Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) has today launched its new 2020/21 Part-Time Courses Prospectus which includes more than 90 flexible learning programmes aimed at supporting learners to upskill, retrain or continue their professional development through accredited higher education and training.

This year marks a significant increase in the institute’s part-time programme offering of approximately 30 percent and includes the launch of new courses relevant to high demand areas such as augmented & virtual reality, supply chain management, hospitality and cuisine, data analytics, sustainable energy, healthcare management, medical device technology, cybersecurity and digital design & interactive media. Further information about part-time courses is available via www.dkit.ie/parttime

Speaking today, Head of Lifelong Learning, Anton Barrett said,

“We are delighted to launch our largest ever part-time courses prospectus which was developed in response to the growing demand by employers and learners in our region to access high-quality upskilling and accredited education and training opportunities. Given the changing nature of learning and the shift towards online learning, the majority of our part-time programmes will be delivered in a flexible/online and blended format via our Dundalk campus. We are also excited to continue our partnerships with Cavan Innovation and Technology Centre (CITC) and Cork College of Commerce through the remote delivery of a select number of programmes.”

The launch of the new prospectus coincides with the recent announcement by the Government that DkIT has been awarded €3.25 million in Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiative funding to deliver a wide range of free or partially funded upskilling opportunities to learners across North Leinster South Ulster.

More than 600 higher education places will be available to prospective learners looking to upskill, change career or return to employment, with courses distributed across DkIT’s four Schools in: Business & Humanities, Engineering, Health & Science and Informatics & Creative Arts.

As part of Springboard+ 2020, a total of 210 places are available across 13 courses from Level 6 to Level 9 with some courses commencing in September and others in January 2021. Approval has also been given for an additional 10 full-time postgraduate courses (402 places) under the Government’s Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 to run for three academic years from 2020/21 to 2022/23. These HCI courses are specifically for graduates looking to upskill in a new area of work through a postgraduate diploma.

Welcoming the announcement, Michael Mulvey, PhD, President of DkIT, said: “

At the heart of the Springboard+ initiative is an emphasis on the importance of lifelong learning and up-skilling. These are attributes long-shared by DkIT and we are proud to continue our long-standing association with successful online and flexible learning. The approved Springboard+ courses offered at DkIT are in areas that have been deemed by Government as being of critical importance such as digital skills, soft skills, management and leadership, and the workplace of the future. They present an exciting opportunity for learners, irrespective of their backgrounds, to reinvigorate their careers by learning new skills and helping driving Ireland’s knowledge economy forward.”

Candidates who wish to participate in Springboard+ 2020 will find full details on the approved courses on the dedicated information and applications website: www.springboardcourses.ie or www.dkit.ie/springboard. 

ENDS.