What qualifications do I need to be a teaching assistant in Ireland?

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Entry Requirements / Prerequisites:

Level 4 Certificate or Leaving Certificate and/or or equivalent qualification or relevant experience.
As this programme is delivered through distance learning, students must be capable of studying on their own initiative.

Are teaching assistants in high demand?

It shows that teaching assistant posts are the most sought after positions in the early years and education sectors – with the number of job postings totalling 40,965 between June and September 2020, almost double the number of teacher positions (23,457).

What qualifications do you need for a teaching assistant job?

TA Qualifications You don’t need a degree to be a TA and some schools will employ unqualified people, training them ‘on the job’. For more senior positions, schools will expect a certain level of TA qualification along with experience of working in a similar educational setting.

How long is an SNA course?

8 weeks
How long is the SNA Course? Students are given ample time (8 weeks) to complete the course and can start it at any time of the year.

How do you become a SNA in a primary school in Ireland?

Currently, students who wish to enrol must have a Leaving Certificate or Level 4 Certificate or relevant work experiences. Furthermore, to become an SNA, the Department of Education and Science states that those looking to work full-time in schools must have at least 3 passes at Junior Certificate or equivalent.

Why is there a shortage of teaching assistants?

The top two reasons for the shortage are cited as concerns around salary and lack of career development. 48% of responders believe that the staff shortages are due to fewer people joining the educator sector, while 26% of responders believe it’s down to people wanting to leave education for another industry.

Do SNA get paid for summer?

4.1 SNAs appointed on or before the first school day following the Christmas break shall be paid up to and including 31 August. 4.2 SNAs appointed on or after the second school day following the Christmas break shall be paid up to and including 12 July.