Coinciding with the change to hybrid and online working models, there has been a 20% rise in the number of adults participating in adult education and Lifelong Learning (LLL) courses.
A report published by SOLAS last month highlighted that in 2023, the largest number of adults to date participated in upskilling.
Of the nearly 2.78m adults aged between 25 and 64 years old, 388,700 had engaged in formal or non-formal learning in quarter four.
Springboard+ is a government initiative offering courses at certificate, degree, and master levels leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the wider Irish economy.
What people might not realise is that these courses are free for the unemployed, previously self-employed and returners to the workforce.
For others in full-time employment, 90% of the course fee is funded by the Government, with participants required to contribute the remaining 10%.
There are currently 11,500 places available across 350 courses in different Higher Education Institutions for the 2024/25 academic year.
Breaking down barriers
Dr Vivienne Patterson, head of skills engagement and statistics, at the Higher Education Authority, emphasises that one of the reasons for the increase in demand from adults returning to education is the wide availability and flexibility of courses.
This is reflected in the Springboard+ learning models, with 80% of courses available online.
“Since more people are working from home, with reduced commuting, it has resulted in them wanting to do more in terms of their lifelong learning. They can log in and out at a time that might be suitable for them. Springboard+ takes into account particularly women who are at home and might be looking after children,” says Vivienne.
A huge barrier for those wanting to access higher education is being able to afford courses, which is why funding is crucial.
“What we’re finding is that cost is a real barrier for people. The fact that Springboard+ is free for people who are unemployed or who are going to return to the workplace or are on some kind of social welfare benefit, results in a low cost of only €100 to €300 depending on the course,” says Vivienne.
The funding for courses comes from The National Training Fund levy imposed on employers. As a result, the Springboard+ courses must be reflective of the needs of the employers and areas of skill shortages.
“When we put our call out to the higher institutions on the types of courses that they might provide, we are always in contact with employers and employer bodies to ensure that they align with key national priorities,” says Vivienne.
There are different types of people looking for different things out of the Lifelong Learning (LLL) journey.
For younger people coming into the workforce, there is an expectation that they will continue their education journey.
According to Vivienne, one of the things they ask future employers in an interview is about a training budget. The other cohort of people might be more established but are worried about their skills and being left behind.
“Interestingly, 75% of our participants are in work, that’s flipped massively from when the initiative started in 2011. At the time, 90% of people doing the courses were unemployed,” says Vivienne.
Wind energy
There has also been a large increase in the need for upskilling in the wind energy space to meet demands.
“We talk about the green economy, but now wind energy and all that comes with it is the blue economy. This is an area that’s going to be massive over the next couple of years. We have to now think about training people to be ready for that,” she says.
The online learning model allowed mum-of-four, Orla Maire Keane, to complete the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 1: Postgraduate Diploma in Bioanalytical Chemistry (PDBCM).
Childcare access
Like many, access to childcare prevented her from returning to the workforce as she is living on the smallest Aran Island, Inis Oírr.
“On the island, we have no créche or childcare. There is a preschool where children do three hours a day. Like a lot of women that have moved in, you kind of end up being caught at home in a way because there is no support. There is no network for us to leave the kids or to have help with childcare,” she says.
With a degree from University College Cork (UCC) in biochemistry, Orla was working in a science facility in Dublin, when a family decision saw her move to the island, where her husband is from. This resulted in her leaving work a year after she had her first child Annie.
“We decided to move back and I knew going there that there would be no job opportunity for me other than working in tourism, so that was hard. I worked from home for a while in science giving lectures,” says Orla.
After two years, she stopped lecturing as she didn’t feel she had enough up-to-date knowledge. However, Orla knew she wanted to be working and raising her family.
“Everything revolves around the kids and you have nothing for yourself. I knew I wanted to get back into biochemistry and research but I was out of it for eight years and my confidence was gone,” says Orla.
When looking up diplomas in UCC, Orla came across the Springboard courses. If it wasn’t funded, she wouldn’t have been able to do it.
Even though she knew doing the course was going to be a big undertaking, Orla felt she had to do it while the funding was there. “If I didn’t do it then, I might have missed out on the opportunity,” she admits.
The accessibility of the course was also a major factor as she couldn’t have physically been in a classroom as it takes her over two hours to get from the island to Galway city.
A new hub on the island with broadband made it easy for Orla to access her lectures online.
With her youngest aged two and a half, she has decided to start the Master’s continuation in September with the hope of getting remote work when he is in school.
“I have more confidence in myself in every aspect because I’ve achieved something really difficult. What slows you down is that you don’t believe you can do it or that it’s going to be too hard and you’re not able.
“I went into it thinking I was not going to be able for this but I will just give it a try,” she says. “Now I am so glad I did.”
Courses are now open for applications on the Springboard+ website and at different times throughout the year. Visit: springboardcourses.ie
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