Looking for a new career or just a new hobby? Here's some evening class ideas

Summer is over and the children are back in the classroom. But while they were reluctant to begin the autumn term, for adults it is an opportunity to enhance our careers or take up a hobby. We look at some the adult classes available — covering a range of topics, from accountancy to navigation.

COOKERY:

Cookbooks and cookery programme are the new sex, they say, so it’s hardly surprising that so many people want to improve their skills in the kitchen.

* 8 Dinner Party evening classes at Ballincollig Community School are popular with budding chefs, who want to be more creative with their menus.

This ten-week course covers every aspect of a full meal, and students will prepare the dishes under tutelage.

Course dates: Classes begin the week of Sept 23.

Course content: The intense course focuses on everything needed to create the perfect dinner party — including starters, main courses, desserts and finger food. A knowledge of cooking is essential. The course is open to everyone.

Price: Starts at €100.

Length of course: The course lasts for 10 weeks and takes place on Wednesday evenings, from 7.30-9.30pm.

* More information: Call Eileen Collins on 021-4875401, or visit www.balcs.ie.

* Just Cooking in Kerry offers classes to suit all abilities and taste buds. Situated 15 minutes from Tralee and Killarney, the classes will appeal to anyone who has a love of cooking. The organisers say students should not worry about being located too far from the school, as accommodation and transport can be arranged.

Course dates: These vary, with one interactive demonstration session on weeknights, and hands-on courses on Saturday mornings and some evenings.

Course content: Very informative, relaxed courses, with loads of tips, covering up to five dishes on a themed menu and with a tasting of all dishes.

Price: Starts at €35 per person.

Length of course: Five hours — but courses can be tailor-made for groups, depending on what they require.

* More information: www.justcooking.ie or [e-mail]; 086-6095318, 066-9793660.

LANGUAGE:

Many native English speakers do not speak another language, or not as well as they should, because they know English will be understood in most other countries.

But times are changing and it is more necessary than ever to have fluency in a foreign language.

* Teach Me Mandarin, in Dublin, offers classes in this increasingly important, oriental language, as well as giving an insight into Chinese culture.

Course dates: Sept 17, starting at 18:30 and 20:00, respectively.

Course content: Step one is a basic introduction to Mandarin and Chinese culture and covers introductions, nationalities, travel phrases and the ordering of food and drink.

Step two is more focused on interactive conversation.

Both courses finish in a Chinese restaurant, where students will order food in perfect Mandarin.

Price: €195.

Length of course: eight sessions of 1½ hours each.

* More information: Text CHINA to 086-8142222, or visit www.teachmemandarin.com.

* Spanish and Portuguese at UCC:

Course dates: All courses start the week of Sept 21.

Course content: Courses emphasise spoken language skills with highly trained tutors, all of whom are native speakers.

Price: €170 for 10 weeks, €150 for unwaged/retired.

Length of course: 10 weeks, two hours a week.

* More information: Email Clodagh McAllen on [e-mail].

BUSINESS STUDIES:

A degree in business is a smart and popular move, and there are various options available, including full-time and part-time courses.

* Master of Business at CIT: This masters’ degree in business is two years, culminating in official accreditation.

The work is divided into four semesters, each lasting 15 weeks — with the final one involving a dissertation.

Course dates: Starts Sept 11, 2013 and runs until Sept 2015.

Course content: Four semesters, consisting of lectures, tutorials, live case studies, visiting lecturers, consultancy projects.

Price: €2,950.

Length of course: Two years.

* More information: Email [e-mail] or call 021-4335335.

* Certified Public Accountant at Limerick College of Further Education: This CPA course at LCFE is for 27 weeks, and is suitable for people interested in a professional accountancy qualification, which will enable them to work as an auditor, financial controller or director, management accountant or consultant.

Course dates: Starts Sept 23 — classes run on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

Course content: Financial accounting, taxation, information systems, management accounting.

Price: €250 per subject — there are four subjects.

Length of course: 27 weeks.

More information: Visit www.lfce.ie or call 061-414344.

CHILD and HEALTH CARE:

Courses in both childcare and in health-related subjects are fast-becoming very popular choices for students, as opportunities arise in education and healthcare.

* FETAC Level 5, early childhood care and education, at Cork College of Commerce, promises to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills and competence to work in a variety of early-childhood centres, as work experience is an integral part of the course.

Course dates: Starts Sept 23.

Course content: Child development, early care and education practice, early childhood education and play, child health and wellbeing, infant and toddler years, work experience, communications and creative arts for early childhood.

Price: €180 per each of the eight modules.

Length of course: Two years.

More information: Call 021-4223811 or email [e-mail].

* FETAC national vocational certificate, level 5 — intellectual disability practice at Waterford College of Further Education prepares students to work as special-needs assistants in pre-school and primary schools. It is suitable for both school-leavers and experienced, mature students.

Course dates: Starts Sept 30.

Course content: Intellectual-disability studies, community inclusion, work experience, communications, understanding special needs, empowering the individual, occupational first aid, community arts context and practice, patient manual lifting and handling, facilitating learning.

Price: €385 per module, to a total cost of €3,080, plus €250 fee for occupational first-aid course.

Length of course: Two years.

* More information: Visit www.wcfe.ie.

