6
000 Springboard places filling up fast
Following two very successful Springboard roadshow events last week, Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon T.D., is urging jobseekers to check out www.springboardcourses.ie for a place on a Springboard upskilling course this year.
The courses are free, part-time, and are at certificate, degree and postgraduate level.
36 institutes of technology, universities and privately-run higher education colleges around the country are offering 220 Springboard courses this year.
Each course is specifically designed to provide jobseekers with skills to work in growth sectors, such as ICT, medical devices, the green economy, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and international financial services.
Programmes are also available in cutting edge cross-enterprise skills such as Six Sigma, lean and quality systems, international selling, languages, business start-up and entrepreneurship skills.
Last week, over 2,000 jobseekers attended Springboard roadshows in Dublin and Cork. These were organised by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.
5,200 people have already applied for free courses of their choice under the Springboard Programme.
Minister Cannon said: "Springboard provides exciting new opportunities for people who have lost their jobs and want a new career direction to get back to work.
"There has been a fantastic response to-date. 6,000 places are available across 220 different courses, with the majority of courses starting next month.
"So with application deadlines fast approaching, I really encourage anyone who is unemployed and finding it difficult to get work to consider applying for a Springboard qualification that could take them into a new career in one of Ireland's growth industries."
Industry leaders are also urging jobseekers to apply.
Charlie Dolan, from Eli Lilly, spoke on the biopharma-pharmachem sector at both events.
"The atmosphere of hope and optimism at both of the Springboard roadshows was remarkable. There was a real sense that people were finding something in Springboard that they feel is going to help them get out of unemployment, get their careers back on track and provide prosperity for themselves and their families into the future," he said.
Alan Markey, chairman of Irish Medical and Surgical Trade Association, the medical technology supply association said: "The medical technology device sector now has over 160 companies, employing over 30,000 people in Ireland, and generating sales in excess of €7 billion.
"IMSTA welcomes and supports initiatives such as Springboard as it provides the industry with qualified people who also have a proven track record in employment. Our members look forward to connecting with Springboard graduates who wish to pursue a new career in the dynamic medtech sector."
Jobseekers can visit www.springboardcourses.ie to get all of the information they need and to make a course application.
A Freephone Guidance line 1800 303523 is also in place to assist people with course choices and applications. The HEA-funded Freephone line is being hosted in the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed.