Springboard+ 2025 Launches with Focus on Futureproofing
.jpg)
TU Dublin welcomes the launch of Springboard+ 2025 by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, TD. The announcement brings nearly 8,000 free and subsidised places on higher education courses across Ireland, offering flexible learning options that enable individuals to upskill or reskill in a rapidly changing world of work.
Announcing this year’s programme, Minister Lawless said:
“Springboard+ is one of the most impactful investments this government makes in the further education of its people. These courses are designed to respond directly to evolving skills demands, particularly in fast-growing and high-impact sectors. It offers thousands of learners the chance to upskill or reskill in areas where Ireland needs talent from artificial intelligence to infrastructure planning to cybersecurity.
“As Minister, I’m proud to support Springboard+ with €34.4 million from the National Training Fund. This programme empowers people to study alongside work and personal commitments with courses that are heavily subsidised or free, making upskilling more accessible and achievable for everyone. I encourage everyone to look at what is available as whether you’re advancing in your current career, pivoting to a new one, or stepping onto the career ladder for the first time, Springboard+ is designed to open doors in an affordable, flexible way that has real career impact.”
TU Dublin is proud to be among the 37 higher education providers delivering Springboard+ programmes in 2025. Our courses are designed to meet learners where they are, whether advancing in their current role, pivoting careers, or returning to education after a period away. They are delivered through a combination of online, blended, and part-time delivery.
Among the many success stories is Sean McCaffrey, a TU Dublin Springboard+ graduate who spent 16 years in the Irish Defence Forces before enrolling in a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership in Business. “The course opened doors I never thought possible,” Sean said. “It gave me new skills, boosted my confidence, and helped me advance my career with Iarnród Éireann. TU Dublin’s flexible learning approach made all the difference.”
With two-thirds of prospective learners identifying ‘futureproofing’ as their main motivation, Springboard+ continues to provide real-world value. It offers nationally accredited qualifications ranging from Level 6 to Level 9 on the NFQ. This year, 26 micro-credentials are also available for those seeking focused, short-term upskilling options.
Since 2011, over 110,000 learners have benefited from Springboard+ and more than €400 million has been invested in the programme. TU Dublin remains committed to expanding access to transformative learning opportunities, helping individuals and businesses build the skills needed for a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive economy.
Applications for Springboard+ 2025 open on 3 June.
To explore TU Dublin’s courses, visit springboardcourses.ie.