Failte Ireland has outsourced the management and delivery of their Tour Guide and Badging to Portobello Institute.  The Dublin City and Environs Tour Guide Programme, which is Level 6 is aimed at those who wish to train as a Tourist Guide specifically around Dublin City Centre. This course will enable learners to provide guiding and tour management services for tourists in Dublin city and its environs.

Failte Ireland have outsourced the management and delivery of their Tour Guide Training and Badging to Portobello Institute.  Portobello Institute offer two badging programmes - Dublin City and Environs Tour Guide Programme and the National Tour Guide Programme.  The National Tour Guide programme aims to provide the communication and information skills to offer a quality tour guiding service for a range of tourist markets, to source information banks and to professionally present Ireland as a tourist destination.

The Visual Retail Display course is hands-on and practical. Have a look at the exhibition photos of what past students of the Retail Display course have done. Like them, you too will learn how to create eye-catching visual Retail Displays that inspire the consumer to want more...

The Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education is aimed at learners who wish to attain a recognised qualification and embark on a professional career in an Early Childhood Care & Education. On this full time course you will acquire a thorough knowledge of child development, comparative early years methodologies and how to create a positive learning environment.  Learners will develop the capacity to work and communicate effectively with parents, families, colleagues and other professionals to safeguard support and promote children's learning, development and well being.

To meet the needs of an expanding ECCE sector Portobello Institute aims to provide a solid, integrated, unified approach to the delivery of ECCE training. FETAC Certificates are now obtained through a new Common Award System (CAS) and awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

Portobello Institute's Interior Design course has been designed with the help of professional interior designers and architects and focusses on Residential Interior Design.

The interior design course will provide you with a solid understanding of all the key features of interior design - colour mixing, texture, 3D effects, materials, lighting, space planning, drafting and includes a portfolio presentation using the work you complete during the course year.

The Higher Certificate in Arts in Montessori Education (HETAC Level 6) course prepares you for the task of helping children aged 3-6 and 6-9 years to develop to the fullness of their individual human potential. This 2 year Montessori course provides an opportunity to study, indepth, Montessori pedagogy, practices and child development as well as an interdisciplinary approach to the study of humans, their endeavours and their relationship with the universe.

The Higher Certificate in Arts in Montessori Education (HETAC Level 6) course prepares you for the task of helping children aged 3-6 and 6-9 years to develop to the fullness of their individual human potential. This 2 year Montessori course provides an opportunity to study, indepth, Montessori pedagogy, practices and child development as well as an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human's, their endeavours and their relationship with the universe.

The main aim of the ITEC Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy has been designed to provide experienced Practitioners currently working in sport and active leisure, including Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Sports Therapists and Sports Massage practitioners with the requisite understanding and complex skills and techniques to work as an Advanced Sports Massage Practitioner. Advanced Practitioners will be equipped to work with clientele ranging from recreational sport and active leisure enthusiasts to professional sports persons and elite athletes.

Great savings on this Sports Courses Combo:

• Gym Instructor
• Personal Trainer

Please click on the links above for detailed course information.

The Sports Coaching course was developed to meet the growing need for highly skilled sports coaches throughout Ireland. It is the ideal starting point for any sports enthusiast to pursue a career in professional coaching as it equips them with the knowledge and practical skills to bring out the best in any athlete.

The Sports Nutrition course teaches you how to enhance an athlete's performance, recovery and energy levels through a scientific understanding of diet and micronutrients.

Successful completion of the Montessori Teaching Stage 1 distance learning course qualifies learners as Montessori Teachers for the 3-6 year range who may seek employment for this role within the pre-school sector. By the end of Montessori Teaching Stage 1, learners will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of both the local and national frameworks which guide the education and care provision of Early Years settings, specialising in Montessori Pedagogy and Curriculum for the 3-6 year old. Over one hundred years ago, Maria Montessori, the first female physician in Italy, devised a very different method of educating children, based on her observations of how they naturally learn. Today, Montessori education is more in line with what developmentalists now know about how children learn and develop.

The Special Needs Assistant Certificate is a part time evening course suited to anyone who has an interest in Special Needs Education, whether to pursue it as a career or use the knowledge for personal or family reasons.

In the present ever changing and evolving world of today, diversity, equality and differentiation are commonly used terms. Therefore, in accordance with The Equality Status Act 2000, valuing and accommodating all citizens of the state, regardless of impairments is essential. This course aims to provide the student with an insight and indepth knowledge of visual impairment issues, which will help you to respond appropriately and confidently when dealing or working with people who are blind or who have significant sight loss.

