Creating higher education pathways for Defence Force personnel
A collaboration built on innovation
SETU collaborates with the Defence Forces to provide educational programmes that address individual skills development and organisational human resources needs. The accredited, bespoke programmes provided through this initiative offer enlisted personnel access to higher education, giving individuals opportunities to participate that they would not otherwise have.
This project is one in which educational innovation, public service transformation, and national security priorities come together.
Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU
The partnership began in 2004, when SETU offered a BEng in Electronic Engineering to Defence Forces personnel working in communications and information services.
In 2010/11, the Leadership Management and Defence Studies (LMDS) suite of programmes was co-developed with SETU and the Defence Forces. This provided for enlisted personnel to have their career learning recognised as RPL (Recognised Prior Learning). The credits built up through the programme ensure that personnel gain qualifications that enhance their careers within the military and provide them with recognised qualifications to support their future career development on leaving the Defence Forces.
While third level education programmes for Commissioned Officers is common internationally, Ireland is one of the few countries to offer higher education programmes to enlisted Defence Forces personnel.
We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved to date, and of the tangible impact the LMDS programmes are having on individuals, their families, and the wider Defence Forces. This collaboration demonstrates the meaningful role a university can play in working with organisations to deliver tailored learning and development, support lifelong learning, and drive innovation in public service
Programme Manager 'Education Pathways' project, Anne Meaney, and Head of Extended Campus, SETU
Since the LMDS programme commenced, over 2,000 members of the Defence Forces have graduated, with more than half achieving Higher Certificate. Participation has been strong, with an 88 percent uptake among eligible learners, showing a great appetite for access to learning. There is also clear evidence of graduates progressing to more advanced programmes.
The LMDS suite provided, for many of the Defence Forces personnel, their first opportunity to engage in formal higher education. This collaboration has been particularly impactful for many mature and first generation learners, positively impacting not only individuals but also their families and wider communities.
The fact that I left school at fifteen and never had the opportunity to complete my Leaving Cert was not a barrier to successfully achieving my Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies Programme. [...] Having completed the RPL programme has given me the option to continue serving society in my retirement.
Retired Regimental Sergeant Major, Irish Defence Forces
This partnership has mutually benefitted SETU and the Defence Forces, increasing the ability to attract and retain staff, to upskill and enhance the overall education profile of the organisation.
SETU's work with the Defence Forces is recognised by the Department of Education and Skills as a model for engagement between HEIs and the wider public sector, given the national policy objective for the provision of staff upskilling of Public Service employees.
In developing the programmes, both partners navigated the differences between academic and military requirements, systems and language. As the partnership has matured these difference have been resolved through dialogue and training, strengthening the collaboration further.
