About Us:

The Regional Skills & Training Centre is a large training facility located on the Coes Road, Dundalk, Co Louth.

RSTC operates under the remit of LMETB - Louth and Meath Education and Training Board.

We offer a full range of training programmes including Apprenticeships, Community Based Training, Evening Courses, Traineeship Programmes and Full Time Day Courses for Louth and Meath.

Our courses are designed with the learner in mind. Support is available from our Adult Guidance Counsellors to help you make informed choices regarding your training opportunities.

Certification is available to those who successfully complete their training.

Our professional qualifications are awarded in QQI, City & Guilds, Microsoft, ILM, ICS Skills and EIS.

Our training courses are free to jobseekers. To apply for a course contact our Advisors on 042 9355700 or alternatively your Local Department of Social Protection/Intreo office.

Participants in receipt of a Department of Social Protection payment may be entitled to a payment while attending a training course.

The RSTC has the following modern facilities:

• Computer suites that are approved by Prodigy and City & Guilds Testing Centre
• Workshops for Carpentry, Plumbing, Pipefitting and Electrical courses where students can learn from each other and build on their own knowledge
• State of the art Welding and Engineering areas
• Canteen that can provide meals, hot/cold beverages and snacks
• Free car park

Apprenticeships:

An Apprenticeship is the recognised means in which you train to become a Craftsperson in Ireland.

Apprentices work and train at the same time while earning a wage/allowance. For more information on rates of pay click here.

You will typically have 4 on-the-job phases (with Employer) and 3 off-the-job phases (with a designated college or Education Training Board)

Generally, an Apprenticeship takes 4 years to complete.

You must obtain employment as an Apprentice.

Click here for more information about Apprenticeships.

We provide the following Apprenticeships:

Carpentry & Joinery - click here for more info

Electrical - click here for more info

Metal Fabrication - click here for more info

Pipefitting - click here for more info

Plumbing - click here for more info

Toolmaking - click here for more info

Wood Manufacturing & Finishing - click here for more info

Community Based Training:

RSTC run a number of community based training courses in partnership with local communities and organisations. This training is offered to learners who may require additional support.

Community Training Centre (CTC) - to assist early school leavers to move towards employment by providing training which leads to nationally recognised qualifications. Working closely with your tutor, you will decide on a training plan for your career path.

Participants are primarily young people between 16 - 21 years of age, who have left school without completing formal examinations and who are keen to gain a qualification.

Local Training Initiatives (LTI) - offers training in a number of vocational areas such as sport and recreation, furniture restoration, childcare, healthcare, IT, film and media etc. Projects are located throughout the Louth and Meath areas.

This programme is open to anyone who is unemployed over the age of 16.

The following are a list of current Local Training Initiatives:

CREATE, Drogheda Training Initiative, Early School Leavers Opportunities, Job Focus, Lifestyle Focus Your Future, Muirhevnamor Training Initiative, Navan Career Start, Meath Opportunities for Training.

Specialised Training Provider (STP) - provides vocational training courses which target the needs of people with disabilities. They provide learner focused training and related services to individuals who require more intensive support than would be available in non-specialist training provision.

These training programmes are open to all, irrespective of the nature of the disability. There is different criteria applied depending on the learner's situation with the Department of Social Protection. Access to programmes is also possible for people with a disability not in receipt of a DSFA payment.

Please call 042 9355700 for more information.

Evening Courses:

Evening courses are for anyone who wishes to train, up skill and develop their career opportunities. Courses are certified and aimed at maximising the opportunity for people who wish to enter or return to the workforce.

They also provide a flexible solution to people currently employed who wish to broaden their skills, gaining more opportunities and promotional aspects.

Evening courses are delivered in the Regional Skills & Training Centre as well as various locations in Louth and Meath.

Our courses are 1-2 evenings per week for a 10 week duration from 6:30pm - 9:30pm unless otherwise stated.

Examination fees are included in the course fees where applicable.

