Springboard free courses available for jobseekers

I welcome the announcement that the Springboard + Initiative in Higher Education is offering free courses in Cork and elsewhere around the country this term in a number of different and growing sectors.

Springboard + Initiative is an opportunity for people out of work to get a foot back on the ladder of education and training, which will help them get back into employment. Courses available include Data Analytics, Medical Device Technology, Bio-pharmaceuticals, Project Management, Web Development, Entrepreneurship, among others.

Springboard+ allows unemployed people to re-skill in areas where we know there are sustainable jobs, now that our economy has started to recover. Eligible participants are able to retain their social protection payment whilst on a course. Also, ICT Conversion places are on offer for those who wish to reskill to the ICT sector, and are also available to those currently in employment.

 This term 27 Higher Education providers around the country have over 2,000 upskilling places available, including a number of distance-education programmes. I encourage anyone who is unemployed to investigate their options. The Springboard + Initiative in Higher Education offers free courses at Certificate, Degree and Masters level, leading to qualifications where we know there are employment opportunities.

For further information and to register for a free course people should visit www.springboardcourses.ie. Each provider has a dedicated Springboard+ coordinator on hand to deal with queries.