcome of the Garda vetting process.
Careers / Further progression
What are the progression opportunities?
Graduates may be eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to a range of higher certificate and degree programmes at Institutes of Technology and Universities.
Such courses include:
University College Cork (UCC) – BSc in Applied Plant Biology, Earth Science, Ecology & Environmental Biology, Environmental Science or Zoology
Munster Technological University (MTU) – Tralee – BSc in Wildlife Biology or the BSc in Environmental Outdoor Learning.
Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) – Applied Bioscience
Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) BSc Forestry
Dublin City University (DCU) – Environment Science and Technology
National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway- BSc Marine Science
University of Limerick (UL) – BSc Environmental Science & Climate
Additionally, learners may choose to progress directly into the job market and bring their ecological knowledge to the works and practices of any sector. This type of expertise will hopefully see the decisions made in all sectors centred around the sustainability of our environment.
What are the employment opportunities?
Learners may seek employment with organisations such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service as general operatives, gardeners, horticultural assistants or rangers. The Office of Public Works and other organisations that manage estates, gardens and historic sites as general operatives, horticultural assistants also offer potential for employment. Learners from this course could work with ecological consultants assisting with field surveys, habitat assessments, flora & fauna surveys & monitoring. Additionally, one could become a self-employed carrying out ecological surveying and recording. Another avenue for employment is with Coillte and the forestry sector in tree nurseries and woodland management. With a variety of environmental organisations working on sustainability initiatives for communities (both rural & urban) a learner is sure to find employment suited to their newly acquired skills and knowledge.
Further information
Start Date: 02/09/2024.
Learners on full-time programmes at Kerry College have a number of funding options.
1. DEASP (Department of Employment and Social Protection). Contact your local INTREO office.
2. SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Apply at: www.susi.ie
If eligible, learners may only receive one of these payments while participating on a Kerry College full-time programme.
Learner Allowance
Also known as a Training Allowance.
To avail of a Learner Allowance, an applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying DEASP payment at course start. Allowances/payments are based on attendance and are paid by Kerry College directly to learners for the duration of the course. You may also receive accommodation or travel allowance if you meet the criteria.
back to Education Allowance
To avail of a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) the applicant must apply directly to the DEASP. BTEA is paid by DEASP directly to learners for the academic year. There is no option to receive any other payment or receive an accommodation or travel allowance.
SUSI Grant
SUSI is a maintenance grant available only for courses that are SUSI approved. Payments are made directly to the learner in the form of grants to cover the academic year.
There is no option to receive any other payment or receive an accommodation or travel allowance. A full-list of eligible course along with details on how to apply is available on SUSI.ie.
No Payment
A learner who is not eligible for Learner Payment, BTEA or SUSI may still apply and participate on any Kerry College course.
Courses for employment offer travel or accommodation support payments, if criteria are met.
Funding towards Travel, Accommodation and Meals
At present, learners on courses for progression do not qualify for travel/accommodation/meal payments. These payments relate only to learners on courses for employment. Learners may receive Travel or Accommodation Allowance - but not both. Your payment will be calculated and processed at course registration.
Travel Allowance
A travel allowance is a contribution towards the learner’s cost of travel based on the distance from the learner’s primary place of residence to the campus location.
To qualify, learners must live more than 3 miles/5km away from the campus location they are attending. Travel Allowances are not payable to participants on Night Training courses.
Accommodation Allowance
An accommodation allowance may be paid to learners who need to relocate in order to attend a course for employment.
To qualify, learners must live more than 20 miles/32km away from the campus location they are attending. For up to date information on this, please see: kerrycollege.ie/learner-information
National Childcare Scheme
The NCS (National Childcare Scheme) provides childcare supports for those on full-time education and training programmes. Full details can be found on the www.ncs.gov.ie webpage.
You may apply via your MyGovID account or contact Kerry County Childcare Committee at 066 718 1582 to discuss which childcare supports are available to you.
Applicant Screening - Admissions Interview
Applications for all full-time programmes should be made online via the Kerry College. Your application will be processed using our FETCHCOURSES system. If you haven't signed up for a FETCH account, you'll need to do this first. It's free and a one-time setup.
Courses for Employment
Become work-ready with our range of employment-focussed education and training programmes.
This course is highly practical and focuses on the key skills and knowledge necessary for working in an ecologically based role. Learners will be able to demonstrate strategies and practices to help foster a more environmentally-friendly society.
Where will I study?
This unique course will be delivered at in Killarney, with many of the practical elements delivered in the variety of habitats of the National Park or close by on the peninsulas of Iveragh, Dingle and Beara or in the Burren. Being in the heart of Ireland’s premiere National Park will provide an ideal location for the Level 5 Ecology course.
Why should I apply?
If you are interested in working outdoors and have an interest and passion for the natural environment, this is the course for you. This course gives you the foundation needed to pursue a career in Ecology, Botany, Wildlife Management, Forestry, Conservation, and other related industry sectors. Governments worldwide have declared “climate change and biodiversity loss” a global emergency and this course will support you in becoming a contributing member to the solution of this global emergency.
In Ireland in recent years, with increases in environmental awareness and realisation of some of our obligations to environmental issues, the scope for employment in the environmental and ecological fields has increased dramatically. Additionally, we have recognised the importance of this type of knowledge in all sectors. As a learner on this course, we will give you the skills and knowledge to apply environmental principles and knowledge to any of the sectors you may end up working in.
Successful participants on the course could also progress to a range of higher certificate and degree programmes.
This course is a path to explore the different educational and employment opportunities in the environmental sector.
Biological Diversity (5N1568)
Biology (5N2746)
Ecological Field Methods (5N1439)
Permaculture Design (5N1617)
Plant Identification & Use (5N2527)
Plant Science (5N2528)
Sustainable Water Management (5N5027)
Team-working (5N1367)
Work Experience (5N1356)
5M5028 - Applied Ecology.
Contact our Kerry College Admissions Offices – Tralee on 066 714 9696, Killarney on 064 662 2593 or info@kerrycollege.ie