Thousands of free and subsidised higher education places will be available to people in Galway as part of the 2023 Springboard+Â and Pillar 1 of the Human Capital Initiative (HCI).
The courses are open to people who are unemployed, returners, recent graduates, and those who are in employment and are looking to upskill or change career.
A total of 11,213 places on 357 courses are being made available nationwide.
While a total of 813 places across 31 courses have been allocated to the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway-Mayo, University of Galway and Galway Business School, 32% of all the courses nationwide will run entirely online.
And sixty-seven percent will be through blended learning, meaning people in Galway will have access to hundreds of courses across the country.
The courses on offer in this year include a Certificate in Building Digital Healthcare Communities, Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity and Software Development and Responsible Management & Leadership – Micro credential.
Launching the programme, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said: “Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 will play a vital role in our response to the green transition by providing funding for programmes in areas such as Climate, Sustainability and Renewable Energy which will provide the skills needed to help us reach our ambitious 2030 targets for energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
“The initiatives will also help us to ensure that our workforce is equipped to respond to the rapid changes in the world of work brought about by digitisation, with courses spanning areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Financial Technologies.
“In this, the European Year of Skills, it is vital that we all consider the opportunity to learn a new skill. Skills and continuous learning are vital for enabling individuals and countries to thrive in an increasingly, interconnected and rapidly changing world.”
