How clear and flexible learning is reshaping Irish education

Opening new education pathways

Traditionally, the Irish further and higher education landscape was seen as fragmented and opaque. But since the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) was established in 2020, we’ve seen significant, positive change.

There’s now greater focus on creating alternative routes for school-leavers. In the past, the Leaving Certificate and Central Applications Office (CAO) process was seen as the only viable path. Today, students are increasingly aware of the wide variety of other options open to them.

Sharpening the focus on apprenticeship programmes

One such option is apprenticeships. These offer hands-on, earn-while-you-learn training, and they’ve become far more inclusive. Historically, apprenticeship programmes had a male bias, but that’s changing. There’s also now a broader range of courses available.

Joint Tertiary Programmes are another key innovation, helping to “join the dots” between further and higher education. These enable students to begin third-level study with an Education and Training Board (ETB) and later transition to a university or technological university.

Flexible learning for future workplace readiness

These developments are essential in a world where technology is transforming how we work. Employers are placing more value on skills than on traditional credentials, and this means academic institutions must offer lifelong learning in flexible, accessible formats for people of all ages. Going forward, education must continue its shift toward skills-based models to ensure workplace readiness.

AI, in particular, is reshaping the world of work. To thrive in this environment, employees need to be adaptable and committed to continuous learning. They also need support from their employers when they pursue modular, blended, or micro-credential programmes.

Collaboration between government, education providers and industry

For learning initiatives to be delivered effectively, collaboration between government, education providers and industry is vital. One strong example is SOLAS’s Skills to Advance programme, which works with Regional Skills managers and Education and Training Boards to help businesses identify skills gaps. It also delivers fully funded, flexible training programmes to upskill and reskill workforces.

Inclusive, accessible learning approaches

We must also ensure that new pathways support diverse learners, including adult returners, under-represented groups, and people with special educational needs. Further and higher education providers need to challenge themselves to be fully accessible in how they deliver content, structure courses and create learning environments. If not, we risk widening existing inequalities.

At Grant Thornton, we’ve been deeply involved in supporting educational transformation in Ireland. We’ve worked with Education and Training Boards and universities to help design and implement new learning pathways. Increasing opportunity, flexibility and inclusion for learners is central to our mission. The sector has come a long way, but there is still more to do.