Workers see reskilling as key to career progress, says HEA

Workers are keen to avail of Ireland’s expanded micro-credential course offerings, says Dr Vivienne Patterson of the Higher Education Authority

Dr Vivienne Patterson (second left), head of skills and Engagement at the Higher Education Authority, joins Springboard+ learners Elton Rocha, Megan Killeen and Shelley Coleman to highlight new research showing that affordability, stress and uncertainty about making the wrong career choice remain significant barriers to upskilling for many adults in Ireland. 

Earlier this year, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science announced a major expansion of Ireland’s micro-credential offering, with 179 micro-credentials approved for an 80% learner fee subsidy, under the Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy (LFS) initiative.

Assessed for funding by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the micro-credentials will provide 3,881 subsidised learner places across 26 higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide. The approved programmes respond to enterprise skills demands and are aligned with national and regional skills needs, particularly in areas of digital transformation skills.