We offer the following Evening Courses:

Business Management

• Bookkeeping Manual & Computerised
• Legal Studies
• Management
• Payroll Manual & Computerised
• Reception & Frontline Office Skills
• Start Your Own Business

Computing

• Computer Basics
• Pre ECDL
• ECDL
• MS Excel, MS Word, MS Powerpoint
• Solid Works / Computer Aided Design

Health & Safety

• Manual Handling
• Occupational First Aid
• Paediatric First Aid
• Refresher Occupational First Aid
• Workplace Safety

Welding

• Manual Metal Arc
• MAG
• TIG

Work Skills

• Domestic Thermal Insulation
• Hairdressing
• Milling
• Turning
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Woodwork

Traineeships:

If you are looking to gain training, experience and a formal qualification in a particular area of work, the traineeship programmes may suit your needs.

Traineeships are occupation targeted programmes and have a significant skill requirement. They are aimed at new labour market entrants and unemployed persons. All traineeships are delivered through a combination of classroom and employer based training in order to develop your skills and gain practical training experience.

Traineeship duration ranges from 40 to 52 weeks.

The minimum age for participating on a traineeship programme is the statutory school leaving age of 16 years.

On successful completion, learners will receive industry recognised certification.

At RSTC, our focus is on learning new skills with a strong emphasis on hand-on practical training.

We offer the following Traineeships:

Diploma for ICT Systems and Principles for Network Engineer

• This is an IT apprenticeship style pathway to a career in the technology sector.
• You will earn, learn and receive a national qualification over a 2 year period. In conjunction with FIT (Fast Track to IT) we will match you with a Sponsor Company within the ICT industry and provide the opportunity to apply your skills in a real work setting.

CPA Accounts Executive Traineeship

• This is a 1 year full time academic programme for those wishing to pursue a career as a professional accountant.
• This qualification is accredited by CPA Ireland and will gain a QQI accreditation for SAGE Line 50. This represents 1 of the 4 levels of the Professional CPA programme.

Medical Administration Traineeship

• This programme will provide learners with the skills, knowledge and competencies to provide administrative support in a medical office environment including office administration, anatomy and physiology, audio transcription, medical terminology and records management.

Hospitality Traineeship

• Participants will get the opportunity to experience a number of different job roles.
• You will acquire essential skills in areas such as food & beverage, food safety, handling payments, bookings, restaurant / bar service and menu design - the ideal starting point for developing a career in the hospitality industry.

Engineering Technology Traineeship

• A broad range of techniques and site procedures currently utilised in the engineering sector will be covered in this traineeship. This is done within a workshop and on-site environment.
• Programme modules include engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, welding, computer aided design and health & safety at work.

Office Administration Traineeship

• This traineeship will provide an excellent foundation for working within a modern office environment.
• Modules covered in the programme include information technology, customer care and a wide range of clerical skills.
• On successful completion of this programme you will receive certification through ICS, City & Guilds and QQI.

Full Time Day Courses:

Day courses are designed to provide learners with a range of employability related skills. We offer an extensive range of courses.

We can assist you to make informed choices about your future in relation to education and training.

Full time training course hours at the Training Centre are:

Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 3:45pm

Friday 8:30am to 12:45pm

Training allowances are only payable to clients on a Social Welfare payment. Rates paid are as per Department of Social Protection. Clients not on a payment are still eligible to receive training but no payment is involved. Learners may be eligible to a travel allowance under certain criteria.

Childcare is solely the responsibility of the County Childcare Board. To check eligibility for the CETS programme (Childcare Employment and Training Support) please contact:

Co Louth 042-9336364 / Co Meath 046-9703010.

Our qualified Guidance Officers can provide you with information, advice and guidance on all of our training programmes and apprenticeships as well as links to employment.

If you require any assistance with English or Maths please contact NALA – National Adult Literacy Association:

Dundalk 042-9334047 / Drogheda 041-9830870

All of our courses run based on subject to demand. Regional Skills & Training Centre reserves the right to amend, postpone or cancel courses. 

Click here to search current courses available in Louth & Meath.

We offer the following Day Courses:

Business

• Financial Advisor
• Small Business Energy Assessor
• Manual Computerised Accounts & Payroll

Caring

• Early Childhood Care & Supervision
• Health Care Support

Computing

• Computer Aided Design
• Computer Skills
• MTA Software & Network Fundamentals

Communication

• Call & Customer Support Centre
• Diploma in Social Media for Business
• Opening Doors

Construction

• Construction Employment Skills

Driving

• Bus Driving
• HGV Driving - Rigid
• HGV Driving - Artic

Engineering

• Welding Intermediate
• Welding - MMA Flat Horizontal
• Coded Welding