Minister Lawless launches Springboard+ 2026 courses
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Encourages people to make 2026 their “Year of Me” for skills and career development
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD today announced the launch of Springboard+ 2026, which will provide more than 7,200 places across 244 courses delivered by 36 education providers nationwide.
The programme is encouraging people across Ireland to make 2026 their “Year of Me” by investing time in their skills and career development, recognising that many people put their own learning on hold due to work, family or other commitments. The programme is part of the Government’s wider commitment to promoting lifelong learning and supporting people to adapt their skills in a rapidly changing world of work.
Springboard+ courses, which include micro-credential courses since 2025, are designed to help people develop skills that are in demand across the Irish economy and prepare for emerging career opportunities. The programme includes courses in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, sustainability, healthcare innovation, advanced manufacturing and business leadership, as well as emerging fields including offshore wind energy, circular economy initiatives, carbon accounting, aircraft leasing, agri-innovation and climate-related enterprise. Many of these courses focus on sectors experiencing strong growth, particularly in digital technologies, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
Courses are available to a wide range of participants, including those currently employed, self-employed, unemployed or returning to the workforce. Many courses are delivered on a part-time, flexible or online basis, enabling people to gain new qualifications while continuing to work or manage other commitments.
The programme is structured to ensure flexibility and accessibility, with heavily subsidised costs for employed learners and fully funded options for unemployed participants. Full or part-time Springboard+ courses are free for unemployed participants and returners to the workforce, while those in employment typically pay just 10% of the course fee, with micro-credentials having 50% of fees subsidised for all learners, regardless of employment status. These subsidisations make the programme one of the most accessible routes to gaining higher education qualifications in areas of skills demand.
Launching the programme, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD said: “Springboard+ continues to play a key role in helping people across Ireland develop the skills needed in a rapidly evolving economy. I would encourage anyone considering their future to make 2026 their ‘Year of Me’ by taking time to invest in their skills and future career development.
“The programme offers practical pathways into emerging industries and areas of strong growth such as artificial intelligence, offshore wind, sustainability, healthcare innovation and advanced manufacturing. By supporting people to upskill and reskill, Springboard+ also helps ensure Irish enterprise has access to the talent and expertise needed to compete and grow.”
He concluded, “I would encourage employers to support their staff in taking part in Springboard+ courses. The programme is part funded through the National Training Fund, which is supported by contributions from businesses and reinvested in workforce development. This gives employers an opportunity to see a practical return on that investment by helping staff develop new skills and capabilities that strengthen their organisations.”
Dr Vivienne Patterson, Head of Skills, Engagement and Statistics at the Higher Education Authority, said: “Springboard+ continues to provide accessible opportunities for people to gain new qualifications and progress their careers. In a rapidly changing world, taking time to reflect on your skills and future career direction has never been more important.
“What makes the programme particularly valuable is the wide range of flexible courses available, from Level 6 certificates through to Level 9 postgraduate qualifications, all designed in collaboration with higher education providers and industry to respond to real skills needs. With significant financial support available, Springboard+ gives people from many different backgrounds the chance to take that first step towards developing new skills and opening up new career opportunities,” she said.
Aideen Brennan, from County Roscommon, who recently completed a Springboard+ course in Human Resource Management through Technological University of the Shannon, said the programme helped her rebuild confidence and develop new skills following a significant life and career transition. After being diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer, Aideen was subsequently made redundant from her job in retail.
“After recovering from cancer treatment and making a major career transition, the 2024 Springboard+ course came at exactly the right time for me. It allowed me to get a Human Resource Management qualification as I moved into managing a co-working hub, while the flexible online format meant I could study in a way that suited my health and recovery and my schedule.
“The course helped me rebuild my confidence and reminded me of the strength and resilience I had developed through that experience. It was a hugely positive journey and even led to me being invited back to speak to students on the programme, which was a very proud moment for me. Taking the course was an important step forward for me and showed how valuable it can be to take time to invest in your own development,” Aideen said.
Springboard+ courses are developed in partnership with higher education institutions and industry to ensure they align with current and future workforce needs. The programme also supports employers by enabling staff to develop new skills that strengthen organisations and contribute to long-term economic growth.
Applications for Springboard+ 2026 courses are now open, with further information on available courses and eligibility at www.springboardcourses.ie.
NOTES
Eligibility
For full details on eligibility, visit https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility
Dates
Questions about specific courses, such as start and end dates are available from the relevant course provider.
Background to Springboard+
Springboard+, which is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, complements the core State-funded education and training system and provides free and subsidised upskilling and reskilling higher education opportunities in areas of identified skills need.
Since 2011, over €450 million has been spent on Springboard+ and over 122,000 people have benefited from the programme to date. Springboard+ courses are at Level 6 (Certificate) to Level 9 (Masters) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are delivered by public and private higher education providers around the country.
All courses approved for funding under Springboard+ are selected following a competitive tendering process. In particular, courses with a proven track record in getting people back into employment are recommended for funding.
Applicants currently in employment qualify for a 90% subsidy on fees on Springboard+ part time and ICT full time courses. Applicants currently unemployed or seeking to return to the workforce after a career break to care for loved ones, qualify for a free place on these courses. Applicants to Springboard+ Microcredential courses pay 50% of the cost of the course. All courses approved under Springboard+ 2026 will start between August and 31st October 2026.
European funding
The EU provides funding for a broad range of projects and programmes covering various areas, from education, research, employment, regional development to the environment, humanitarian aid, agriculture, and the marine, among many others. Significant support is available to small and medium-sized businesses, non-governmental and civil society non-profit organisations, young people, researchers, farmers, and public bodies, to name a few.
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
The ESF+ is the EU's key instrument for investing in people, focusing on improving employment and education opportunities as well as enhancing social inclusion and tackling poverty. The ESF+ Managing Authority in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is responsible for the implementation of ESF+ in Ireland.
Employment Inclusion Skills and Training Programme
Ireland’s ESF+ programme is called the Employment Inclusion Skills and Training (EIST) Programme. EIST will see Ireland benefit from €508 million in ESF+ funds from the European Union for the 2021-2027 period. This, together with a planned national contribution of €573 million, will amount to a total EIST budget of over €1 billion.
EIST will see investment in:
- access to employment
- skills and lifelong learning for all
- tackling poverty and social exclusion
- food and basic materialassistanceto the most deprived
- social innovation