Spring to it!
Over €4 million has been secured by CIT to provide almost 800 course places for people who are seeking to reskill or upskill.
Under the 2020 Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiatives, the funded places are spread over 23 courses in a broad range of disciplines including cybersecurity, cloud computing, data science and analytics, construction management, quantity surveying and culinary skills, as well as in automation and control, supply chain management, manufacturing practices and systems, information design and development and leadership development.
550 of these places will be available in September 2020, with the balance becoming available during the following two years. The Springboard+ initiative provides free higher education courses in areas of identified skills needs to unemployed people, those previously self-employed, and those returning to work. For employed participants who wish to upskill, 90 per cent of the course fee will be funded by the Government. The Human Capital Initiative offers incentivised places on a range of newly-developed courses for graduates to reskill in areas where there is evidence of skills shortage and emerging technologies.
Prof Irene Sheridan, Head of Extended Campus, CIT, said: “With a focus on sustainable employment, all courses respond to digitalisation and the future world of work ensuring that future-proofed graduates are equipped with management and leadership skills as well as transversal skills to meet the needs of growing and emerging sectors of the economy.”
Michael Loftus, Vice President for External Affairs at CIT said: “As CIT moves forward with IT Tralee to establish the Munster Technological University (MTU), we are fully committed to the development of graduates who have the skills, positive attitude and overall ability required by industry. While this focus has always been centrally important to our work, it is now more vital than ever that we work to support industry at a time of unprecedented challenge associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This funding will enable us reskill and upskill those seeking employment, as well as those who are currently in employment, at their time of greatest need. Our extended campus and academic departments are committed to industry engagement and our partnerships with enterprises and representative groups, such as the South West Regional Skills Forum, ensure that our courses are current and relevant. The work-based learning approach which has been designed into these courses will maximise the employability of the graduates.”