Under Theme II – or Innovation Projects – the Higher Education 4.0 Project works with industry to identify, develop and delivery courses that fit the needs of their employees.

These courses range from free non-accredited online courses to special purpose awards through to full work-based learning degrees that involve lengthy student placements. The aim is to help industry with upskilling, reskilling, retention and progression for their employees.

As part of the Higher Education 4.0 Project, we are also developing a model for project-based learning for ATU. The first two years of a project-based learning course will see high level learning outcomes delivered via project-based learning, with the low-level learning outcomes delivered via self-directed learning.

This will be followed by two years of work-based learning which will feature a combination of study and on-the-job training culminating in a final year project.

By combining innovative teaching methods, with industry and research partnerships, to develop new approaches to learning, the innovation projects involve the development of a range of new courses and course delivery methods.

These provide enhanced levels of access to third-level education for students and provide rapid course delivery methods for employers aiming to upskill their workforce.