IRELAND IS CURRENTLY suffering from a skills gap, which means that now is the perfect time for you to round out your CV with a subsidised, accredited micro-credentials course.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the term ‘micro-credentials’, David Corscadden, Communications Manager for the MicroCreds project at the Irish Universities Association, sums it up: “Micro-credentials are short, flexible quality-assured and enterprise-led courses.”

“They make it easier for people to engage with lifelong learning. In general, they are four to 12 week courses for a couple of hours a week. It’s an easy commitment to make.”

Micro-credential courses are tailor-made to help you improve your knowledge and skill-base in specific, high-priority areas, offering you the chance to up-skill without taking any time away from work. 

Universities across Ireland are offering over 650 such courses, many of which are subsidised up to 80% through the HEA Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy. This wide range of courses means you can prioritise areas which are in high-demand among Irish employers and could work to your advantage when moving up in your career. These niche areas include renewable energy, sustainability, construction and planning, artificial intelligence, cyber security, ICT and electronic engineering. There are around 400 courses on the HEA website that are currently taking applications.

Offering a learner perspective, Cahir O’Leary said: “It’s about understanding what is that skill I want to acquire, and then what options are out there to allow me to acquire that skill?” O’Leary, who took his course on the campus of University of Limerick, said that what appealed to him about his micro-credential course was the opportunity to work in-person, in a group with fellow learners from different backgrounds. Further student testimony can be found on the MicroCreds YouTube channel.

Courses offer flexibility so you can fit them around your current commitments, and 96% of micro-credential courses are either entirely online or make use of a blended approach. If you are simply too busy to attend in-person education, 43% of all micro-credential courses are fully online. 

Speaking about the importance of lifelong learning to Irish society, Dr Kevin Marshall, Head of Education at Microsoft Ireland and Chair of the National Skills Council, said: “We stand at the intersection of profound global shifts – demographic changes, rapid digitisation and the urgent and necessary drive for sustainability. These forces are not just challenges but opportunities for Ireland to lead, innovate and grow.

“However, to fully harness these opportunities, our workforce, and society as a whole, must be equipped with the skills to adapt to new and emerging demands, with lifelong learning, re-skilling and upskilling becoming a necessity in everyone’s lives.”

This attitude is broadly reflected in the courses on offer, which in many cases are geared forward-looking courses that could help futureproof your career. Some of the available courses include Entrepreneurial Innovation Practice, Data Management and Visualisation, Computer Forensics and Secure Software Development. Visit here to browse the full range of courses. 

“Over 2,500 learners have already availed of HEA subsidised courses in a huge range of high skill needs areas from AI and aviation to podcast production and water management. There are over 13,000 places available on 650 courses, with fees cut by up to 80%. The learner fee subsidy provides a great opportunity to upskill yourself with exciting and innovative skills at a reduced fee rate,” said Sorcha Carthy, a Senior Manager for Skills and Engagement at the HEA.

By making use of the Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy, some courses cost even less than €100. It may be the smartest investment you ever make. 

To learn more about applying for a micro-credentials course through the HEA, visit here.