The Dyslexia Awareness distance learning course will enable you to learn more about how to tell if someone has dyslexia, the learning and emotional effects of Dyslexia as well as effective strategies for Dyslexia in the classroom. Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which makes it difficult for some children to learn to read, write and spell correctly. A child can become frustrated by these difficulties and over time may also show signs of low self-esteem and behavioural problems at home and school. In addition, the child may also become unmotivated and develop a dislike for school which can impact on the child’s overall success in school.

Do you know the correct approach to take with a person who is disabled? Do you worry about using the wrong language or being patronising? Do you speak to the ‘person’ or their ‘carer’? Do you assume that a person with a disability always needs assistance? If these are questions you ask yourself then this Understanding Disability Etiquette distance learning course can help give you good advice and information when dealing with a work situation or socially meeting someone who has a disability.

Approximately 40,000 deaf and hearing people overall use Irish Sign Language (ISL) either as their first language or in addition to their first language on a daily basis in Ireland. The Understanding Basic Sign Language distance learning course will give a concise overview of ISL, basic signs and instructions for their use. Students will gain an understanding of the problems and barriers that people who have a hearing loss can experience. It will also outline basic strategies hearing people can use to communicate respectfully and effectively with deaf people.

The Certificate in Supporting a Wheelchair User distance learning course in intended to give the student an insight into the issues around mobility disabilities and how to best support a person who is a wheelchair user. This course explores the barriers experienced by people with mobility disabilities such as spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis and motor neuron disease to name but a few. Do we see the person first or the wheelchair? What are the practical factors involved in transport shopping, socialising, sport and holidaying for these individuals? This course aims to teach the student how to treat a wheelchair user with dignity and respect, always thinking about the person first and the disability second.

The Social Care Skills distance learning course will provide you with and understanding of the various skills needed to be an effective care worker in a variety of settings such as nursing, residential or private homes, disability services and specialized care units. The course objectives include recognizing the personal care needs of clients, how to respond effectively to the client’s needs, practical skills in the area of personal care and maintaining a safe, healthy and hygienic environment for clients.

The importance of mental health cannot be underestimated. In light of this, Portobello Institute has developed a distance learning course in Mental Health Awareness which will provide an indepth understanding of the issues of mental health to the learner who can then apply this knowledge in a supportive and positive manner. This course gives the learner an understanding of mental health issues and their context, enhancing the learners familiarity with the national and local needs and those of their families.

The Caring for Children distance learning course is intended to provide the student with the skills and knowledge to care for children from 0-6 years either in the home or as part of a supervised team in a childcare setting.

By choosing to study this course with Portobello Institute, students will have access to course materials from our online learning centre for the duration of the course. The course materials for this FETAC certified course are thorough and easy to read and can be downloaded in your own time and from the comfort of your own home. You will also be assigned a personal tutor for the duration of the course who will help you with any challenges you may encounter. In addition you will be able to upload assignments online and receive online feedback. You can use our online learning centre from any computer that has internet access. However, access to a computer is not compulsory as we can arrange for everything to be processed by post. There is an additional administration cost of €30 for this service.

The Deaf Awareness distance learning course aims to deliver an understanding of the range of communication tactics used in communicating with deaf people. Students will learn to become ‘deaf aware’ and gain a basic knowledge of deafness and communication skills which can be used with a range of deaf, hard of hearing and deaf blind people. This course will also assist the student to learn various strategies to assist deaf and hard of hearing people to communicate effectively and also be involved to the best of their ability in everyday conversations.

Coping with Challenging Behaviours distance learning course provides the student with an understanding of challenging behaviours and the factors that can create challenging behaviours. It will also provide the student with the knowledge and skills to effectively work with a child with challenging behaviours in a school or home environment.

The Intellectual Disability Studies distance learning course has been specifically designed by Portobello Institute so that students are equipped to provide the optimal levels of support required for people with intellectual disabilities and their famlies in a variety of settings. Suitable for anyone with an interest in intellectual disabilities this course is highly recommended as an opportunity for further development for people who have studied Special Needs Education at Level 5 and Level 6.

The inability to effectively communicate has been found to affect numerous daily life tasks. Researchers have found that individuals with disabilities experience less success than able-bodied individuals with respect to employment, education, independent living and relationships. It is essential therefore to offer augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to non-verbal children and have the knowledge to help the child to effectively use their particular system.

The Autism Awareness distance learning course will provide the student with the knowledge and skills to effectively work with a child with autism in a school, home or social environment. The area of autism has become one of the most highlighted areas of disability in relation to mainstream education in recent years. The aim of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the issues involved in the area of autistic spectrum disorders.

