Upskilling

Upskilling refers to learning and developing skills for the workplace. Some do it to improve their chances of getting a job, while others up-skill in order to improve their career and salary prospects.

For some, up-skilling may involve improving their reading and writing skills by accessing a basic education course through their local ETB. For others, up-skilling involve improving their computer skills through an evening course, or an employer may encourage their staff to improve very specific skills needed in their workplace.

A number of government upskilling programmes have been developed to encourage individuals to continue their learning and increase their skills level. Many of these programmes include financial supports. If you are unemployed, or want to further your education, there is likely to be a support programme that will help you financially, while doing a course you may be interested in.

Further Education and Training (FET), offers a wide variety of life-long education options to anyone over 16. FET courses are provided at levels one to six on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

FET includes:

Apprenticeships
Traineeships
Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses
Community and adult education
Literacy and numeracy services, including English language courses
Youthreach
Evening courses
Back to Education Initiatives (BTEI) courses
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
Skills for Work programmes

FET courses and programmes are primarily provided through Education and Training Boards (ETB) (previously the VEC) throughout the country, but also through other local providers (such as National Learning Networks, Resource Centres and Community Training Centres for example) and online through SOLAS’ eCollege.

Click on the app below to search for Further Education courses or PLC courses:

If you want to talk to someone about courses available near you, contact your local ETB or your local Adult Guidance Service

Apply for a Further Education and Training courses:

There is no central application system or equivalent to the CAO as it is for Higher Education. However, for many courses, but not all, on fetchcourses.ie, you can press ‘apply’, or submit an ‘Expression of interest’ once you have registered and logged in on the website. For the courses without an ‘apply’ option online, you have to contact the provider directly to enquire about the application process.

If you receive a social welfare payment, you may qualify for specific training programmes and financial support while studying. Talk to your Intreo case officer about your options, and you can also read about different schemes here

Read more about PLC here

For more information on FET options see www.thisisfet.ie

Courses at third level (also called Higher Education) are offered by Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities, and independent Private colleges. There are different types of courses in the higher education sector, including:

Ordinary Bachelors degrees are undergraduate degrees which are normally 3 years in duration. NFQ Level 7.
Honours Bachelors degrees undergraduate degrees which are normally 4 years in duration. NFQ Level 8.
Postgraduate diplomas are often linked to professions such as teaching or librarianship. The subject may or may not be different from the primary degree. 1 year in duration. NFQ Level 9.
Masters degrees can be either taught or based on research. Masters degrees lasts 1-2 years. NFQ Level 9.
Doctorate degree are either ‘traditional’ (research) or ‘Structured’ (some taught modules and research) and take a minimum of 3 years, but often longer. Level 10 on the NFQ.

Click on the app below to search for Higher Education Courses:

Apply for Undergraduate Higher Education courses

Applications for undergraduate courses are done through the CAO (Central Application Office).

Note: Mature students (over 23 years) can apply to CAO even if they do not have a Leaving Certificate. Most third-level colleges reserve a small number of places in full-time day courses specifically for mature students.

There are many university access programmes available that support mature students to progress into degree programmes within the universities.

View further information about access courses here

Apply for Postgraduate studies

For postgraduate courses you generally apply directly to the university or college.

View more information about postgraduate studies here

Listen to Learner experience of Springboard+ Courses: click here

The Springboard+ upskilling initiative in higher education offers over 11,000 free and subsidised courses at certificate, degree and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy. Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 will extend the approach currently in place for ICT under Springboard+. It will offer incentivised places for graduates to reskill in areas of skills shortage and emerging technologies e.g. ICT, High End Manufacturing, Data Analytics, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, via graduate conversion courses.

The HCI Pillar 1 funding will provide funding for full-time graduate conversion courses. Courses at level 8 Higher Diploma and level 9 Postgraduate Diploma on the National Qualifications Framework will be funded under this Pillar. The majority of courses are part-time for a maximum of 12 months and are open to all applicants; Employed, Unemployed, and Returners who meet the eligibility criteria at the time of course commencement.

The following are eligible to apply for Springboard courses (subject to the applicant meeting all requirements, including academic requirements):

Returners (Formerly referred to as Homemakers) - May apply to all courses if they meet the nationality/visa requirement and residency criteria. Course specific criteria may also apply.
People in employment - May apply to all courses if they meet the nationality/visa requirement and residency criteria. Please note that a 10% course fee contribution for Level 7, 8, and 9 courses is applicable for employed participants. This is payable directly to the provider.
The unemployed or formerly self-employed - May apply to all courses with the exception of the two-year part-time ICT conversion courses. Unemployed applicants will also be required to meet additional DEASP related criteria. They must have been in receipt of a recognised DEASP payment for 9 of the previous 12 months if they wish to participate on one-year full-time ICT Skills Conversion courses.

See Am I Eligible For a Springboard+ Course?

To read more about Springboard+ or to apply to a Springboard+ course, click here

Skillnet is a Government agency and one of its roles is to support Learning Networks. Skillnet Learning Networks are groups of businesses within the same industry sector or region with similar training needs. They work together to respond to the specific skills needs of the sector.

Skillnet Ireland Learning Networks offer a number of re-skilling and up-skilling programmes, designed for people seeking employment.

