General Trainings and Courses

Training Platforms

There are many valuable and well-recognised training providers and institutions in the development sector. Initially, it may be best to source the course you are interested in by checking out two very practical and useful platforms, Learning Point and Community Exchange (Activelink).

• Learning Point - The new website from The Wheel for all your training searches, enquiries and needs! Just input the topic in which you wish to train and it will search the database for courses nationwide!
  Website: http://www.learningpoint.ie/courses/
• Community Exchange (Activelink) - Community Exchange provides a communication channel for groups and individuals involved or interested in the work of community and voluntary organisations in Ireland.
  Website: http://www.activelink.ie

Training Providers

Individual training providers and institutions are mainly concentrated in the higher-populated Dublin area, but relevant courses and trainings can be found all over Ireland. If you are a training provider or organisation and you'd like us to place a link to your website here, please email paul@comhlamh.org

Dtalk

The new Development Training & Learning @ Kimmage (Dtalk) Programme was formally launched in March 2005. It aims to promote a culture of learning and knowledge sharing within the Irish international development sector. The Programme will ensure that development workers and volunteers about to undertake work in the developing world are adequately trained and prepared for the challenges and complexities of their future roles. The Programme will also provide professional development opportunities for head office and country based staff of NGOs and missionary organisations and will be involved in preparing election observers for overseas election missions.
Courses and other learning events will be provided in a wide variety of subjects such as security management, stress awareness, mediation and conflict, civil society strengthening and gender planning.
Joint training events and in-house training can also be arranged by Dtalk. Please see 'Tailor Made Courses' under Courses or contact Patricia Wall (Programme Coordinator) for further information.
The new Development Training and Learning Programme takes over the work of the APSO Training Centre which was integrated into Irish Aid in January 2003.
The learning partnership managing the programme is led by Kimmage Development Studies Centre with INTRAC, MS-TCDC and MDF.
For further information and info on courses in 2007, contact: Patricia Wall, Programme Coordinator. Telephone: +353 (0)1 406 4424. Email: Patricia.Wall@kimmagedsc.ie

Website: www.dtalk.ie

The Wheel

The Wheel is a support and representative body connecting Community and Voluntary organisations across Ireland. Established six years ago with a mandate from over 200 organisations and individuals, The Wheel has evolved to become a resource centre and forum for the Community and Voluntary sector. The Wheel is currently engaged in the Sector Skills project, addressing the training needs of the Community and Voluntary Sector. It is hoped that this project phase will in time form the basis of sustained, ongoing skills development for the sector.

Website: http://www.wheel.ie/user

Comhlairle

Comhairle is the national support agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on social services. Comhairle recognises the role that training plays in the delivery of quality information services, in the development of social policy mechanisms and in the support of voluntary organisations which deliver social services.
Website: http://www.comhairle.ie/

The Carmichael Centre

Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups is a centre for small national voluntary organisations working at the cutting edge in areas such as disability, illness, education, the arts, the environment and social care. Founded in 1988, it provides a total package of supports in an environment that promotes active citizenship and mutual support.
Website: http://www.carmichaelcentre.ie/

Suas

Suas is a youth and education focused organisation, which facilitates young people to address educational disadvantage at home and overseas. Suas is secular and is a registered charity.
Website: www.suas.ie

A whole range of organisations also provide tailored Trainings and Courses, including Amnesty International (www.amnesty.ie), The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation (http://www.glencree.ie/), the Latin America Solidarity Centre (www.lasc.ie) and Common Purpose (www.commonpurpose.ie).

International Providers

INTRAC

INTRAC is a non-profit organisation working in the international development and relief sector. We support non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) around the world by helping to explore policy issues, and by strengthening management and organisational effectiveness.
Website: http://www.intrac.org/pages/training.html

Directory of Social Change

The Directory of Social Change aims to be an internationally recognised independent source of information and support to voluntary and community sectors worldwide. We enable the community and voluntary sectors to achieve their aims through being an independent voice, providing training and information.
Website: http://www.dsc.org.uk/courses&training.html