Understanding a child’s social, emotional and physical development is paramount if one is to provide a caring and nurturing environment for children to develop in. The Child Development distance learning course covers the individual variation in stages of child development, the factors that can affect it and the role you can play in promoting child development.

Often individuals are interested in the area of Special Needs but don’t have the time to commit to practical work experience or a large set of exams. The Certificate in Special Needs Distance Learning course is geared towards those who would like to gain a broad understanding of Special Needs Education without having to complete any practical work experience.

Being able to communicate our thoughts, aspirations and basic needs is a civic right. Speech and language are the main media through which we communicate. For a variety of reasons some individuals have a delay or inflictions to their speech and language development. Through this course the student will develop a strong knowledge based insight into how speech, language and communication are developed. Furthermore, this course will identify a range of issues that may affect any individual at any stage of their life and it will also suggest some coping strategies to deal effectively with these issues.

The aim of the Dyspraxia Awareness distance learning course is to provide the student with an understanding of dyspraxia and the specific difficulties associated with this condition. Dyspraxia is a difficulty with thinking out, planning and carrying out sensory and/or motor tasks. Children with dyspraxia face many challenges each day in carrying out activities that many take for granted. Such difficulties can have an effect on the child's ability in school and also on their overall self esteem.

The Certificate in Montessori in the Home distance learning course will give the learner an introduction to the Montessori philosophy of education and how it applies to the young child in a home environment. It will give a background to Maria Montessori's wonderful life and the legacy that she left behind of a full curriculum for the early education of the child. It will also give the learner useful tips to nurture and develop their own child in the home.

The Applied Social Studies course is designed to introduce students to the area of sociology and applied social studies, and to develop their understanding and awareness of social issues in their own lives and society in general. Students develop basic research skills and learn to recognise the complexity of social issues.

This Health Service Skills certificate with an emphasis on occupational therapy assistant provides training for care assistants and occupational therapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. Students gain a knowledge of the theory and principles of occupational therapy practice, and of the role of the occupational therapy assistant in the implementation of therapeutic programmes. Students learn about human occupation, growth and development and become familiar with the elements of activities of living. They develop the skills and techniques to assist a patient/client in the activities of living in order to enhance their quality of life. The Occupational Therapy Assistant also learns the basic principles of infection control and are taught to apply standard precautions in relation to infection control.

Gym Instructors assume many different roles in a fitness centre, that of motivator, supervisor, and trainer. This course provides learners with all the necessary skills to fill these roles for their clients. Through a combination of theory and practical learning Portobello Institute's Diploma in Personal Training & Gym Instruction enables learners to provide clients with an appropriate gym workout for their needs to improve overall fitness including strength, flexibility and cardio-respiratory functions.

The Sports Science course covers a wide variety of topics from Health Related Fitness to Sports Psychology and Kinesiology equipping students with the ability to pursue a career or progress to further studies in a broad range of sports subjects.

The Sports Management course adds depth to the knowledge gained in Year 1 of this course. The Sports Management (year 2) course focuses strongly on business and management modules which will equip graduates with the necessary skills for a management role in this exciting industry.

The Leisure Operations course provides individuals with the skills, knowledge and competencies required to deliver high level customers care, coupled with the technical ability to manage and maintain a leisure facility.

The Sports Management Certificate course (year 1) combines the essential academic teachings of a business studies course with the practical knowledge of a sports therapy course giving learners the most well-rounded education possible in this discipline.

The Sports and Recreation course is a full time comprehensive sports course designed to prepare students for a career in the leisure industry or to provide a pathway to further study. The course aims to encourage students to engage in a broad area of study in both academic and practical areas. Successful candidates of this course can enjoy a range of careers in the Health and Fitness Industry.

The Sports Therapy course focuses on three main areas:

1. Understanding and preventing sports injuries
2. Dealing with the effects of physical and emotional trauma surrounding sports injuries and
3. The clinical process of returning athletes to peak fitness in the relevant sport.

Portobello Institute's newly revised and updated Sports Therapy course gives learners the opportunity to acquire the practical and technical knowledge necessary to deal with these three main areas of concern and pursue a career or further education in this area.

Make Up Artists are becoming more and more in demand in the Irish and International Entertainment and Cosmetic industries. Portobello Institute's Make Up Artistry courses combine the technical skill set required with internationally recognised rewards, to give you the opportunity to work in the many challenging aspects and the diverse world of Make Up Artists.

