Studying as well as working full-time is a big commitment but shorter accredited courses – so-called “microcreds” – are soaring in popularity as a means to break free from career stagnation and excel in an organisation. Growing demand means there are a wealth of courses available for employees to complete on a part-time basis, from business leadership and coding to project management and cybersecurity.
Jenny Hayes, head of the Ibec Academy, says organisations are increasingly looking to offer accredited programmes as part of their talent development strategies.
“The learning helps to develop the skills and knowledge needed, while offering participants a recognised award in the process,” she says. “Micro-credential courses are short and flexible learning experiences that focus on key areas of growth and development, which can be availed of in a flexible way, as part of a person’s lifelong learning journey. They combine real work skills development and knowledge in a way that is easily accessed and embedded in the learner’s journey.”
A big selling point for microcreds, Hayes says, is that they allow for learning at the person’s own pace and ensure that the learning and awards are “stackable”, so they can be built upon over time.
“Also, they give students milestones to achieve in terms of their career development, while providing recognition for their achievements along the way,” she adds.
Ibec has seen a significant growth in the uptake of micro-credential programmes in the past five years across all sectors of the economy, Hays says.
“Programmes in areas such as leadership, management, employment law, human resources, coaching, mediation and project management have all grown in popularity, with some students taking multiple courses in a short period of time and others spreading their learning over a number of years,” she adds.
The largest growth area, however, has been in the area of customised programmes, where organisations are now building micro-credential awards into their tailored development programmes.
“This way, their people gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to do their roles more effectively, while at the same time gaining a qualification from Ibec and TU Dublin,” says Hayes. “Ibec’s strategic partnership with TU Dublin has allowed us to provide real and practical programmes, which meet the needs of the organisation, while offering an award at the same time.”
Ibec Academy operates across all industries and sectors; its research has consistently shown that the number one priority for most organisations is talent acquisition, followed by leadership development, Hayes says.
“The world of work has changed very significantly in the past few years, challenging managers across all sectors to create strong working relationships in their teams, where growth, agility, performance and new ideas are central to how we all work,” she adds.
“Micro-credential programmes in the areas of people leadership, human resource management, coaching and mediation are particularly relevant in terms of developing leaders in today’s environment, while offering career development opportunities which include accredited awards can assist with talent acquisition and building employer brand.”
Louise Allen is director of the Creative Futures Academy (CFA), a collaborative partnership between the National College of Art and Design, University College Dublin and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology. She agrees that accredited micro-credential courses are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility, relevance to industry and accessibility.
“In today’s fast-evolving society, professionals seek bite-sized, skills-focused learning that can be completed alongside work commitments,” says Allen. “CFA is working towards a model where learners can move between higher education institutions, ‘stacking’ their credentials as they go, providing much greater autonomy to the student, professional and lifelong learner to design their learning journey.”
CFA offers a wide range of accredited courses, including at bachelor and master’s degree levels, which Allen says provide opportunities for learners to build a portfolio of creative skills to meet their specific needs.
“For example, a creative professional working in film and media might want to hone their skills by undertaking a certificate in production management, give themselves an edge by doing a certificate in immersive sound design for film or understand how creative research could inspire a new production. Or professionals across a range of sectors may want to understand how strategic design skills can add competitive advantage.”
Those with a creative edge can aim for a certificate in speculative design futures, which could be the catalyst for radical entrepreneurship and innovation, or a course in creative writing which could see them join the stage and screen industry. These courses are designed and developed with and for industry, with luminaries such as musician Dónal Lunny, actor and screenwriter Mark O’Halloran, theatre director Jenny Jennings, and director of the Dublin International Film Festival Gráinne Humphreys contributing expert advice and insights on an ongoing basis.
“This variety ensures that learners can engage with high-quality, industry-led training in a way that suits their schedules and learning preferences,” says Allen. “This flexible approach enables learners to upskill without stepping away from their careers, making professional development more accessible and impactful.”
Again, the real beauty of micrcreds is in their inherent accessibility. CFA’s courses are designed to be flexible and accessible, catering to working professionals and those balancing multiple commitments. Formats include part-time and full-time options, blended learning with a mix of online and in-person sessions, and fully online courses for maximum flexibility, as well as in-person workshops and masterclasses led by industry experts.
CFA attracts a diverse range of learners, Allen notes. “We have creative practitioners and professionals looking to expand their expertise in areas like digital media – gaming, sound design, animation and immersive tech – film production and media, fashion communications, sustainability, user experience, strategic and service design, fine art, arts management, creative writing and more,” she says. “We have seen significant interest across a broad range of scientific, medical and business sectors.”
CFA’s art and ecology module, for example, has attracted scientists, botanists, environmentalists and artists, while certificates, diplomas and part-time MAs in design have attracted professionals working in banking, medicine, insurance and with numerous multinationals.
“Data visualisation appeals to any professional who needs to communicate complex data in understandable ways,” Allen adds.
CFA has collaborated with businesses such as Accenture and Institute of Directors Ireland to develop and deliver programmes to support their employees and members.
A big barrier to further education is of course cost but the majority of the programmes run by the Ibec Academy are fully funded by employers.
“Organisations recognise the value and importance of upskilling their people to retain and attract talent as well as ensuring their people have the skills, knowledge and competence to excel in their roles as we head into the future,” says Hayes.
Many CFA courses also qualify for financial support and subsidies through industry collaborations and government initiatives, making it easier for both businesses and individuals to invest in upskilling. Last year CFA was awarded a total of €315,640 from the Human Capital Initiative HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials Subsidy funding.
