The Higher Certificate in Engineering in Automation and Robotics is a two-year industry-led award designed to upskill employees in the manufacturing sector. This is an innovative programme that has been designed in close consultation with manufacturing industries in the western region who have identified a requirement to up-skill their employees. The graduate profile will be in automation and robotics applied to advanced manufacturing with skills in HMI configuration and networking. This programme is a first step to addressing the emergent Industry 4.0 requirements of manufacturing companies. Graduates of this programme will have the skills and knowledge to design and maintain automated manufacturing processes, and integrate in-house and vendor automation solutions. What to Expect The Higher Certificate course is designed to provide a mix of on-campus engineering and technology skills development and on-the-job, work-based learning for company employees. Each year is run over three semesters. Each semester is 13 weeks duration, followed by an exam week. Semester 1 (SepDec) and Semester 2 (JanMay) includes synchronous online delivery on Tuesdays and Thursdays (16.0019:00) and Fridays in GMIT Galway campus (09.0017.30). Semester 3 is the Industry Module which takes place from May to August. This consists of custom industry training and the Industry Project / Work Placement. During Semester 3, students attend two weeks of hands-on instruction by automation technology vendors in a dedicated Automation Training Centre. Employee/Employer Commitment Students will undertake 60 credits per year, which is a full-time academic load. Their employer should commit to reduce their professional workload by a minimum of 12 hr/ week during the academic year to accommodate study time and a minimum of 4 hr for the rest of the year to work on their project. Employers should also allocate a mentor and some technical support to the student for the Industry module. Programme StructureThe programme is designed with ?exible entry and exit points:Students can obtain a Level 6 Higher Certi?cate after two yearsStudents can obtain a Level 7 degree after three yearsIt is planned to develop a Level 8 Honours degree, subject to demand
| College | Atlantic Technological University (ATU Galway) |
| Course ID | 192857 |
| Course Location | Galway City, Galway |
| Course Type | Blended Learning - Mix of Classroom & Online |
| Course Qualification | Higher Certificate |
| Course Start Date | 1st January 1970 |
| Course Duration | 2 years |
| Course Time | Part-time |
| Course Fee | 12000 |
| Entry Requirements | Applications are made online directly to the Institute. The main cohort of students will come from local manufacturing industries. They will attend the course while maintaining their full-time employment. The students from industry may start in Year 1, or they may avail of advanced entry depending on their background and qualifications. It is expected that students with a cognate QQI HETAC Level 6 (e.g. Technicians) may avail of advanced entry into Year 2 by successfully completing the 2 weeks of Industry training that is part of the Industry Module in Semester 3 of Year 1. Applicants with a cognate QQI FETAC LEVEL 6 (e.g. Electricians) may avail of advanced entry into Year 2 by successfully completing the 2 weeks of Industry training that is part of the Industry Module in Semester 3 of Year 1, plus a bridging module 'Applied Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths' to aid their transition back to education. Applicants who gain advanced access to the programme will likely have to attend all the industry training elements (2 weeks per year) of the Industry Modules on the programme for the years where they are getting an exemption. For applicants presenting Leaving Certificate qualifications, the minimum requirements are: Grade O6/H7 or better in five Leaving Certificate subjects including English or Irish and Mathematics and a minimum of 160 Points. Applicants may present the Foundation Certificate or pass in any QQI FETAC Level 5/6 award. This programme is not offered through the CAO. Mature Applicants: Applications from mature applicants (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year) are welcomed by GMIT. These applicants do not have to meet the Leaving Certificate entry requirements and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of ability and competence to undertake the programme). They may be invited for interview. This will be used to rank applicants where demand exceeds the available places on a programme. Recognition of Prior Learning: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be used as a means to gain entry to the programme, or gain exemptions in accordance with Code of Practice No. 6 (Policy and Procedures for the Recognition of Prior Learning). Prior learning can be certified or experiential, and will be assessed in accordance with the code and engagement with the RPL assessment tool at www.myexperience.ie |
| Career Path | This programme is suitable for professionals working in the manufacturing industry wishing to obtain a qualification in Automation and Robotics. Holders of a level 6 Craft Certificate working as automation technicians can benefit from advanced entry in Year 2 of the programme. |
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