* Safety and Health at Work: This course, at Templemore college in Tipperary, is aimed at those working in healthcare support. The programme module equips the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to promote and maintain safety and health at work.

Course dates: Classes begin on Monday, Sept 20.

Course content: The course covers all aspects of health and safety in the workplace.

Price: €190.

Length of course: The course lasts for 10 weeks and takes place on Monday evenings, from 7-9pm.

* More information: email [e-mail], or call 0504-31544.

FLORISTRY:

There is a flower for every occasion and learning how to arrange bouquets, or even wreaths, is not only a hobby, it is also a skill that many people turn into a successful business.

* The floral design programme at Limerick College of Further Education will suit anyone who has an interest in flower-arranging and those who would like to develop their design skills.

Course dates: Starts Sept 23.

Course content: Basic floristry, bridal and church flowers, occasion and designer floristry.

Price: €70 tuition fee, €50 for materials, and an extra €7-10 per week for flowers.

Length of course: 10 weeks.

* More information: Visit www.lfce.ie or call 061-414344.

* Kay’s School of Floristry: This flower-arranging course in South Circular Road in Dublin, is over four evenings, from 7pm - 9pm.

All materials, sundries and flowers are supplied, so there is no extra cost after enrolment.

Students will learn different aspects of bouquet, wreath, and brooch-making and all designs can be taken home.

Course dates: Sept 3, 2013

Course content: Flower-arranging, bridal floristry and sympathy floristry.

Price: €200 includes all materials required.

Length of course: Four weeks.

* More information: Visit www.kaysschool.com or call 01-4538649.

UNUSUAL CLASSES

While many people sign up for courses in accounting, childcare and beauty treatments, many others think outside the box and choose alternative classes — whether it’s creating with food, discovering the world around them or even learning to make the perfect Martini, there are many unusual classes.

* Mixology and Cocktail Making: Anyone who sees themselves as Tom Cruise, in Cocktail, should head to CIT for this course in mixology.

Unusual, but interesting, it will appeal to anyone in the bar or hospitality industry who wants to add another string to their bow, or, indeed, to those who simply want to impress their friends.

Course dates: Classes begin in early September — dates will vary, so contact the college direct. Course content: bar management, mixology and cocktail-making.

Price: €400.

Length of course: The course lasts for eight weeks and takes place one evening every week.

* More information: visit www.cit.ie.

* Navigation and Hillwalking: This course, at Ballincollig Community School, takes learning out of the classroom and into the mountains. Students will discover how to read maps and navigate their natural surroundings.

Course dates: Classes begin the week of Sept 23.

Course content: This unusual course will appeal to anyone who wants to get out and about this autumn — particularly as there are a couple of practical classes in which students can get to grips with the local environment.

Price: €95.

Length of course: The course includes five theory classes, and two hill exercises in the Galtee and Knockmealdown Mountains.

* More information: call Maureen O’Brien on 021-4875401, or visit www.balcs.ie.

* Ocean and Hydro Energy: For anyone with an engineering mindset, this course at the Cork Institute of Technology should be of interest. A certificate-awarded course, the syllabus is covered in a three-month, part-time programme and discounts are available for groups of three or more.

Course dates: Classes begin in early September; contact the college for further information.

Course content: The course is suitable for people who are studying mechanical and manufacturing engineering.

Price: €850.

Length of course: The course lasts for 12 weeks and takes place one evening a week.

* More information: email [e-mail] or call 021-4326264.

* Sugar Craft: These classes are popular at Ballincollig Community School, with many people wanting to learn how to amaze their friends and family with decorative goodies.

Course dates: Classes begin the week of Sept 23.

Course content: The intense course focuses on learning to decorate birthday, christening and wedding cakes.

Price: Starts at €90.

Length of course: The course lasts for eight weeks and takes place on Monday evenings, from 7.30-9.30.

* More information: call Mary Hogan on 021-4875401, or visit www.balcs.ie.

* Food Hygiene: This course, at the Cork Institute of Technology, is certified by the Environmental Health Officers’ Association, and would be ideal for anyone who is working in the food industry or has plans to do so.

Course dates: Classes begin in early September — dates will vary, so contact the college direct. Course content: all aspects of food hygiene and HACCP.

Price: €230, plus examination fee of €30, approx.

Length of course: The course consists of nine hours of theory, followed by a one-hour examination.

* More information: [e-mail].

* Introduction to Barbering: This course, at Templemore College, in Tipperary, offers an insight into the life of the barber.

Ideal for anyone who is interested in learning more about men’s grooming, it will suit both beginners and experienced hairdressers.

Course dates: Classes begin on Thursday, Sept 23.

Course content: All aspects of barbering — participants are required to bring their own head block, or model, and equipment.

Price: €75.

Length of course: The course lasts for six weeks and runs from 8.30pm to 10pm, on Thursdays.

More information: email [e-mail] or call 0504-31544.

* Spa Treatments: This course, at Cork College of Commerce, is ideal for anyone who works in a spa or is interested in furthering their career in that area.

Course dates: Classes begin on Oct 1.

Course content: This includes the history of spas, hydrotherapy and floatation, masks, wraps, seawater and seaweed treatment, safety precautions and hygiene procedures. It is certified by the ITEC.

Price: €300.

Length of course: The course lasts for 10 weeks.

* More information: email [e-mail].