29 December 2016 – Minister Halligan welcomes strong results in reskilling for employment in growth sectors

29 December 2016 – Minister Halligan welcomes strong results in reskilling for employment in growth sector

Minister for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD, launched “Developing Talent, Changing Lives”, an evaluation of Springboard+ 2011 – 2016.

Springboard+ represents a €113 million investment with over 30,000 course places filled on 1,349 courses since 2011.  A further 5,825 places have come on stream in Autumn 2016.   The report being published today presents an analysis of participants, academic output and employment outcomes data for Springboard+ participants since 2011.

Springboard+ is co-funded by the Irish government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF programme for employability, inclusion and learning 2014-2020.  

Some of the key findings of the report are:

• 80% of Springboard+ participants (2011 – 2015) are no longer on the live register
• Employment rates 3-6 months after graduation have increased from 37% in 2011 to 61% in 2014
• Online only courses have increased from 10% of places in 2011 to 15% in 2016 – giving access to courses from anywhere in the country
• 16% of participants had no previous higher education qualification and employment rates for level 6 graduates have increased from 21% in 2011 to 58% in 2014, with more of these graduates also progressing to further study
• The initiative has also supported access to lifelong learning and reskilling opportunities with 63% of participants aged between 30 and 49 years and 10% aged 50 to 65
• The number of participants that do not successfully complete a Springboard+ course has steadily improved, decreasing from 35% in 2011 to 13% in 2014.   A number of non-completions do so as they gain employment during their studies

- See more at: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2016-Press-Releases/PR2016-12-29.html#sthash.Nq40vrwa.dpuf

  For Full Springboard Report link here