Skills to Advance offers a wide range of upskilling and reskilling opportunities available to you through your local Education and Training Board (ETB). Training opportunities can vary according to local enterprise needs, to find out what’s available in your area, visit your local ETB.

Am I eligible?

Skills to Advance has opportunities for everyone to upskill or reskill, particularly if you are:

• Currently working in a lower-skilled job

• Aged 50+

• Currently working in a job that is experiencing significant change

What will it cost me?

Skills to Advance courses are highly subsidised depending on your skill level. Contact your local ETB to find out what you’re eligible for.

Skills to Advance is currently developing a range of new training initiatives to support employees and employers. Find out more here.

Kilkenny Carlow ETB have successfully run a dedicated Level 5 Diploma Patisserie and Confectionery Services course for the hospitality sector.

The shortage of patisserie chefs is presenting a considerable challenge for the hospitality sector. Twelve employed participants engaged in the programme. The profile of participants included older workers who hadn’t engaged in any formal training for some time.

Many expressed concern about their age and how this might impact on them returning to training. Feedback from the programme has been very positive, some citing that the training has been a game-changer for them and the openness and support provided by the ETBs facilitated them accessing and availing of the training.

Listen to employee testimonials in the video below