Overview
The Certificate in Business and Digital Skills (Level 6, 30 ECTS) will equip learners with practical skills and knowledge in core areas of business. Through the unique combination of modules, learners will explore organisational behaviour (theory and skills applied to a variety of industry settings), acquire digital skills (necessary to a modern business environment) and develop an understanding of the importance of marketing communications in the promotion and future sustainability of a business. Through this programme, learners will acquire work-aligned skills that will prepare them for the challenges posed by the dynamic nature of the modern business environment, enabling them to make an effective contribution to the resolution of business problems. On completion of this programme, learners will possess knowledge in these core areas of business, and acquire key digital and business skills necessary to working successfully in a modern business environment.
Future Jobs Ireland 2019 emphasises the current shift in Ireland’s future workforce and notes that they will, in the coming decades, predominantly require cognitive, social and emotional skills. Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025 echoes this statement, highlighting the “increasingly interdisciplinary nature of the world of work… [which] overlaps in the skills required across different sectors and occupations”. Thus, acquiring the core competencies of numeracy, literacy and digital technologies are becoming ever more crucial across all sectors of industry in Ireland. Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025 further stresses technology as "one of the key drivers of change”, whereby a workforce with business skills will be vital, not only in higher-end professional jobs but, more widely, as a basic core competence. Insofar as we are equipped with these competencies, our workforce will underpin Ireland as a “global differentiator”. Fundamental to this shift will be the widespread availability of high-quality education and training, according to Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025. Future Jobs 2019 echoes this statement.
This current demand not only reflects the vibrancy of the Irish market, but also echoes the Higher Education Authority’s Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018, which states that eighty per cent of recent graduates of colleges in Ireland are currently employed or about to begin employment. To quote Gerard Brady, a senior economist at the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC): “Firms are competing for the best graduates … they are crying out for skilled … graduates…soft skills are rising in importance: they want people who can show communication and leadership skills.” Encouragingly, research among other industry stakeholders has indicated the importance of a range of both hard and soft skills. Nine out of twelve respondents specifically emphasised a proficient understanding of core IT skills as essential to any business graduate. Excel and PowerPoint were noted as of particular importance. As stressed by a Senior Media Rights Manager at CAA Eleven Sports Marketing, “any graduate nowadays must be efficient in Excel and PPT, especially Excel… the level of IT knowledge demanded is very high.” Furthermore, a Senior Product Consultant at Aon recommends “a good solid understanding of all elements of Microsoft Office”. Digital communication tools are also stressed by an International Sales Manager at Infront Sports, mentions that any potential graduate would have to “be aware of how to use all IT communications packages, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc…”. A core understanding of business administration was further highlighted as fundamental to business graduates. According to the Head of Risk and Compliance at Facebook Payments International, “a business degree is important to get that all-roundedness in terms of business knowledge”. And according to the Senior Product Consultant at Aon, “a good basic knowledge across all business subjects is important”, while another recommends “a wide business foundation”. Next to the rudiments of business administration and sold IT competency, all of the industry professionals outlined a “proficiency in softs skills' ' as vital to the business graduate. This included adaptability, holistic thinking, ability to optimise processes, emotional intelligence, listening skills, communication skills, teamwork, time management skills, ability to prioritise. As an Executive Assistant to the CEO, Web3 Foundation, stated “…we would be more likely to hire for ‘cultural’ fit, i.e., a fresh graduate with motivation and curiosity.”
Delivery
All classes will be delivered online.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible to apply for a place on this programme, applicants must hold a full Level 5 NFQ aware or equivalent in any discipline.
Mature students over the age 23, on the year of admission to the programme are also eligible to apply and will be assessed on the basis of age, work experience and previous learning.
For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, PTE, Duolingo or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Applicants who do not have a Level 6 qualification may also be considered through the college’s normal RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience may be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.
*Eligibility and entry requirements apply.