22/09/2017

28/09/2017

The aim of this programme is to up-skill existing science and agriculture graduates with a view to increasing their employability in the Food and Agriculture sector. The technical skills of these graduates will be enhanced by the acquisition of knowledge in areas such as business, marketing, entrepreneurship, quality management, food production and consumer assurance, and financial management systems. This will enable them to contribute to the cost-effective development and marketing of products in this sector.

Level 6 Major Award in Business, Science, Engineering or Agriculture.

English language level = IELTS 5.5 or equivalent.

Equivalent recognition may be given through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process on an individual case-by-case basis to candidates who have not yet achieved this academic standard but who can demonstrate significant relevant professional experience.

Candidates may be interviewed.

The aim of this programme is to up-skill existing science and agriculture graduates with a view to increasing their employability in the Food and Agriculture sector. The technical skills of these graduates will be enhanced by the acquisition of knowledge in areas such as business, marketing, entrepreneurship, quality management and lean manufacturing. This will enable them to contribute to the cost-effective development and marketing of products in this sector.

Semester 1
* Food industry; Quality management
* Value Added products for the Food Industry
* Marketing for the Agri-business Sector

Semester 2
* Food Processing and Production Management
* Packaging of Food Products
* Agri Food Entrepreneurship and Innovation

12-week Industry Work Placement

Graduates of this programme should be in a position to obtain employment in the Agri-Food sector in supervisory, product development or quality management positions. The programme will also provide skills to entrepreneurs who wish to start a small company or develop a food product and bring it to the marketplace.
The purpose of this award is to provide technical graduates (science or agriculture) with the opportunity to obtain
additional skills which will enable them to contribute to the cost-effective development and marketing of products within
the Food and Agriculture sector.

Furthermore the Institute has a number of specific initiatives available to Springboard students to maximise their job readiness upon graduation:

- Access to a dedicated Springboard Employer Liaison Officer for one-to-one meetings, where career option assessment, mock interviews, CV preparation and cover letter advice are all offered.

- Jobseekers workshops are available to each Springboard class group. These workshops cover career planning, interview preparation and skills, networking, the use of Social Media, CV preparation, cover letter writing to name but a few.

- The DkIT Careers Office website offers free advertisements to prospective employers and these advertisements are automatically transferred to our Facebook and Twitter pages which Springboard students can access from computers available in college as well as their own smartphones.

- Outreach work is on-going to attract prospective employers to the college to hold information lectures and information stands.

- Our dedicated Springboard Employer Liaison Officer can offer specific career advice as is in regular contact through e-mail with Springboard students advertising any upcoming events/vacancies especially relevant to this cohort of students.

Due to the blended learning delivery within this programme students should have access to PC / Mac, a headset with a mic, and a broadband internet connection from home, so as to be able to fully participate in the programme.

DKIT

Blended

Lifelong Learning Centre, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland

+353 (0) 42 9370295

springboard@dkit.ie

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is intended for mature learners who may or may not have had structured formal education but who have learned from their involvement in employment, community activities, home duties, sports etc. This learning is assessed by the Institute and this assessment may lead to academic credits or exemptions from subjects on the intended course of study. The following shall be taken into consideration: 1. Accredited Learning: Learning that the applicant undertaken that has been accredited by a further/higher educational institution. 2. Non- Accredited/ Non-formal Learning: Work-based training and/or education courses that may have been assessed, but not formally accredited. 3.Informal: Informal/ experiential learning (relevant life or work/voluntary experiences). Students shall be assessed by preparation of a portfolio.