Kildare people encouraged to apply for free and heavily subsidised higher education courses

Kildare-based Abhishek Tiwari, Head Chef at the Osprey Hotel in Kildare and a Springboard+ graduate, encourages others to consider applying for a free or heavily subsidised higher education course through Springboard+ 2025, which is currently open for applications.

Springboard+ has made over 3,200 places available on 87 courses in the Dublin-Kildare region, through a combination of hybrid and fully online learning. The courses cover areas including entrepreneurship, engineering, manufacturing and construction, health and welfare.

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Abishek was awarded a Higher Diploma in Food Science and Technology from Innopharma in 2024.

He said: “My main purpose for studying is to keep up to speed with changes and developments in the food industry and bring the learnings back to the professional hotel kitchen. The food industry changes constantly and in such a fast-paced sector it’s important to stay relevant.

“My employer allows me to plan my shifts around study and the freedom and flexibility to work and study how I want means I can spend time with family as well.”

The courses cover a range of areas including entrepreneurship, engineering, manufacturing and construction, health and welfare, and more.

Nationwide, Springboard+ has made almost 8,000 free and subsidised places on 249 higher education courses available for participants wishing to upskill or reskill in areas such as digital and green skills and other areas where job opportunities are growing in Ireland.

All courses will commence between July 1 and October 31 2025.

Applications are open at www.springboardcourses.ie.