Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
308. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for entry requirements to access Springboard+ courses; if there are courses specifically aimed at persons that are underemployed; the courses that are available for lifelong learning programmes; and the details of each specific course targeting skills shortages in sectors. [45721/17]
View answerSpringboard+ which incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme is a specific initiative which provides free part-time and full-time courses aimed at addressing the current skills needs of employers and supporting jobseekers to return to employment.
To be eligible for a place on a Springboard+ course a person must be one of the following:
- Unemployed, actively seeking employment, and be in receipt of one of the qualifying Social Protection allowances (as listed on www.springboardcourses.ie), or
- Signing for credits, or
- Previously self-employed, or
- A Homemaker – a person that has been out of the work environment for at least one year due to childcare or other caring obligations and has a previous history of employment but may require upskilling, reskilling or cross-skilling to transition back to the workforce, or
- In employment, including those in self-employment who wish to upskill, reskill or cross-skill in Biopharma/Med Tech or ICT sectors and those in employment, or self-employment in the ICT sector who wish to upskill from a level 7 to a level 8 qualification.
A key change implemented as part of the process for 2017 was to expand the eligibility to those already in employment. This includes the ‘underemployed’. A person who may feel underemployed relative to their education qualifications / career experience can upskill or reskill in the ICT sector or the advanced manufacturing sector through Springboard+. Given that ICT and Manufacturing represent circa 70% of all places of the 2017 Springboard+ offering there are substantial opportunities for the underemployed to update their skills via Springboard+.
There are 208 free higher education courses as part of Springboard+ 2017. All of these course have been approved on the basis that they specifically meet an identified skills need in the labour market. As a result the courses cover key growth sectors of the economy such as ICT, financial services, advanced manufacturing, hospitality and entrepreneurship.
Full details on specific Springboard+ courses are available on the Springboard+ website at www.springboardcourses.ie.
