Who we are

The Open Training College is a part of St. Michael’s House, Dublin. We are a not-for-profit organisation, funded through student fees, project work and consultancy.

What we do

We provide education and learning opportunities for people working in the disability, voluntary and not-for-profit sectors, covering:

• Applied Management
• Social Studies
• Supported Employment

We also provide a range of shorter, professional development courses. Click here to learn more about our courses.

How we do it

Our approach allows those working full time to remain in their job while enjoying the benefits of supported study. We do this using the Supported Open Learning Model and the Partnership Approach. The Supported Open Learning Model combines learning materials and methods to make it easier for students to study in their own time. The Partnership Approach is the agreement between students, agencies and employers that ensures students get all the support they need while studying.

Our staff

All our staff are professionals who have prior experience in administration, education and/or disability. They bring together the appropriate knowledge and skills with the right attitude to facilitate learning and to advise and assist our students. Together with our guiding principles, this creates a learning environment where students feel valued and respected.

Our students

Our students are colleagues, committed to the common cause of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. The College values the experience they bring to their studies and encourages the application of learning by including it in our assessment methods.
Our courses are designed specifically for adult learning. They stimulate a range of learning styles and experiences by building on existing skills and knowledge. Each module is built on clearly articulated learning outcomes, which inform our assessment procedures. This provides a transparent and uniform assessment process.

Qualifications and Accreditation

Our course qualifications are accredited by:

• The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) in Ireland
• National University of Ireland, Galway
• Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), in Ireland

The College’s courses and other activities are evaluated using Quality Assurance policies and procedures that are informed by a wide variety of stakeholders, including the staff team and students.