Focus
- Education and training
- Employment and job creation
- Immigration, refugee and asylum seeker supports
- Services for people with disabilities
- Services for Travellers and ethnic minorities
- Unemployment
- Young people / youth work
Interest
- Development of education and training materials and programmes
- European learning networks and exchanges
- Community outreach and engagement
- Policy, advocacy and campaigns
- Technological innovation
EU Project Experience
Some experience
The Pathways For Employ assessment and accreditation platform is based on the DIGCOMP framework and evaluates the key elements of the digital competence that are required in the competence profiles selected. Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
The Youth Employ project developed a structured Internship Programme to aid the professionalisation of skilled and unemployed young people with the aim of securing employment, whilst reducing the administration and organisational burden on the employer. Funded by Erasmus+. Read more.
GreenShift October 2025 – September 2029
GreenShift is a pioneering European Master’s Programme that harnesses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) to accelerate green digital innovation in the transport sector. Designed to equip professionals, startups, SMEs, and public authorities with advanced skills, the programme focuses on fast-tracking the development of sustainable products, services, and mobility solutions that support Europe’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050. Delivered as a flexible 9–12 month Master’s (60 ECTS) alongside micro-credentials, VET courses, and innovation-focused activities such as bootcamps and hackathons, GreenShift bridges academia, research, and industry to create job-ready graduates and innovation leaders. By fostering collaboration, capacity building, and cutting-edge training, it empowers Europe’s transport ecosystem to decarbonise faster and remain globally competitive. Funded by Digital 2024 Advanced Digital 07 Key capacity.
EU Funding Goals
Year 2: By the end of year 2 we aim to have created and trained our EU team, submitted ≥10 proposals as partners, and be actively involved in ≥4 EU projects. We would also like to have developed strong partnerships with a core group of ≥5 European organisations. The main focus in the first 2 years will be to identify and scale at least 2 successful Irish initiatives in other EU countries.
Year 5: By the end of Year 5 we would like to have an active portfolio of ≥10 EU projects with FIT leading ≥2 as Coordinators. Our core partner list would have grown to 20 key partners with a database of over 150 additional partner organisations we have worked with in various proposals / projects. Again the focus would be on scaling both existing and new Irish initiatives at EU level such as the AI & Green Skills Apprenticeships.
Year 10: By year 10 we would like to be recognised as European leaders in VET based programmes focused on the inclusion of various vulnerable groups into quality employment in technical roles, both for Digital and Green jobs. We aim to have grown the project portfolio to ≥25 active projects and further expanded our partner list exponentially. We will have actively co-created programmes with EU partners that we are now implementing in Ireland.
Strenghts
- FIT has over 25 years’ experience in the development and delivery of ICT skills and training programs and the recognition and respect of key partners and Industry leaders.
- FIT is a leader in collaborating with government departments, national education and training agencies and local development organisations. Our primary partners in education and training include SOLAS, ETBs (Education and Training Boards), ETBI, The Apprenticeship Council, QQI, Third Level Institutions, ICS and Leargas.
- FIT is industry led and through our partnerships with employers across sectors we can identify their emerging skills needs and turn this knowledge into practical solutions creating employment and upskilling opportunities for everyone.
- FIT works with over 270 employers from SME’s to Multinationals and through industry support we are creating opportunity for wider participation in the tech sector.
- FIT is the National Co-ordinating provider of ICT Tech Apprenticeships in the following areas – Computer Networking, Software Development, Cybersecurity and soon to launch, Data Analytics. FIT’s apprenticeship ecosystem has grown rapidly, with 950+ active apprentices and healthy post-programme retention rates.
- FIT is uniquely positioned by its proven apprenticeship development methodology, deep employer networks, and track record of scaling high-quality digital training into sustainable pipelines of talent.
- FIT is made up of key pillars and through them we promote Diversity, Equality and Inclusion through tech skills training initiatives for job seekers and young people with over 250,000 participants to complete digital skills programmes, with 180,000 progressing into quality employment across the tech sector.
- FIT’s promotes digital inclusion for socio-economic well-being and cohesion through community integration and engagement through employment and provides further employment opportunities to support a more sustainable future through circular economy repair skills training. The organisation places a strong emphasis on inclusion and gender diversity, with initiatives such as I-FIT Female Tech Apprenticeships and Women Choose Tech, which actively promote the participation of women in digital careers. FIT also develops targeted programmes for underrepresented groups, including training and employment hubs for migrants and Ukrainians, highlighting its capacity to deliver inclusive VET solutions at scale.