The Fashion Design course is a 2 year course focusing on the core elements of design from drawing through to communication and computer illustration, providing a great introduction to the world of fashion. Students will learn the fundamental day to day operations of fashion design encompassing fabric selection, design process and arts and crafts.

The Health Service Skills Distance Learning course is ideal for those employed, or seeking employment in the healthcare sector, and also provides an ideal stepping stone for those wishing to progress to further education in the health services. As outlined by HIQA* all newly recruited care staff and those in a role less than one year must commence training to FETAC Level 5 or equivalent within two years of taking up employment.

The Healthcare Support Distance Learning course is designed to prepare students to work competently, safely and effectively as a Healthcare Assistant in a variety of settings such as nursing homes, hospitals and home help support. The Healthcare Support course is structured to provide Graduates with a high standard of training and assessment leading to a recognised qualification for those pursuing a career in the Health Care Sector.

This Train the Trainer Distance Learning course is designed for existing trainers to readjust their current skill set and approach to training ensuring that high quality standards are at the forefront of all training programs. It also is aimed toward students who wish to gain a qualification in the area of Training Development and Planning. In the current economic climate many are returning to education with an increased demand for trainers both with inhouse companies and also for external business.

The Fashion Buying & Merchandising course (advanced certificate) covers a concise range of modules ensuring students gain a practical insight into the world of fashion buying and merchandising.

The Fashion Buying and Merchandising course is an introductory fashion buying course encompassing the foundations that are necessary to succeed as a fashion buyer in today's competitive environment.

The Beauty Specialist Certificate course is an excellent way to build the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to start a career as a Beautician. This course will prepare you for working in a Beauty Salon or  opening your own Salon. As well as learning all about how the Beauty business works, you will learn about a wide range of beauty products, equipment and treatments. You will specialise in facials, skin care and eye treatments.

The Beauty Therapy and Non Surgical Cosmetics course is a full time ITEC diploma course which you can take for one year, or progess your studies to include Beauty Therapy Year 2 where you will go on to the highly specialised skills of microdermabrasion, laser treatment and epilation.

This Health Service Skills Certificate with an emphasis on Speech and Language Therapy provides training for Care Assistants and Speech Therapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. You will gain a knowledge of varying roles of the speech and language therapy assistant in clinical practice and an awareness of ways to assist the speech & language therapist in the preparation and implementation of therapeutic programmes.

This Health Service Skills Certificate with an emphasis on Physiotherapy Assistant provides training for care assistants and physiotherapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. Students study human anatomy and physiology with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, they become familiar with common medical conditions and the main clinical features of these conditions.

The Pre Nursing course is designed as a programme of preparatory study to enter a degree course in Nursing Studies. Students undertaking this course can also apply for training positions in General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Intellectual Disability Nursing and Children's Nursing.

The Health Care Services certificate with an emphasis on Occupational Therapy assistant provides training for Care Assistants and Occupational Therapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. Students gain a knowledge of the theory and principles of occupational therapy practice, and of the role of the occupational therapy assistant in the implementation of therapeutic programmes. Students learn about human occupation, growth and development and become familiar with the elements of activities of living. They develop the skills and techniques to assist a patient/client in the activities of living in order to enhance their quality of life. The Occupational Therapy Assistant also learns the basic principles of infection control and are taught to apply standard precautions in relation to infection control.

The Business Management Advanced Certificate course is designed to provide the students with an indepth understanding of the role and function of management in the business environment and offers the opportunity to develop effective management skills. While the theoretical aspects of business management are taught, the focus is on the practical application of these principles.

The Sports Management course combines the essential academic teachings of business and management studies with the practical knowledge of a sports giving learners the most well-rounded education possible in this discipline.

The Advanced Sports Development course is offered as an additional year to the Sports Coaching course. Students will cover a variety of topics from Sports Psychology to Business Management all of which will ensure graduates gain a level of knowledge and practical expertise to equip them for any role within a sporting organisation.

The Main aim of the Nutrition and Fitness course is to enable learners to gain the practical and theoretical skills necessary to provide nutritional advice for active leisure, recreation and physical activity with the skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in employment as an Exercise and Fitness Instructor.

The module is designed to equip learners with knowledge of the structure and function of the human body and an understandng of the interrelationship between the systems of the body.

If you have graduated from either of our Level 5 courses (Certificate in Tourism Studies) or ( Certificate in Airline Studies) or have relevant experience and are looking to further enhance your knowledge of the travel and tourism industry then this recently revised and updated FETAC Level 6 course will provide you with all the necessary additional knowledge and skills to prepare you for employment at management or supervisory levels within the sector.

