TODAY’S WORLD OF work is changing at a rapid pace. With technology moving swiftly and AI tools being adopted at most workplaces, professionals can find themselves in need of new skills to help them progress.

In addition, companies themselves are noticing a skills gap in Ireland – according to Ibec’s 2025 Skills Survey, 82% of firms report “significant skills gaps that are actively undermining productivity, innovation, and competitiveness”. 

One way of bridging this gap, without the financial or time commitments of a full university programme could be a microcredential. Shorter courses like these are less daunting, and can help you upskill in areas meaningful to you and your employer.

Microcredentials

Microcredentials are short courses which offer the chance to learn new skills and work on your personal development, while also factoring in the realities of full-time work, family commitments, and financial considerations. Microcredentials are flexible, practical, and deliver tangible value without requiring the commitment of a full degree.

They can help people who want to reskill, upgrade their CV, enhance career prospects, move to a new sector, or upskill and move upwards in their own job. The course learnings could be applied immediately in your current role, or utilised to support a career change.

With flexible study options, you can fit these short courses around work and personal commitments, while investing in education that provides a clear return in terms of career opportunities, confidence, and professional growth.

Microcredentials can be particularly useful for learning new skills that are relevant to today’s job market, such as in areas influenced by digital transformation, AI, sustainability, leadership, and emerging technologies.

University-level learning is more accessible than you may think. TU Dublin’s microcredentials give people the opportunity to gain practical, university-accredited skills in a flexible way, helping them stay competitive and progress their careers without the commitment of a full degree.

Microcredentials currently on offer at TU Dublin include AI for Business Professionals, AI for Healthcare Practitioners, and Strategy and Leadership in the Built Environment. Through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Microcredential Course Learner Fee Subsidy Initiative 2026, TU Dublin is offering an 80% fee subsidy on nine microcredential courses, making upskilling more accessible than ever. With fees starting from as little as €200 for eligible applicants, these short, flexible courses provide an affordable way to gain in-demand skills and advance your career.

Microcredential courses typically award between 5 and 30 ECTS. Funded places are limited, so early application is strongly recommended, and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ready to upskill? Explore TU Dublin’s microcredential courses on the TU Dublin website.