Springboard+ incorporates Springboard and ICT Skills Conversion programmes: it provides free or 90% funded full-time and part-time higher education courses in areas with identified skills needs and potential employment opportunities. To date courses have been delivered in the following areas: ICT; manufacturing including the bio-pharma sector; construction; entrepreneurship; cross-enterprise skills; the hospitality sector; and international financial services.
Initially Springboard was rolled out to help unemployed people with a certain level of existing skill to enhance or re-direct these into areas where there were potential opportunities. Springboard+ is now open to unemployed people and others in receipt of a social welfare payment; people who were previously self-employed; homemakers returning to the labour market; and people employed in certain sectors where an opportunity to enhance their skills would benefit both the individual and the sector.
On January 14th, 2019 the Department of Education and Skills (DES) issued a competitive call to all higher education providers for course proposals that could be funded under Springboard+ 2019. The focus of this call will be on skills for the workplace of the future. In particular on four key areas: digital skills; transversal skills; management and leadership skills; and the workplace of the future, for example emerging robotics, artificial intelligence and block chain.
The DES notes that Level 6 courses will remain free to all participants. Homemakers returning to the labour market and those in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment will continue to be able to access courses free of charge. For employed participants on courses NFQ level 7 – 9, 90% of the course fee will continue to be funded by the Government, with participants required to contribute 10% of the fee.
A qualifying Social Welfare payment for participation on Springboard+ includes: Jobseeker’s Benefit; Jobseeker’s Allowance; One-Parent Family Payment; Disability Allowance; Carer’s Allowance; Farm Assist/Fish Assist; Blind Pension; Deserted Wife’s Allowance; Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension; and Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension. A qualified adult on one of these payments may also apply; as can a person signing for social insurance credits.
Participant on one of the following schemes or payments may also apply: Community Employment; Rural Social Scheme; Tús; Back to Work Enterprise Allowance; and the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance. However, the approval of a Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Case Officer is required.
Over the past number of year the INOU has hosted the HEA’s Springboard+ helpline which supports potential learners to identify and access their best option.