Prof Martin Hayes
Professor of Digital Technologies and Academic Lead, the UL@WORK Project
With a variety of funding schemes available for wide-ranging courses, now is the best time for people to upgrade their skills and learn more about digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
In Ireland, numerous learning opportunities are emerging for those interested in enhancing their digital and AI skills. Options spanning from introductory sessions to microcredentials and Professional Diplomas are subsidised or fully funded now at the University of Limerick, making it an ideal time to start upskilling.
Promoting upskilling and reskilling
Martin Hayes, Professor of Digital Technologies and Academic Lead for the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 3 UL@WORK project at the University of Limerick (UL), explains how the recently developed courses that are now being offered enable AI upskilling, reskilling and professional development.
The Government-funded HCI programme is specifically designed to encourage students to take up careers where skills deficits are most apparent in the Irish economy. Pointing to the University’s track record of work-integrated learning within the Irish education landscape, he acknowledges that learning about new developments in AI, data and automation can initially appear daunting.
He emphasises the advantages of non-credit-bearing short courses in enabling people to make a start by discovering what their aptitudes are “without a long-term commitment in one particular direction.”
Part-time courses for professionals
The courses are generally part-time, to cater to working professionals, job returnees or career changers. From beginner to expert levels, they cover specialised skills for anyone looking to enhance their expertise.
“The UL programmes are designed for a variety of different learners; people who need deeper technical skills in cutting-edge areas like Natural Language Processing and AI for Computer Vision but also, for example, those who are interested in pivoting to new careers in in-demand areas like cybersecurity,” adds Hayes.
Flexible jobs and opportunities available
Underlining why now is a good time to take these courses, he says: “Firstly, there are financial inducements. There has never been a better time in relation to national government funding through HCI and also EU-funded Digital Europe programmes that are helping people to embark on their own tailored upskilling journey.”
HCI Pillar 1 enables people to do microcredentials and Pillar 3 supports one-year, part-time diplomas with 50–80% fee reductions while Digital Europe is supporting short courses, which are 100% fully funded. “A second factor is the rapid pace of change within careers involving the use of AI, machine learning and data,” adds Hayes.
While people are busy at work, they
can still successfully upskill and build
expertise in an accelerated fashion.
Flexible jobs and opportunities available
Hayes points to the flexibility of the University of Limerick courses, such as the Master of Professional Practice, which recognises the successful pursuit of three one-year part-time diplomas within a six-year window.
“This approach recognises that while people are busy at work, they can still successfully upskill and build expertise in an accelerated fashion, following a path that suits them, with peer support in a collaborative community of practice.” This demand for new skills, and these opportunities, comes as a response to the EU challenge to create 20 million additional ICT experts before 2030.
In addition to the HCI, there are Digital Europe funding options like REBOOT Skills and Project EAGLE; these EU-funded projects are primarily developed for SMEs, aiming to upskill the workforce where time poverty is most pronounced: in crucial areas such as AI and cybersecurity via high-quality specialised training courses.
Graduated steps towards qualifications
Hayes suggests a progressive approach, starting with low-tariff, de-risked entry into upskilling via short courses and microcredentials, followed by an accrual of educational credits, if desired, using suitable ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) approved programmes. This process enables individuals to gradually accumulate credits, akin to building blocks, towards achieving their diploma or degree.
AI assisting diverse job roles
Hayes concludes: “The idea of being able to do things more quickly and reliably, using technology that is human-centred, presents society with a real opportunity to deliver a future that benefits everyone. There is an urgent need for us to have more people with the necessary skills capable of grasping that opportunity.”
