FÁS TRAINING & APPRENTICESHIPS

• Interested in participating in a FÁS training course?
• Enquiring about eligibility and allowances for training courses?
• Enquiring about Safe Pass/CSCS cards and training?
• What is an Apprenticeship and what are the types of apprenticeships?
• Who should I contact if I am interested in becoming an apprentice or wish to register/employ an apprentice?
• Can I get a replacement if I lose/mislay my apprenticeship card/certificate?

FÁS SERVICES TRANSFERRING TO DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

• What services are transferring to the Department of Social Protection?
• How do these changes affect Learners on training courses, Employment Programme (e.g. CE) participants, Registered jobseekers, Employers?

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMMES (DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION)

• Searching for a job?
• What are the eligibility criteria for enrolling on a Community Employment (CE) scheme?
• Looking for information on JobBridge/Work Placement Programme?

If your query is not listed in the FAQs above or the information is not available anywhere on our website, then you may contact us via our online enquiry form

Interested in participating in a FÁS training course?

If you wish to apply for a place on a FÁS training course, the first step is to contact your local Employment Services Office to register.  When you have registered an Employment Services Officer will meet with you and explain the range of training and upskilling options, allowances and funding supports available to you.

Details of all training courses are available online on Jobs Ireland. You can then narrow your search results by selecting a particular location, course category, etc. Further details of upcoming training courses in your area can also be obtained by contacting your local Employment Services Office

Enquiring about eligibility and allowances for training courses?

Information on the eligibility criteria and various financial supports to assist participants of training courses and Employment Programmes, is available under allowances and funding 

Enquiring about Safe Pass/CSCS cards and training?

Information is available on Safe Pass  
Employers, trainers or individuals wishing to participate in the Safe Pass Programme may apply by contacting a FÁS approved Safe Pass Tutor
 
Information is available on Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

Access and download Application forms for Safe Pass and CSCS replacement cards

What is an Apprenticeship and what are the types of apprenticeships?

Information is available on apprenticeships and its entry criteria and types of apprenticeships. 

Who should I contact if I am interested in becoming an apprentice or wish to register/employ an apprentice?

The apprenticeship system is regionalised and administered by the Services to Business Offices (STB) in FÁS Training Centres throughout the country. So whether you wish to register as an apprentice or want to employ an apprentice, please contact your nearest STB Office.

Can I get a replacement if I lose/mislay my apprenticeship card/certificate?

FÁS can provide replacement cards.  FETAC will provide statements of certification (it will not provide duplicate certificates).  Applications for both the replacement card and statement of certification from FETAC should be made to FÁS Apprenticeship Services.  Please telephone: 01 607 0966 for details.  A fee will be charged for all replacements.

What services are transferring to the Department of Social Protection?  

• Employment Services 
• Employment Programmes, previously supported by FÁS Community Services including: Community Employment (CE), Supported Employment, Job Clubs, Job Initiative (JI).

How do these changes affect: 

• Learners on training courses: Learners on FÁS training courses will not be affected by the transfer of some services to the Department of Social Protection as these training courses will continue to be operated by FÁS.
• Employment Programme participants: Prospective participants interested in participating in any of the Employment Programmes (CE, Supported Employment, Job Clubs, Job Initiative) are not affected in any way by the transfer of functions to the Department of Social Protection.
• Registered jobseekers: Employment Services will continue to deliver the full range of services to jobseekers and employers.
• Employers: Employment Services will continue to deliver the full range of services to jobseekers and employers.
  

Searching for a job?

Jobseekers can view and apply for vacancies on Jobs Ireland. Jobs Ireland can be accessed easily and in a number of ways – through the Internet: www.fas.ie, on the Jobseeker App, at special touch screen (WATIS) kiosks in Employment Services Offices or via the freephone service (1800 611 116).

If you wish to apply for a job which is posted on Jobs Ireland, you must follow the instructions as specified in the particular vacancy advertisement. Contact with the Employer should be as per the advertisement.

The Jobseeker Directory provides an extensive range of tools to assist in the search for a job.

What are the eligibility criteria for enrolling on a Community Employment (CE) scheme?

The criteria for participating on the Community Employment programme are based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments. In general, the Part-time Integration Option is for people of 25 years or over who are receiving social welfare payments for 1 year or more, and people of 18 years or over in receipt of disability-related payments. The Part-time Job Option is for people who are aged 35 or over and in receipt of social welfare payments for 3 years or longer.  Certain groups such as travellers and refugees aged 18 or over are eligible for both options. If you qualify under the criteria but do not wish to take up the option yourself, there are certain conditions under which you can do a spousal swap.

Please note that eligibility to participate on the Community Employment programme is linked to those in receipt of an Irish social welfare payment (where specified). Those persons not meeting the criteria under the Part-time Integration or Part-time Job Options, or who are signing for credits, or are receiving social welfare benefits from a different country, are not eligible to participate on Community Employment.

Click here for details on Community Employment eligibility
Further details of Community Employment can also be obtained by contacting your local Employment Services Office 

Looking for information on JobBridge/Work Placement Programme?

JobBridge is a new National Internship Scheme that will provide work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period. For further details of this programme, you can log onto: http://www.jobbridge.ie/

Work Placement Programme is available to anyone who is unemployed. If you are a graduate with a level 7 qualification you can apply for both the graduate placements (WPP1) and the non-graduate placements (WPP2). Otherwise, you can apply for all non-graduate placements (WPP2).  Click on Work Placement Programme for further information on the programme, how to apply and the type of placements available.