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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Neale Richmond today launched micro-qualifications - a new further education offering to upskill staff and future-proof businesses.
The new micro-qualifications are short, stackable micro qualification programmes that are delivered locally by the network of 16 Education and Training Boards across the country and developed collaboratively with industry.
The qualifications are aimed at employees with little or no cost to employers, and in areas such as sustainability, digital, robotics, aquaculture, business innovation and market development, and are set to expand to meet demand.
All programmes are fully accredited and lead to a Level 4, 5 and 6 Special Purpose Awards on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Commenting on the launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, said:
"The provision of accessible and flexible upskilling opportunities that can meet the demands of both business and work is critical for both employees and employers.
"In our constantly changing world of work, these micro-qualifications mark a fundamental transformation in our response to the upskilling needs of enterprise, acknowledging the necessity for employees and employers to meet the demands of the modern workplace.
“This is especially timely as we continue to deliver on strong objectives in the European Year of Skills, a year where we are encouraging individuals to avail of upskilling and reskilling opportunities.
"Targeted initiatives such as these micro-qualifications are delivering for employees and employers, both in supporting them to excel in their chosen fields, while also addressing Ireland’s critical skills gaps.”
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Neale Richmond said:
“Upskilling is central to our ever-changing work environment, allowing employees to stay competitive, boost their productivity and adapt to challenges such as digitalisation and climate change, while future-proofing our businesses.
“Skills gaps are impacting many businesses and by providing training in a range of areas, from robotics to sustainability and more to come, FET micro-qualifications will work to address these gaps for businesses while benefitting and upskilling workers.
“The result of strong collaboration between the FET sector and businesses, FET micro-qualifications will be transformative for businesses and employees across the country.”
SOLAS Chief Executive, Andrew Brownlee said:
“Today marks a significant step forward for further education and training with targeted and flexible upskilling options. FET Micro-Qualifications will ensure that enterprise remains responsive to meet the rapidly changing world of work, advances in technology and our commitments to tackling climate change.
“This ground breaking nationwide provision of short stackable FET micro-qualifications through the ETB network will deliver fully accredited upskilling opportunities at local level across the country, empowering learners to flourish in their chosen careers while upskilling staff in line with future business needs. The days of doing a block of education from age 18-21 that will serve you throughout your chosen vocation are gone – this initiative reflects the need for a dip in, dip out education and training system that facilitates the continual upskilling and reskilling now required throughout lifetimes and careers.
“The collaborative partnership between SOLAS, the ETBs and industry has been key to delivering this targeted suite of upskilling programmes. With over 60,000 people having upskilled through Skills to Advance programmes nationwide since 2019, the potential for roll-out and delivery of FET micro-qualifications to Irish enterprise at local level through the ETB network is vast.”
The programmes have been created in collaboration with SOLAS, the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs), QQI, ISME, SFA, Chambers, the Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Irish Water, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and the Regional Skills Fora.
Find what is on offer in your local area at Skills to Advance or by contacting your local Education and Training Board.
Micro-qualifications are a new and exciting further education and training (FET) offer available from Education and Training boards (ETBs). Micro-qualifications are short, part-time accredited training programmes. Micro-qualifications have been developed under the Skills to Advance initiative, which provides subsidised upskilling for companies and those in employment. 10 programmes have been developed in priority skills areas for industry including Green, Digital, and other emerging skills areas such as advanced manufacturing and business innovation. Micro-qualifications are designed by employers, industry experts, enterprise agencies and ETBs. The programmes are accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and lead to a Level 5 and 6 Special Purpose Awards on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).