New upskilling opportunities for Louth employees

A range of new Further Education and Training (FET) micro-qualifications are now being offered through Louth and Meath ETB (LMETB) to support the emerging skills needs of local Irish business.

Delivered by LMETB, FET micro-qualifications offer short, stackable upskilling opportunities to local businesses in the area. FET micro-qualifications are unique as they have been developed in partnership with enterprise, local ETBs and SOLAS, under their Skills to Advance initiative. They offer accredited qualifications at levels 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) to employees at little or no cost to employers.

FET micro-qualifications provide bite-sized, targeted upskilling, designed to equip employees and enterprises with the skills to address key business needs. Programmes are delivered flexibly and are scheduled to fit the operating needs of businesses. FET micro-qualifications typically take 50 hours to complete, including tutor time and self-directed learning. Since 2019, over 90,000 places have been availed of under the Skills to Advance initiative.

A selection of FET micro-qualifications on offer at LMETB in 2025 include Environmental Sustainability in the Workplace QQI Level 5, which is due to commence on 12 March (Kells, Co. Meath/Blended Learning). LMETB Skills to Advance team is also currently taking expressions of interest for learners for Resource Efficiency in the Workplace QQI Level 5 and Circular Economy QQI Level 6. LMETB’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence have a range of courses on offer, including Using Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing’ (URAM), which starts in April 2025. 

To find out more about courses on offer in your local area, please contact skillstoadvance@lmetb.ie. For courses related to Advanced Manufacturing, email amtceskillstoadvance@lmetb.ie to register your interest. For more information on Skills to Advance and FET micro-qualifications, visit www.skillstoadvance.ie.

Commenting on the delivery of courses, Sadie Ward McDermott, Director of Further Education and Training at Louth and Meath ETB said: “Louth and Meath ETB is delighted to support local businesses though our FET micro-qualification offering. FET micro-qualifications are a fantastic opportunity for career development within companies, empowering business owners and employees with the skills needed to create more sustainable, competitive and profitable companies. I would encourage anyone interested in upskilling to contact us at Louth and Meath ETB ETB.”

Mary Lyons, Director of Enterprise, Employees & Skills at SOLAS said: “Employee upskilling is crucial for Irish companies to remain agile and adaptable in the rapidly changing world of work. FET micro-qualifications are designed to provide transformative upskilling, and the flexible, local, and affordable delivery of these targeted, short courses means relevant training has never been more accessible for employers and employees.” 

Upon completing the Using Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing FET micro-qualification at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk, Steven Faulkner, an employee at Becton Dickinson & Company Ltd. said,

“The training was completely based on real-world industrial projects and a practical way of finding solutions. The online classes were interactive and easy to engage with. The AMTCE facility is a modern, cheerful place, combined with friendly and responsive tutors.”