NCI Blog

A believer of continuous learning and growth, Flaviu Vanca has accumulated a diverse set of skills throughout his career that transcend any specific industry. In pursuit of expanding his knowledge and abilities, Flaviu came across the Springboard+ initiative, which offers courses co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union with the aim of filling skills shortages in the workforce. At National College of Ireland, we deliver Springboard+ courses in computing covering Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Software Development and Web Development.

If changing careers and starting a new path has been on your mind for some time now, why not consider a career change into technology? It’s challenging, exciting and in Ireland, you will be given significant opportunities to really make an impact in the industry.

COVID-19 had a major impact on businesses worldwide, with employees facing several challenges as a result. Adapting to a hybrid working model, uncertainty around job security and an unsettled jobs market resulted in many employees staying in their existing roles throughout the pandemic as it was considered the safer option.

Maurice Murphy took the time to research education programmes that would allow him to pivot to a career in the tech space. After discovering the range of Springboard+ courses at National College of Ireland, the artificial intelligence and machine learning specialisation stood out to him as the course information available to him showed that it would be an ideal way to gain the skills needed to make the transition to a career in technology, marking the start of his educational journey at NCI.

Navigating a career crossroads can be tricky for several reasons. You might ask yourself “how can I progress further in my current role? What industry do I want to work in? Do I have the right skills to switch roles? Can I afford to return to education if required?”. If you have asked yourself any of these questions, then a Springboard+ programme may be a suitable solution for you!

Dawn Perrott moved into a career in the technology space by completing a conversion course in Web Development through Springboard+ at National College of Ireland. She shares her details of experience on the course, insights into her career and education background, why she decided to study a Springboard+ course as well as some key advice for anyone considering following in her footsteps below.

Marius Petraitis set himself a goal of becoming a tech startup founder, but always wanted to expand his knowledge and skills before doing so. His first step was to join an undergraduate degree that included both business and technology subjects. After gaining a postgraduate qualification in the e-commerce space, the Springboard+ initiative gave him the opportunity to build on his existing skills in specialised areas such as Data Analytics and Cybersecurity.

If you have been considering a career change but feel uncertain about what the future holds, Cian's story of completing a Springboard+ course in data analytics at National College of Ireland may inspire you to take action. Before discovering his passion for data analytics, Cian had a diverse career path in the finance and entertainment industries. However, he always had a knack for logic and numbers, which ultimately led him to explore the field of data analytics.

Whether you are a recent graduate looking for your first permanent position, or a skilled worker seeking a new and exciting challenge, entering the jobs market can be a scary prospect. No matter your level of experience or area of expertise, you will be entering a fiercely competitive market full of skilled workers. Therefore, it is crucial that you stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression on the hiring managers.

As you’ve surely heard by now, Artificial Intelligence is a big deal. Whether it’s in healthcare, where AI is being used to diagnose cancer risks 30 times faster and with 99% more accuracy than a human doctor, or in business, where companies are providing 24/7 customer service through the use of intelligent chatbots on their website, artificial intelligence is disrupting all industries and changing how we see the world.