The EDI Centre facilitates other organisations in hosting training programmes such as ASIST, SafeTALK, Biopharma and Med-Technologies, Certificate in Operations, Quality and Lean Management, Security, SafePass, Patient Moving and Handling, Care Skills, Care of the Older Person, Healthcare Support, Warehousing, First Aid Response, ICDL and Human Resources Management, and many more.
Since we were established in 1998 the EDI Centre has run a wide range of Adult Education and training courses in our own right. Some of our current courses include:
We Can Quit – free programme to assist people who wish to stop smoking, includes one-to-one support and free stop smoking medication. More can be found on our Healthy Life page or by vising the Slaintecare Healthy Communities section on the HSE website.
Healthy Food Made Easy this free course is ran for 6 weeks with 2- 2 ½ hour sessions per week. The course aims to: Encourage healthy eating, Improve our knowledge of nutrition when preparing our meals at home, Learn healthy meals on a budget. More can be found on our Healthy Life page or by vising the Slaintecare Healthy Communities section on the HSE website.
Some of our own highly successful past courses have included:
REVAMP Training Project
The REVAMP Training Project was a social enterprise specialising in furniture recycling and reuse to reduce waste and provided training for young people from welfare dependent backgrounds, this full time LWETB Local Training Initiative ran for a number of years and provided training in areas such as Woodwork, Upholstery, Tiling and furniture restoration. The Revamp Training Project won the AONTAS Star Award in 2010
The Revamp 3R Furniture Store evolved from this training project and a large focus of their work is furniture repair and restoration the 3RStore demonstrates the multiple benefits of reuse and recycling by providing quality furniture at affordable prices.
Traditional Skills in Conservation
In 2013-2014 we ran a highly successful 12 month SQA accredited Traditional Skills in Conservation Programme this was the first course of its kind in Ireland. The programme included training in stonework and the conservation of stone, lime plastering and harling, decorative plasterwork, natural slating, leadwork including bossing and welding and scagliola. Participants of the course were also involved in the restoration of two cottages at Connolly Barracks in Longford Town. This unique training programme was developed by Longford Revamp Homes Ltd and funded by LCRL under the Rural Development Programme (RDP), Sweeney Architects were contracted for delivery, and all tutors are craftspeople within their field and included Pat McAfee, Stonemason and author of many books including Irish Stone Walls, Stone Buildings and Lime Works and Kevin Holbrook, Decorative Plasterwork has been featured on a number of TV programmes and has contributed to many books on the subject matter.
BA degree in Business, Enterprise and Community Development
The EDI Centre facilitated a BA degree in Business, Enterprise and Community Development, the degree was delivered by Equal Ireland through Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). This course was carried out over 2 years and consisted of 8 modules.
Longford Engineering Pre-apprenticeship
Launched by the EDI Centre in 2016 this initiative was funded by LWETB and Athlone Training Centre, a full time Local Training Initiative in which participants received training in practical subjects such as Milling and Turning, Technical Drawing, Workplace Safety. 95% of course participants went on to full time apprenticeships, employment or further education and training.
Catering/Lifeskills
This full time Local Training Initiative was funded by LWETB and Athlone Training Centre. Participants received training in Short Order Cooking, Kitchen Skills, Customer Service, Meal Service and Handling Food Hygienically. Participants had the opportunity to work in a fully functional training kitchen and restaurant with seating for up to 70 persons. 94% of participants went on to full-time employment or further education and training.
Live Longer and Prosper
The EDI Centre in conjunction with the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) delivered a Government led ‘Healthy Ireland’ initiative. The Live Longer and Prosper programme empowered individuals and communities to take positive action to improve their health and lead a healthier lifestyle and develop better partnership between agencies and communities, improving greater social cohesion.
The programme consisted of Healthy Eating, Gentle Exercise, Socialising and Health Promotion Speakers and was supported by LCDC, Dept of Health and Pobal and delivered by Longford EDI Centre.
Disability Activation Project (DACT)
The Training Options programme run under the Disability Activation Project (DACT) and targeted the Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) region. 2012-2015. The training was provided by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions through its national network of resource centres which includes the EDI Centre and was funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department of Social Protection (DSP). The Training Options programme, which provided training and skills upgrades to people with disabilities to improve their prospects of securing work was formally launched by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, in the EDI Centre.
Digital Skills
Digital Skills was funded through the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment and was available to anyone who had not previously engaged with the internet. The purpose of the course was to support people to get online and enjoy all that the internet has to offer. Target groups included individuals over 45, small business owners, farmers, individuals with disabilities, the unemployed, and disadvantaged groups. The course consisted of 10 hours of free IT training and included: Introduction to the Internet & Internet Safety, Emails, Using Online Services, Using Social Media, Online Shopping and How to use Apps.
Momentum – Warehousing
Momentum was a Government initiative under “Pathways to Work” which provided free education and training projects for up to 6,500 individuals who were unemployed for 12 months or longer. The programmes included on-the job training and development of the workplace skills required to obtain and retain employment. The programme was discontinued in 2016. Momentum was administered by FÁS and funded by the Department of Education & Skills through the ESF supported Labour Market Education & Training Fund (LMETF).
The full time Warehousing course included training in Customer Service, Personal Effectiveness in the Workplace, Business Computing, Work Experience, Forklift Driving, Manual Handling and Safe Pass.
Some of our other courses included:
Sewing and Fashion Design, Benefit 3 and Benefit 4, Manual Handling, First Aid, Equal Skills, Fire Safety Training, ECDL, STEPS to Excellence, RAPID Programme, Maximising Your Options, Food and Cookery and Pre-Employment Programmes.
In the past the EDI Centre also delivered a number of FETAC and later QQI certified courses in subjects such as Payroll, Reception Skills, Career Preparation, Bookkeeping, Train the Trainer, Health and Safety Awareness, Culinary Skills, Creative Hairstyling, Computer Literacy and Floor and Wall Tiling.
Testimonials from Past Learners
I successfully completed the Traditional & Conservation Skills Training, Level 5 at EDI Centre. I successfully gained employment with Oldstone Conservations, where I am now Site Manager, overseeing a number of prestigious conservation projects, i.e. GPO, Trinity College, Dame Street and currently a large residential house in Dublin
Long-term unemployed with no life structure. Attended pre-employment in EDI Centre where I received confidence building one-one mentoring, job preparation and interview skills and techniques and upskilling. Now in full time employment for 17 years and proud father of three adorable children and partner.
Before I started the pre apprenticeship course, I was working part time in the cash and carry in Longford. I enjoy doing the course, its interesting. I also like doing it at the edi centre. I hope to do an SNA course after the pre apprenticeship course and I believe that this course has prepared me to do so.
EDI courses helped me to gain adequate qualification in catering which is a corner stone for my career and helped me to stand up as independent person. The centre is an adequate and friendly environment where each person is treated with dignity and respect no matter what your background is
Since completing Catering & Life skills course in EDI Centre, I have progressed to AIT and in year 2 of Degree in hospitality management. Catering & life skills course was beneficial as it helped to improve my confidence & prepare me for college. Since then I have travelled to France and Malaysia with college and also secured employment in 4-star hotels in Westport, and Cyprus
Unable to complete 3rd level course, I attended the first catering and life skill programme in EDI Centre, I found my niche, on completion I completed further training. I travelled abroad and worked in a 4* hotel for 5 years and I also had the opportunity to go on-board a cruise ship for 6 months, since returning to Ireland I am now in management position in 4* hotel.