Tourism is the worlds largest industry and plays a significant role in providing employment and income in most modern economies.  Ireland is no exception and has seen a dramatic rise in employment opportunities in this sector in recent years. In addition, the emergence of low cost airline carriers, the rise of budget hotels and the ease of booking on the internet, have created interesting challenges and opportunities for the Tourism industry.

The Legal Studies course provides a foundation in Irish Law and business. It is suitable for those who would like a career as an assistant in a legal environment or for those who wish to continue their legal studies to degree level.

The EBusiness Studies course is a comprehensive introduction to eBusiness, enabling participants to appreciate the important role played by technology in business today and capitalise on the opportunities presented by eBusiness.

This full time Special Needs Education course is designed to introduce students to the key areas of caring for children of a school going age and promotes their understanding of the underpinning theoretical framework of childcare principles and practice.

Great savings on this Nail Courses Combo:

• Manicure & Pedicure (ITEC)
• Nail Technician (Gel & Acrylic Nails)

Please click on the links above for detailed course information.

Spring 2013 Open Days*

Sports and Health Programmes Open Days- Croke Park

This Health Service Skills certificate with an emphasis on Speech and Language assistant provides training for care assistants and Speech Therapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. You will gain a knowledge of varying roles of the speech and language therapy assistant in clinical practice and an awareness of ways to assist the speech & language therapist in the preparation and implementation of therapeutic programmes.

This Health Service Skills certificate with an emphasis on physiotherapy assistant provides training for care assistants and physiotherapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. Students study human anatomy and physiology with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, they become familiar with common medical conditions and the main clinical features of these conditions.

The FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Care Support (D20164) is designed to equip the learner with the skills and knowledge to work effectively in a care setting. This part time healthcar course aims to promote good practice and respect for diversity in lifestyle, religion and culture in care work.

The Health Service Skills course prepares you for the caring role of Hospital Care Assistant. It equips you with the skills and knowledge to care for patients in a safe and hygienic environment. You will learn the basic principles of infection control and are taught to apply standard precautions in relation to infection control. An understanding of the ageing process and how to provide individualised holistic care for the older person is also covered.

The Community Care Assistant course equips students with the skills and knowledge to care for patients in a safe and hygienic environment. You will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the Care Worker and acquire practical skills for work in caring environments. You will gain an understanding of the nursing process, appreciate the models of care and develop an awareness of nursing ethics and etiquette in care situations.

The Pre Nursing course is designed as programme of preparatory study to enter a degree programme in Nursing Studies. Students undertaking this course can also apply for training positions in General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Intellectual Disability Nursing and Childrens Nursing.

There are a wide range of issues currently facing organisations in the whole area of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). These include: process and best practice, practical requirements, the legislative framework and cost benefit analysis among others.

The Airline Training course is ideal for those seeking to work in the Airline sector. This course is suitable for those looking to a career as ground crew, cabin crew (air hostess, air steward), check-in and customer service. Portobello Institute's Airline Training course is highly respected in the industry. We are a market leader in the delivery of this course for over a decade, and many of our graduates have gone on to permanent employment from this course.

As part of their programme our Business students undertook a visit to the Four Courts in Dublin City centre this week.  Our tutors are firm believers in field trips of this nature as it enhances the student learning experience and provides the student with real life experiences in thier field.

The Waste Management course is targeted at Waste team leaders who are trained in a discipline other than waste management such as engineers, facilities managers and operations managers. At the end of this course each learner will be able to confidently undertake waste management activities for their department or organisation.

Strategic Planning determines where a company is going, how they are going to get there and what strategy needs to be put in place to achieve these goals.  This FETAC 6 Business Course in Strategic Planning encourages learners to critically analyse the strategies of the organisation in which they are involved and how to achieve results. You will learn how to formulate a strategic plan in line with company goals and brand ethos, how to implement this in terms of work force and how best to forward plan in Business.

Marketing is an exciting, vibrant and dynamic area - impacting on all our lives. From the major global brands to the local corner shops, identifying customers and meeting their needs is critical to business survival and success. For many, this makes marketing a particularly attractive career path, giving ambitious individuals an opportunity to face up to the challenge posed by an increasingly competitive marketplace.

LauraLynn Children's Hospice are looking for Health Care Assistants to join there caring team so they can help more children.

Portobello Institute's Beauty Specialist diploma course brings you up to speed with the complete Beautician's toolkit of salon treatments for skin, eye, make up, waxing, manicure and pedicure.