Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
The SNA role has become a vital part of Irish education. Special Needs Assistants are now found in most classrooms in Primary Education and often in Secondary too. This course concentrates on specific special needs, both physical and intellectual, and teaches how to get the best for the client out of the education system in spite of any disadvantage experienced. The approach encompasses practical solutions as well as a thorough understanding of the issues. For people interested in dedicating themselves to this vital role in our society, this course is invaluable.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
-
Special Needs Assisting
Inclusive Education Practice
Disability Awareness
Assistive Technology
Learning Difficulty Awareness
Differentiated Learning & Instruction
Communications
Work Experience
*Components subject to change
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 6M2263 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
The national policy is to increase very substantially the number of SNAs in the education system. This will mean recruiting a lot of new people, and jobs for suitably qualified graduates should be plentiful. These are likely to be stable jobs, secure enough to sustain long-term careers.