HEA announces over 50 Springboard+ funded courses at ATU

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is offering 55 Springboard+/HCI funded courses across its campuses in Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Sligo in Science, Technology, Engineering and Business disciplines under the 2024 Springboard+/HCI Pillar 1 Programmes, unveiled Tuesday 21 May 2024, by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan, TD and Minister of State at the Department, Niall Collins, TD.

Co-funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the European Union, the Atlantic TU approved courses are free for unemployed or returning participants for all levels and for all participants on Further Education (L6) programmes. For those in employment or self-employed L6 programmes are fully funded and there is 90% funding available for participants opting to study ordinary degree (L7), honours degree/higher diploma (L8) or postgraduate (L9) level courses.

Atlantic Technological University has received funding from HEA/Springboard+ since 2011 to design and deliver a range of upskilling courses in key growth areas including Biopharmaceutical Science, Quality, Engineering, Computing & Information Technology, and Construction. The 55 ATU Springboard+/HCI courses will be delivered across the university’s campuses in Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway, with many delivered part-time, online and offering a flexible learning approach.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological University said: “We welcome the launch of the Springboard course list for 2024/25 by Ministers O’Donovan and Collins. ATU’s impressive suite of subsidised Springboard courses is reflective of our ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and the employability of our students. Our university continues to develop and deliver programmes that address the evolving needs of industry, both regionally and nationally, covering a wide spectrum of disciplines, such as culinary arts, automation, electric vehicle technology, MedTech, biopharmaceuticals, cybersecurity and more. Our Springboard courses also recognise the needs of individuals looking to upskill, and our part-time, flexible study options have been specifically tailored to suit the personal and professional commitments of learners.”

ATU Galway-Mayo student, Renata Bieniek said: “Before starting the Springboard course, I was working in various medical device companies, usually on the production floor as a Product Builder and I really wanted to progress. Zimmet Biomet at the time gave me an amazing opportunity to work as a Document Control, and I decided to take that challenge, but I felt that I didn’t have enough knowledge and really wanted to fulfill the role as best as I could. In order to do that, I felt I needed further education, and this is why I looked into the courses for Regulatory Affairs, and I came across the course in ATU. I was very nervous when I started, but ATU gave me so much support. My lecturers absolutely inspired me and supported me to complete the course. It was such a nice atmosphere and I really enjoyed being part of it. It was the best decision that I ever made and the best life adventure that I have had so far.”

ATU Sligo student, Marcela Hutnikova said: “I previously studied Transport Management and Tourism, I worked as an administrative assistant, and I had jobs in offices or at reception – totally different fields to pharma! When I was looking for a course for the biopharmaceutical industry, I was looking for something very flexible. I had a full-time job and a one-year-old baby, so this online course was perfect for me. The lecturers were really helpful, and the lessons were recorded. This was great because if you were unavailable to attend the lessons you could watch them in your own time. As a result of the course, I’m delighted that I now work as a Supplier, Quality Engineer, and Internal and External Auditor.”

ATU Donegal student, Monish Pawar said: “Before starting the course, my educational background was an Engineering Degree in Electronics and Telecommunications, with 14 years of professional experience in the IT sector. The springboard course I opted for was very good and properly outlined with a prominent syllabus. The tutors were great, they helped me a lot throughout the course. After completing this course, I was able to apply my learnings in my actual job which worked well. Due to this, I was promoted to the role of Test Director. I was handling a team of eight and now I’m handling a team of 26, so it is a huge jump. For this immediate success, I would give full credit to the Springboard course I completed at ATU.”

Many of the Atlantic TU courses are delivered part-time, with the majority fully online or blended and are completed within one or two years.  Springboard+ is now accepting applications for courses starting in September 2024 and January 2025. Applications can be made from 12pm on the 21 May 2024 on the Springboard+/HCI website: https://springboardcourses.ie.

Further course details are available through the ATU website at www.atu.ie/springboard