Springboard+ to Hold Free Information Days in Dublin and Cork this Month

Two information events showcasing the free third-level courses available through this year’s Springboard+ programme will be held in Dublin and Cork later this month.

Springboard+ is the government programme aimed at upskilling and reskilling jobseekers to work in growing enterprise sectors that need skilled personnel. It is run by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills, and provides free part-time and intensive conversion courses to thousands of jobseekers each year. Courses are provided at Levels 6-9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

The first information and showcase event for Springboard+ 2016 will take place at the Printworks building in Dublin Castle on Tuesday, 16th August. This will be followed by an event at the Metropole Hotel in Cork City on Thursday, 18th August. Both events will run from 12 noon to 5pm.

At both showcase events, attendees can access information and meet representatives from over 20 colleges and institutions, all of which provide free courses through the Springboard+ programme.

The Higher Education Authority will also be present at both events, with HEA staff on hand to answer any questions attendees have.

There will also be workshops with employers and employees who have experience of Springboard+, as well as expert advice from professional guidance counsellors.

Open to All and Free to Attend

Commenting in advance of the showcase events, Dr. Vivienne Patterson of the Higher Education Authority said: “The great thing about Springboard+ is that there is a huge array of free courses on offer, ranging from tech to tourism and from culinary arts to manufacturing skills.

“No matter what your previous experiences of education or work, you should be able to find a course that suits you. And best of all, all Springboard+ courses are designed to give you skills that are in high demand amongst employers and to further your chances of getting a great new job once you complete the course.

“The showcase events are open to all. Entrance is free, and no registration or sign-up is required. So I would encourage anyone thinking about upskilling or finding a great new job to come along to either the Dublin or Cork event to find out more.”

Almost 6,000 Free Places

This year, almost 6,000 free places are on offer under Springboard+, with almost half of all places being offered in ICT, an area of major skills shortages nationally.

180 free courses are on offer in total, covering areas such as biopharma, manufacturing, cross-enterprise skills, entrepreneurship, international financial services, construction, and international trade, as well as ICT.

Thirty-six colleges nationwide, both public and private, are offering courses throughout the country.

Full details of available courses, applications and the eligibility criteria can be found here: www.springboardcourses.ie.