Introducing a fresh platform designed to bridge the skills deficit
MicroCreds.ie, a new Irish government-subsidised, university-accredited lifelong learning platform, has been launched to address skills shortages and support Ireland's ambition to have 60% of adults engaging in some form of upskilling by 2030.
The platform, developed by the Irish University Association in collaboration with university and enterprise stakeholders, offers over 800 subsidised courses and has supported over 5,000 learners as part of the State Human Capital Initiative. Seven universities are involved in the launch, including Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway, and University of Limerick.
Key features of MicroCreds.ie include wide accessibility and flexibility, government backing, and university accreditation. The platform aims to make upskilling and reskilling opportunities more accessible and sustainable, with funding through the National Training Fund under the Higher Education Authority’s Human Capital Initiative (HCI).
The courses on MicroCreds.ie cover key skills areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, data programming, digital disruption, Fintech, and more. They are short-term, flexible, often completed within a few months, and designed to be practical and targeted at the workplace. Some courses offer certificates upon completion.
The price for courses on MicroCreds.ie ranges from €200 to €2000, depending on the duration and provider. The government aims to introduce a learner fee subsidy to continue supporting affordable access permanently. Employer sponsorship is also accepted for many micro-credentials.
Jools O'Connor, Project Lead for MicroCreds at the Irish University Association, stated that the platform has over 300 courses available, covering a range of skills from business to creativity. Micro-credentials on MicroCreds.ie are quality-assured by leading Irish Universities.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, emphasized the importance of making upskilling and reskilling opportunities more accessible. He stated that the launch of MicroCreds.ie will allow learners to re-enter the workforce, progress in, or futureproof their careers. Professor Kerstin Mey, President of University of Limerick and Chair of IUA Council, believes that micro-credentials offer a solution to help Ireland reach its 2030 upskilling target.
In summary, MicroCreds.ie is a government-supported, university-accredited platform providing flexible, subsidised micro-credentials focused on priority skills for lifelong learning and workforce development in Ireland. It emphasizes ease of access, quality assurance, and alignment with national skills strategies.
- The MicroCreds.ie platform, designed for lifelong learning and workforce development in Ireland, offers over 800 subsidised courses aimed at personal growth and learning, encompassing key areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, and Fintech, making upskilling and reskilling opportunities more accessible and sustainable.
- As part of Ireland's ambition to have 60% of adults engaged in upskilling by 2030, the launch of MicroCreds.ie, a government-supported platform, aims to facilitate education-and-self-development by providing learners with practical, short-term courses, ensuring the alignment with national skills strategies and making it easier for learners to re-enter the workforce, progress in, or futureproof their careers.
