National Learning Network – Sligo

The Skills for Life programme helps young adults and school leavers explore their options for future training and work. This can include areas like office administration, retail, catering or hospitality.

We support students to understand their strengths, set goals, and gain practical experience. They also learn important skills such as communication, speaking up for themselves, and working as part of a team.

The programme is not only about getting qualifications or finding a job. It also helps students develop everyday life skills, become more independent, and build their social skills.

Course Duration: 18 months

Modules:

• Application of Numbers
• Career Preparation
• Internet Skills
• Health and Safety Awareness
• Health and Fitness
• Nutrition and Healthy Options
• Personal and Interpersonal Skills
• Word Processing
• Work Experience

Optional:

• Retail Skills
• Potting and planting by hand

The Skills for Work programme is a full training course that mixes classroom learning with real work experience. It gives you the chance to build useful skills both in class and in a workplace as you move forward on your career path.

The programme covers many areas, including customer service and teamwork. It also gives you the chance to learn from people who work in the industry and to work alongside experienced professionals.

Throughout the programme, you will get personal support, mentoring and guidance to help you learn and grow.  Work in the following sectors:  Retail, Barista, Hospitality, Beauty, Childcare, Office, Pet Care

Course Duration: 18 months

Modules:

• Customer Service
• Retail Payment Procedures
• Retail Sales Techniques
• Stock Control
• Work Experience
• Team Working
• Communications
• IT Skills

This is a practical course that teaches the basic skills needed for bookkeeping and payroll. It is suitable for people starting a career in finance, or for anyone who wants to update their skills or return to work.

The course was developed with industry experts, so it follows current rules and best practice. It shows how good administration and finance processes help a business run smoothly.

By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of bookkeeping and payroll, with skills they can use in real workplaces across many different industries.

Course Duration: 24 months

Modules:

• Text Production
• Word processing
• Work Experience
• Communications or Customer Service
• Bookkeeping Manual and Computerised
• Database Methods
• Desktop Publishing
• Information and Communication Systems
• Payroll Manual and Computerised
• Spreadsheets Methods
• Reception and Frontline Office Skills

Discover the new eSports course at NLN Sligo. This course offers a recognised qualification in eSports and helps you build real‑world skills like teamwork, strategy, confidence, wellbeing, and managing money.  It is designed for anyone who enjoys gaming and wants to turn their interest into future opportunities. The course can lead to jobs in the eSports industry, or you can continue into further study in areas such as business, media, IT, or game development.

Course Duration: 18 Months

Modules:

• Introduction to eSports
• eSports Skills, strategies and analysis
• Enterprise in eSports
• Sports Tournament Organisation
• Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for eSports Players
• Game Design and Production
• Video Production for eSports
• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in eSports

The ACCESS Programme is a rehabilitative, learner-centred programme designed for graduates of special schools and young adults who require additional supports to develop personal, social, and work-related skills. The programme is funded by the HSE, underpinned by the New Directions framework, and is open to participants aged 18 years and over.

The aim of the programme is to support individuals to work towards greater independence by building confidence, developing essential life skills, and creating opportunities for participants to make informed decisions and choices. The programme promotes social inclusion, community participation, and preparation for future employment or progression to further education or training.

Each participant is supported through a structured individualised personal planning process, leading to the development of an individual Support Plan and Person-Centred Plan. These plans guide and shape each learner’s journey on the programme, ensuring supports are tailored to individual goals, abilities, and needs.

NLN works closely with parents and carers to support the practice of skills outside the centre, helping to embed learning into everyday life.

Course Duration: 3 years

Modules:

• Health and Hygiene
• Functional Numeracy
• Planning for Work Experience
• Social Communication
• Using Technology
• Independent Living Skills, including:
  • Travel Training
  • Cooking
  • Money Management

Evolve is a flexible, personalised bridging and transition service designed to support adults with a mild to moderate learning disability to progress in education, employment, and daily life. Guided by the HSE New Directions framework, the programme focuses on developing independence, confidence, decision-making, social participation, and community engagement skills.

Participants build vocational, personal, and social competencies while strengthening natural supports and forming meaningful, sustainable community connections. Through an individualised planning process, each participant works towards clearly defined personal goals. Outcomes include increased independence in everyday life, progression to further education or employment opportunities, enhanced social networks, active citizenship, and greater inclusion within local communities.

Duration: 3 years +

Modules

• Making Choices and Developing Plans
• Maximising Independence
• Transitions and Progressions
• Personal and Social Development
• Personal Expression and Creativity
• Vocational Training and Employment Opportunities
• Community Inclusion and Participation
• Health and Wellbeing
• Developing Meaningful Social Roles
• Citizenship and Active Participation

CARA Day Service Sligo is a community-based, person-centred day service supporting autistic adults aged 18 and over to develop greater independence and active participation in home and community life. The programme provides a structured yet flexible environment where participants build functional literacy and numeracy, communication, social interaction, vocational, and independent living skills.

Through an individualised planning process, each participant works towards personal goals based on their strengths, interests, and support needs. Outcomes include increased confidence, improved daily living and work-related skills, enhanced social connections, greater community involvement, and improved overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Course Duration: 3 years +

Modules

• Functional Literacy and Numeracy Skills
• Vocational Skills Development
• Social Skills and Sociability
• Community Involvement and Integration
• Recreation and Leisure Skills
• Communication Skills
• Creative Expression