The Institute of Technology Tralee has secured over €1.16 million in funding and 472 places under the Government’s Springboard+ initiative for the academic year 2019/2020. In total, IT Tralee offers 16 programmes through its Life Long Learning Department, as part of its Springboard+ offering.

Courses offered at IT Tralee under the Springboard+ programme include Food & Beverage Operations, Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Revit, Digital Marketing, Validation, Biopharmaceutical Processing, Industrial Instrumentation and Automation, Mechatronics, Quality Management, and Culinary Skills.

IT Tralee has announced 7 new programmes for September 2019 intake including Certificate-level programmes in Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things, Development Operations and Lean UX. 

From September, IT Tralee will also offer a Post Graduate Diploma in Circular Bioeconomy with Biobased Business. Co-developed by an interdisciplinary team, from IT Tralee, UCD and Teagasc, this NFQ level 9 programme will provide students will a critical understanding of the theories, concepts and frameworks of the circular bioeconomy from technological, environmental, social and business perspectives. 

Brid McElligott, Vice President for Development, Research and External Engagement at IT Tralee, said, “The Springboard+ initiative offers free, part-time courses leading to qualifications that are in demand among employers. Many courses focus on future-proofing the skills of people already in employment, particularly in roles that may be impacted by digitalisation. For the past decade, IT Tralee has worked with over 2,000 Springboard students, resulting in many Springboard graduates now pursuing rewarding and challenging careers.’

All courses selected for funding under Springboard+ 2019 are in areas of identified enterprise skills needs. IT Tralee is a recognised leader in working with industry and industry bodies, and has developed these courses to meet the needs of employers for skilled and qualified staff.

Commenting on the announcement by IT Tralee, Siobhan Bradley South-West Regional Skills Forum Manager said, 'The South-West Regional Skills Forum is delighted to welcome the 2019/2020 suite of upskilling Springboard+ programmes offered by IT Tralee.  In addition to its already successful and highly relevant offerings in manufacturing, ICT and business, the Forum commends IT Tralee’s new Springboard+ programmes which address emerging and growing skills priorities for companies across the South-West and nationally.' 

Springboard+ courses are free for people who are unemployed, those who were previously self-employed and returners to the workforce. Courses are also free for people in employment, on NFQ Level 6 courses. For employed participants on courses NFQ level 7 – 9, 90% of the course fee is funded by the Government, with participants required to contribute just 10% of the fee.

Members of the Lifelong Learning Department at IT Tralee will be available over the coming weeks to meet on an individual or group basis to advise potential students looking at a return to education. Further information on course availability, eligibility criteria and the application process are also available by contacting the Institute at 066 7191701 or by visiting www.springboardcourses.ie