Skillnet Ireland, the state business support agency for competitiveness, productivity and innovation, and the University of Limerick (UL) have launched Ireland's first enterprise-led micro credential programmes dedicated to climate action.
The courses designed to meet the demands of learners, enterprise, and organisations have been developed by Skillnet's Climate Ready Academy.
They allow participants to develop tailored sustainability charters and action plans for their organisation across energy, sustainability, waste and circularity. while also achieving recognised third-level certification on the National Framework of Qualifications.
The micro credentials may be stacked over time, leading to a full Level 7 award accredited by the University of Limerick.
The three programmes are called Energy Leaders, Waste and Circular Economy Leaders, and Sustainability Leaders.
In Association with
Skillnet said they are designed to incentivise and support employees in developing practical environmental improvements for their businesses.
Paul Healy, CEO of Skillnet Ireland, explained: ““These new micro-credentials offer participants the opportunity to achieve a level 7 certificate. This expertise will be used by leaders in practical ways to make their businesses more sustainable and climate ready.
"We look forward to working with industry and academic institutions as we develop more programmes through our Climate Ready Academy."
University of Limerick president Prof Kerstin Mey said: “This is a great example of how we collaborate with industry through Skillnet Ireland and the Climate Ready Academy to deliver a new form of learning which is based on the micro-credential earned through the participation in each individual programme.
"The stackable micro-credentials will enable participants to apply practical skills for climate action within their business and obtain a Level 7 Certificate awarded by our University.”
The launch follows the publication Talent for the Green Economy by Skillnet Ireland in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) earlier this year.
The report found specific skills gaps which are holding back businesses when it comes to developing and implementing sustainability strategies. The new programmes are one of Skillnet Ireland’s new initiatives designed for removing these identified barriers.
Ken Stockil, director of Climate Ready Academy, said: “This new suite of Climate Action Micro credentials will play a critical role in helping organisations transition to a more sustainable future.
"They will benefit individuals in building recognised third level qualifications in areas such as Energy Management, Circularity and broader Sustainability and will benefit businesses by offering them a powerful mechanism to upskill employees and develop tangible actions to tackle climate change within their business.”
Photo: (l-r) Ken Stockil, Prof Kerstin Mey, Senator Roisin Garvey, Paul Healy and Brian Leddin TD. (Pic: Alan Place)
