Universities, institutes of technology, private training companies, professional bodies, regulatory authorities and State agencies all offer programmes in everything from cybersecurity and AI to supply chain management, environmental governance and change leadership. For anyone trying to navigate this landscape without a map, the sheer volume of choice can feel paralysing.
For workers in Ireland, the local Education and Training Board (ETB) provides both information and practical courses.
Mary Lyons, director of enterprise, employees and skills at Solas, the further education and training authority, says the fragmentation of provision can be a problem.
“But if you contact the ETB, the enterprise engagement adviser will be able to translate the different offers and assist you to find the right course,” she says.
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The Skills to Advance website has a regional map directing people to their nearest contact point, and Enterprise Ireland has recently launched an enterprise hub with a call service.
There are other options. These include the traditional postgraduate qualification: typically completed in one to two years, and particularly useful for graduates with a general degree in arts, business or science who want to develop a sharper professional focus.
Microcredentials are short, focused modules typically completed in around 50 hours, often online and in your own time, and which can in many cases be stacked toward a full postgraduate award.
Funded by Solas, eCollege.ie offers more than 90 free, part-time online programmes across digital skills and career-focused specialisms.
For those who need something less formal, or who want to test an interest before committing to an accredited programme, the informal learning landscape has expanded considerably. Coursera aggregates massive open online courses (also known as MOOCs) from third level institutions worldwide, available free or at low cost. Alison.com, an Irish company, offers more than 1,000 free courses across a wide range of subjects.
For something lighter still, microlearning platforms make it possible to build knowledge in small increments: Khan Academy offers more than 7,000 free videos and lectures, while GoHighBrow delivers a five-minute lesson to your inbox each morning across more than 300 topics.
State funded programmes, such as those run through the ETB network, are typically low or no cost because they are designed to address workforce needs. Commercial providers are businesses, and their pricing can reflect that.
Lyons says that the deciding factors for learners are when the course is on, what commitment is required and cost.
“The key things are, is it relevant, who designed it, and how up to date it is,” Lyons says.
“Scrutinise the learning objectives, and if you have doubts, ask the tutor: what will you be able to produce with the learning you have gained?” she advises.
Delivery format is often what determines whether a learner finishes a course or abandons it. Lyons offers two examples from learners who recently took the same AI microcredential by different routes. One, working remotely with colleagues spread across locations, chose blended delivery for the in-person element: the networking, the sectoral conversation, the human contact. The other, with significant work and business commitments, went fully online.
“Some people learn well online and others may not have the motivation,” Lyons says.
“You need to reflect on your learning style, your commitment, your availability, and the opportunities for networking and advancement.”
Programmes designed for working professionals tend to build assessments around practical workplace projects, which delivers immediate value to employers at the same time as advancing individuals’ qualifications.
“When looking at a course, see if it is about information and understanding, or about application,” Lyons says.
Beyond the qualification itself, Lyons points to the importance of developing transversal skills throughout life. These are the crucial human skills that machines do not have, such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication and research. Because AI can now perform simpler tasks, roles are constantly changing, employers ultimately want to know that the people they hire can learn and adapt.
All this said, for anyone who has not engaged in formal learning for some time, continuous professional development can feel daunting.
“Just take the first step and the rest will follow: the new networks, new friends, and the satisfaction of having done it,” Lyons says.