You are eligible to apply for a course if you are in receipt of a welfare payment from DEASP. If you are not in receipt of a welfare payment but your circumstances are described below, you are also deemed eligible:

Former sole traders and business owners
Recent graduates who are unemployed
Homemakers
Retirees seeking to return to the workplace
Individuals who fail to qualify for social welfare payments because of a spouse’s income
Individuals signing on for credits but in receipt of no social welfare payment
Individuals who have recently accepted redundancy payments
Non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals holding immigration Stamp 4

The courses are often short in duration and may be a one-day workshop for example. To find out more about Skillnet: click here

Search for Skillnet courses here

(If you have lost your job)

Skills Connect is a series of free training and upskilling programmes that can include industry-based work placements to support people who have lost their jobs. You can learn new or additional skills that will help you secure a new role in your previous sector or find a new role in a new sector.

Skills Connect programmes are free, delivered online and offer structured support for career development.

By taking part in a free Skills Connect training programme, you will:

develop new skills
build your confidence
improve your employability
access practical, industry-based work placements

Skills Connect programmes are delivered by Skillnet Business Networks across many industry sectors where there is high employment potential and a demand for talent, including:

technology
agri-food
medtech
cyber security
logistics
energy efficiency and retrofitting
customer experience (CX)
law
digital marketing

View all Skillnet Business Networks currently delivering Skills Connect programmes.

Eligibility criteria

People who are entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit payments from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) are eligible for Skills Connect courses and can keep their payments subject to the Back to Education criteria of DSP.

People in receipt of other forms of income support from DSP, including the PUP, may also keep their payments subject to the Back to Education criteria of that department.

You should always check your eligibility to retain your payment with your Intreo office.

(Skills needed in the workplace)

‘Skills for Work’ is an up-skilling programme for employees to help them deal with basic skill demands of the workplace. All ‘Skills for Work’ courses include literacy and numeracy as well as a variety of subjects ranging from communications, computing, interpersonal skills, problem-solving and report-writing.

Programmes may be delivered on the company premises or in an ETB education centres, they are 35 hours in total. The courses are flexible in order to meet the needs of employer and employees and most programmes are accredited.

You can search for suitable courses near you on www.fetchcourses.ie.

(if your job is changing or to upskill)

Skills to Advance provides upskilling and reskilling opportunities to employees in jobs undergoing change and to those currently employed in vulnerable sectors. It aims to equip employees with the skills to progress in their current job, or to take advantage of new job opportunities. Video: click here

Courses are available in the following areas:

leadership and management
health and welfare
business and administration
services
information and communication technologies (ICTs)
engineering
manufacturing
construction

Eligibility criteria

Skills to Advance has opportunities for everyone to upskill or reskill, particularly if you are:

currently working in a lower-skilled job
aged 50 or over
currently working in a job that is experiencing significant change

Tip: Search for Skills for Work, Skills to Advance, Specific skills courses from our Course Finder – select Skills for Work from the Programme selector.

There are almost 30,000 places on PLC courses available each year, as well as a range of apprenticeships and traineeships, across every county in Ireland. PLC courses are designed to include practical and academic study alongside work experience. The qualification can lead to employment but can also be used as a springboard to further or higher education and training. Courses typically start in September each year. There are fantastic progression opportunities to higher education, employment, and apprenticeship opportunities.

Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses are typically one or two year, module-based programmes of study, covering a wide range of subject areas.
PLCs are flexible and are developed in response to the needs of industry and the job market. Many provide training that will lead directly to specific jobs. Some include work placements as part of the programme.
Class sizes in PLCs tend to be smaller than in universities and institutes of technology (IoTs) and lecturers are generally available and quite accessible to students.
PLC courses are available in around 200 schools and further education colleges around the country, mainly offered by Education and Training Boards (ETBs). This may eliminate the need for a student to relocate.
Most PLCs offer a QQI qualification. This is now widely recognised and is often a job requirement, such as in Childcare.
PLC courses can also serve as an alternative way of accessing a third level degree course. However, there may be no need for further third level study, as qualifications from many PLCs are internationally recognised i.e. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants and City and Guilds.

To watch inspirational learner stories: click here

To search courses: click here

eCollege is the national online learning service for the Further Education and Training sector, funded by SOLAS. The eTutor team are all trainers specialised in their own subject fields such as Office, IT, Programming and Graphic Design. All students who join eCollege are assigned an eTutor who can assist and guide you through your studies These are a range of FET on-line courses completely free of charge to everyone.

To view all courses and to apply: click here

Fastrack to Information Technology (FIT) is a not-for-profit, industry-led organisation which works in close collaboration with government department, national education and training agencies, local development organisations and a host of community based organisations.

Search for FIT courses from the FIT website

Specialist Training Providers (STPS) deliver a range of flexible training programmes for people with disabilities, focusing on ICT and vocational multi-skills for example.

Courses are generally one to two years in duration
Courses lead to accreditation at levels 1-6 on the NFQ.

Adult learners on these courses can often access a number of enhanced services for its learners including additional training duration; adapted equipment; transport arrangements; enhanced programme content which may be required for a person with a disability to achieve their potential. An enhanced trainer-learner ratio is also available on these programmes.

To find out what courses are available near you, contact your local ETB or Adult Guidance Service

Part-time evening courses provide short up-skilling modules for both unemployed and employed persons. The courses are usually 30 hours spread out over 10 weeks. Examples of courses include Welding, Interior Design, ECDL, CAD, Door Security, Supervisory Management, and Start Your Own Business. Courses generally lead to accreditation at levels 4-6 or certification from a recognised Industry accrediting body. There may or may not be fees involves, so check with the provider of the course you are interested in.

Search for Evening courses in your area from our Further Education & Training Course Finder