Skillnet Ireland in partnership with the University of Limerick (UL) are launching the first enterprise-led micro-credential programmes dedicated to climate action in Ireland.
The stackable micro-credentials developed by Skillnet Ireland’s Climate Ready Academy will enable participants to develop a tailored sustainable charter for their organisation, across the areas of energy, transport, sustainability, waste and circularity, and achieve a Level 7 Certificate in Energy Management Practice and Waste or Certificate in Circular Economy Management in Practice with University of Limerick.
Ireland’s first micro-credential programmes for climate action
Micro-credentials are small, accredited courses designed to meet the demands of learners, enterprise and organisations.
The programmes launched today are the ‘Energy Leaders’ and the ‘Waste and Circular Economy Leaders’ programmes which are designed to incentivise and support employees in developing practical environmental improvements for their businesses.
Discussing the programmes at the launch, Paul Healy, Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland, said: “The climate action leadership programmes launched today play a pivotal role in developing the talent needed by industry and in meeting the targets of the Government’s Climate Action Plan.
“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,” added Healy.
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.”
Earlier this year, Skillnet Ireland published research on ‘Talent for the Green Economy’ in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The report found specific skills gaps in the 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.”
Commenting at the launch, Senator Róisín Garvey said: “I am delighted to be here at the launch of the new Climate Ready Leaders Programmes with Skillnet Ireland and UL. What we need now is clear green action and I believe that this programme has a huge part to play in leading companies to taking the action that we need now.”
About Skillnet Ireland
Skillnet Ireland is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. Skillnet Ireland partners with 57 industry bodies, supporting over 22,500 businesses and 86,500 trainees annually, through its 72 Skillnet Business Networks across most sectors and all regions in Ireland. Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
To learn more about Skillnet Ireland, please visit www.skillnetireland.ie
Skillnet Business Network search tool: https://www.skillnetireland.ie/our-networks/
Facebook: @SkillnetIreland
Twitter: @SkillnetIreland
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/skillnetireland
About Climate Ready Initiative
Climate Ready was launched in 2021 as a five-year national climate upskilling initiative delivered in partnership with industry to equip businesses with the skills they need to respond to climate change. Skillnet Ireland, together with the private sector, will have invest over €10 million in the Climate Ready initiative from 2021-2025.
Climate Ready was developed to support the Government’s Climate Action Plan and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill. The Climate Ready Academy offers Irish businesses the practical skills and insights they need to respond to climate change and to manage the challenges and opportunities transitioning to a low-carbon economy presents.
The Climate Ready Academy provides practical and specialised supports for business leaders and their teams in the areas of climate action and sustainability, through a blended approach of workshops and classes, online courses, mentoring, and interactive webinars. It offers a suite of practical and specialised learning supports for businesses in the areas of climate action and sustainability.
To learn more about the Climate Ready Academy, please visit www.climatereadyacademy.ie
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