The Facilities Management course leads to the ILM Level 3 Certificate in Facilities Management. The course aims to give learners who have limited experience in Facilities Management or learners seeking a career change to Facilities Management the foundation for their formal development in a Facilities Management role. The qualification does this by developing broad leadership and management skills and specific facilities management skills.

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.

This short intensive Creative Hair Styling course equips the learner to develop safe and hygienic work practices while understanding the principles of creative hair styling. On completion learners will be able to demonstrate fashion hair styling to include directional roller setting, blow-drying and creative hair up-styling techniques.  Learners will also explore working with wigs, hair pieces and extensions from securing to setting in various styles.

This is an intensive millinery design course aimed at beginners to intermediate students. It is a thorough introduction to the process of blocking felt using traditional millinery techniques and equipment. Participants are expected to produce one hat finished to a professional standard.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Personal Trainer Certificate course builds on the Gym Instructor course taking a more in-depth look at functional anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, nutrition and also exercise prescription. This course enables candidates to provide clients with personalized training programmes/sessions for their needs to improve overall fitness including strength, flexibility and cardio-respiratory function as well as detailed lifestyle advice to maintain all aspects of their health, fitness and well being.

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.

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.

The Strength Training for Coaches 1 day workshop is designed to give sports coaches from a wide range of performance environments the fundamental tools to enhance development and reduce the occurrence of injuries. By taking advantage of the experience and expert knowledge of our presenters, attendees will broaden their knowledge base and stay up to date with the latest research. All attendees received detailed notes and a certificate of completion.

Portobello Institute delivered yet another successful workshop on Fire Legislation this week.  The college was delighted to welcome back Fire safety expert Michael P. Lyons.  Michael delivered the last workshop to our Facilities Management students and received tremendous feedback.  Michael has a wealth of experience in this field to pass on to our students.  In the past Michael has worked as a Senior Fire Officer with Dublin City Council and with Wicklow County Council from 1991 to 2000, leaving as Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Preventation).  His work included Fire Safety Certificate Application assesments, Fire Safety Notices under the Fire Services Act 1981, Licensing of Premises for the Fire Authority and was a Fire Brigade Instructor in Breathing Apparatus wearing.

Our Beauty students got creative this work in their Nail class.  Adding a touch of glamour to nails the students created these amazing designs.

Laser treatment is fast becoming more popular in Ireland.  Laser is an extremely safe procedure with many people of all ages opting to treat areas of their face and body.  As part of there Beauty Therapy programme our students attended a fantastic guest lecture from Laser Clinic Balance Medi-Spa.  The Clinic came into the college to present to our students on the many benefits of laser surgery and what areas laser can be administered to, from Rosacea and sun damage through to Liver spots and port wine stains.

If you are part of the FAS Work Placement Programme or the Jobbridge Programme then this could be the internship for you.  Start Mortgages is a specialist lender based in Clonskeagh, Dublin 4 are offering two intern positions for those interested in pursuing a career as a Legal Secretary.  The successful candidate will work in our Litigation Team and will provide legal secretarial support to a team of solicitors.  Both interns will report to the Litigation Manager.

Our full time students have really come into their own, now into the 6 month of their course.  Their tutors set them a real challenge last week as part of thier special effects model.  Each student had to create a zombie character - think Michael Jackson Thriller.  The results were fanastic.  See here for yourself.

Running your own business, whatever the industry takes great precision and organisational skills, whether its a start up business in the Beauty or Childcare industry or a growing business in Marketing or Finance.  Many students who pass through our doors ready to kick start their careers chose to go it alone.   While you may opt to employ someone to do your accounts or marketing for you while you concentrate on your own skill set it is strongly advisible to have general knowledge in definitive areas, allowing you to manage your business successfully and profitably.