Europe’s First Accredited LVIA Micro-Credential launched by Green Tech Skillnet and University of Limerick

Europe’s First Accredited LVIA Micro-Credential launched by Green Tech Skillnet and University of Limerick

Green Tech Skillnet and University of Limerick Launch Europe’s First Accredited LVIA Micro-Credential, a new industry-led programme that addresses critical skills gap in planning and renewable energy delivery

Green Tech Skillnet, in collaboration with University of Limerick (UL), has today launched an accredited micro-credential programme in Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), designed to address a significant skills gap across Ireland’s planning, environmental and renewable energy sectors. The launch was attended by Minister Timmy Dooley, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment who endorsed the programme and its role in supporting Ireland’s sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy ambitions.

The seven-week, part-time, online programme, commencing in March 2026, is the first of its kind in Europe. Developed through close collaboration with industry experts and the Irish Landscape Institute, the course equips professionals with the practical skills needed to deliver consistent, high-quality LVIA for infrastructure and renewable energy projects, particularly wind energy. This programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

Commenting on the importance of the new programme, Mark Ruane, Head of Renewable Energy Skills at Wind Energy Ireland, said: “This programme is about building real, practical workforce capacity where industry needs it most. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment is a critical component of planning applications, yet until now there has been no formal, consistent training pathway in Ireland. By equipping professionals with shared standards, applied skills and up-to-date tools, this micro-credential will help companies strengthen their in-house expertise, improve the quality and consistency of LVIA submissions, and ultimately support a more efficient and timely planning process for essential infrastructure and renewable energy projects.”

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The programme responds directly to industry challenges arising from the absence of national LVIA guidance in Ireland, where differing county-level approaches can lead to inconsistency, delays and added complexity in planning and environmental assessment.

Industry practitioners have strongly welcomed the programme, highlighting the long-standing absence of formal LVIA training pathways.

Mike Spence, Principal at MsEnvision, said: “LVIA is recognised across the world as an important environmental impact assessment technique, used to understand the landscape, townscape and visual impacts and effects of development projects. There is currently no training available, anywhere! Most practitioners develop their knowledge within companies, learning from their mentors, and this leads to inconsistencies in both quality and approach. The LVIA micro-credential at University of Limerick is an opportunity to begin the process of introducing and sharing LVIA knowledge, led by practitioners who have been working in the sector for over 30 years.”

Dave Flynn, Director of Business Networks, Skillnet Ireland, added: “Skillnet Ireland supports the Government’s climate action policy by building the sustainability capabilities that help businesses adapt to the green transition while remaining competitive. This new industry‑led micro‑credential programme addresses a critical skills gap, bringing greater consistency and quality to environmental assessment and helping to accelerate the delivery of renewable energy and essential infrastructure.”
According to UL’s Professor Sandra Joyce, Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: “This module responds directly to a national need: as Ireland expands its renewable energy infrastructure, we must ensure consistent, rigorous and future-focused approaches to assessing the landscape and visual impacts of development. The LVIA micro-credential equips professionals with vital skills, blending theory, fieldwork, digital spatial analysis and applied reporting to build competence in one of the most complex and specialised areas of environmental assessment”

Participants on the programme will gain hands-on experience applying GLVIA guidelines, using GIS and remote sensing tools, assessing landscape and visual receptors, and developing mitigation strategies through real-world case studies and applied project work.

The LVIA micro-credential is aimed at professionals working in planning, environmental consultancy, sustainability, policy and infrastructure development, and forms part of UL’s Master in Sustainability and Climate Futures pathway.

By co-creating this programme with industry, GreenTech Skillnet and University of Limerick are strengthening Ireland’s environmental assessment capability at a time of unprecedented infrastructure delivery, supporting climate action objectives while maintaining high standards of landscape protection and public confidence in the planning system.

Applications close: Friday, 13 February 2026.

About Green Tech Skillnet

Green Tech Skillnet is an enterprise-led network facilitating the workforce and development needs of the Irish renewable energy industry. The network is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland and network companies.

Green Tech Skillnet is promoted by Wind Energy Ireland, the representative body for the Irish wind industry, working to promote wind energy as an essential, economical and environmentally friendly part of the country’s low-carbon energy future.

Since 2021, the network has successfully engaged 3,136 trainees over 11,800 training days.