Skill Sprints
Expert-led, focused courses for immediate impact.
Skill Sprints accelerate your professional development with up‑to‑date skills you can apply immediately - delivered live online in a format that fits your schedule. Each Sprint targets one in‑demand capability and turns learning into impact in just three weeks.
What is a Skill Sprint?
Skill Sprints are short, focused courses designed to help professionals quickly develop capabilities they can apply immediately in their work. Each Sprint is led live online by an Subject Matter Expert and combines interactive teaching, practical exercises, and reflection to ensure learning translates into real results.
In just a few weeks, you gain more than just knowledge - you build confidence, strengthen professional performance, and earn a digital badge to showcase your achievement.
Skill Sprints are carefully structured to balance intensity with flexibility. They are designed for professionals who want to:
- Develop specific, high-value skills in a short timeframe.
- Apply new tools and techniques immediately in their role.
- Demonstrate professional growth through digital recognition.
Skill Sprint Levels
Skill Sprints are offered at up to three levels, depending on the course. While we suggest beginning at Level 1, feel free to choose the level that aligns with your existing expertise.
Level 1
Professionals who are new to a topic and need structured guidance.
Level 2
Those who have some experience and want to deepen or expand their skill set.
Level 3
More experienced individuals who want to polish, apply, and share specialist skills.
Live Online
6 hours total
Shareable digital badge
Learner Confidence went from 25% to
after completing a Skill Sprint
*Based on surveys taken before and after Skill Sprint completion
Course Categories
Why choose a Skill Sprint?
Focused learning Every Sprint is centred on a single, high-demand skill. This means each session has a clear purpose, with tools and techniques designed for immediate application.
Expert-led, interactive teaching Sessions are delivered live online by subject matter experts who bring real-world experience into the virtual classroom, creating space for discussion, questions, and collaboration.
Practical application Learning is embedded through pre-work, short assignments, and post-course reflection - ensuring new skills transfer into day-to-day work.
Recognised outcomes On completion, participants receive a shareable digital badge and certificate, making new expertise visible to colleagues and employers.
Proven results Participants report a marked increase in confidence, with cohorts showing growth from 25% to 84% after completing a Skill Sprint.
“I found the format was really good, easy to integrate into my work routine. I chose the Change Management & AI course, and the biggest impact for me was the personal development it offered in expanding my knowledge base. It was easy to integrate into my work routine.“
- Valerie Seymour
National Maternity Hospital
Skill Sprints. The fastest way to upskill!
How It Works
Join live, interactive, online classes
Engage in pre‐ and post‐learning evaluations
Earn and share your Skill Sprint credential
Featured Skill Sprints
Take part in live, expert-led sessions, supported by group discussion and practical exercises.
Boosting Productivity with AI
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Learn how to streamline everyday tasks with AI tools, freeing time for high-value work.
Generative AI
Level 1 | Level 2
As a newer technology, there is an opportunity to grow with it, define current best use practices for your organisation, and consider opportunities for future use.
FAQs
Who are Skill Sprints for?
Busy professionals who want to build a specific, career‑focused skill quickly and apply it straight away. Sprints are live, expert‑led, and designed to fit around work.
How long is a Skill Sprint?
Three live online sessions — just two hours per week over three weeks (≈6 hours total).
Who leads the sessions?
Subject Matter Experts with current, hands-on experience; sessions are live and interactive.
How are these assessed?
Each Sprint is assessed through a short pre-learning evaluation, quizzes after each unit, and a post-learning evaluation. To earn your digital badge, complete all assessments within two weeks of your final live session.
Do I receive a certificate?
On successful completion you receive a UCD Professional Academy Skill Sprint digital badge by email, which you can share with your employer and on social media (e.g., LinkedIn).
Coaching Sprint
Level 1 | Level 2
Build core coaching skills for managers in 6 practical hours
Feedback That Matters
Level 1 | Level 2
Learn how to give constructive, psychologically safe feedback at work
Feedback That Matters
Level 1 | Level 2
Learn how to give constructive, psychologically safe feedback at work
Category 1
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Cross-Cultural Communication
Level 1 | Level 2
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Category 2
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Cross-Cultural Communication
Level 1 | Level 2
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Category 3
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Cross-Cultural Communication
Level 1 | Level 2
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Category 4
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Cross-Cultural Communication
Level 1 | Level 2
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Category 5
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Cross-Cultural Communication
Level 1 | Level 2
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3
Critical Conversations
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3