FUTURE PROOF YOU
Why there has never been a better time to return to education!
MORE and more workers are deciding to go back to education to help them progress in their careers. Whether it’s to change career or gain a qualification to get a promotion, there’s never been a better time to do it.
Since its inception, the University of Limerick, UL, has pioneered innovations for developing skills and supporting lifelong learning. UL’s unrivalled links with industry have led to programmes and courses that focus on real world problems in a relevant, challenging and rewarding manner.
UL works with businesses to design and develop a wide range of academic programmes and courses that address specific skills and knowledge across multiple sectors both regionally and nationally, allowing individuals the opportunity to upgrade their skills, switch careers, or stay updated with the latest advancements in their respective fields. These flexibly delivered, work-friendly programmes provide a structured and supportive environment that equips individuals with the knowledge, practical experience, and resources needed to adapt to a rapidly evolving world and continuously enhance their skills throughout their lives. In addition to this, Government funded initiatives such as Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar1 programmes offer great opportunities to avail of heavily subsidised education courses for those who want to return to the workplace and foremployees to enhance their career prospects.
UL is committed to developing pathways for its students to progress through higher education, providing flexibility for all students through the availability of learner centred initiatives such as micro-credentials, stackable degrees and executive apprenticeships.
Micro-credentials often termed MicroCreds are an excellent shorter commitment stimulus for professional learners. These accredited, enterprise-powered qualifications allow learners to gather skills and competencies in a flexible, fast and affordable way. They are bite-sized, short, sharp solution to competency gaps, facilitating shorter staff release allowing freedom and autonomy to manage your own developmental pathway. Micro-credentials are designed so that enterprises can recognise and integrate critical skills into their workforce while also facilitating individuals’ career growth in a highly stackable way. Micro-credentials motivate individuals to re-engage with education without over-committing and provide a stepping-stone to a Diploma or Masters in career development.
Responding to the growing popularity and the diversity of options in apprenticeships, UL is the first university in Ireland to offer higher-level executive apprenticeships and the first university in the world to offer a level 10 (PhD) apprenticeship. These apprenticeships, developed by a consortium of industry leads in partnership with UL, target the expanding needs of businesses in Ireland as well as positioning Irish industry to be leaders on a global scale. Executive apprenticeships offer learners the opportunity to upskill while they are at work, increasing their skill level, often in high demand industries, and providing a retention tool for organisations. They offer an amazing opportunity to working learners to progress their education and their career.
John P. O'Loughlin M.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), B.Bus - Senior Supply Planning & Purchasing Analyst, Stryker:
"I left school after my Leaving Certificate and couldn’t even tell you how many points I got. I said to
myself that I needed to do something to future proof my career. The key is to choose a course that
you are interested in and find that practical application with what you do within your day job."