Overview
Course outline
Entry
Career path

Course Overview

This Skills to Advance subsidised QQI micro-credential programme is being delivered for the Advanced Manufacturing and Training Center of Excellence and is designed to meet a growing industry need for learners with competencies and knowledge of operational excellence and business process improvement methodologies, with a specific focus on digitisation strategies.

The programme will provide learners with a foundational knowledge of Operational Excellence – Lean Thinking; Operational Excellence – Six Sigma, in addition to developing vital skills in Digital Communication and Technical Reporting.

Through participation in this programme, learners will gain essential knowledge of the core elements of process digitisation and operational excellence, enabling participants to make a valuable contribution to the implementation of digitalisation strategies within the organisation.

The aim of this programme is to enable participants to explore and appreciate the concepts of business success, quality fundamentals and the principles and tools of lean thinking. It aims to develop the learner’s understanding of the principles of six sigma and its application across a range of sectors. In addition, this programme provides learners with an in-depth understanding of the concept of technical and professional communication and information design/delivery.

Accreditation: QQI Level 6 Certificate in Operational Excellence (25 ECTS)

Next Intake: April 2025

Course Outline

The course duration is 6 months. The programme is delivered in a blended format, with online lectures during the week. Saturday lectures are a blend of classroom and online. (ECTS: 25 Credits)

Module 1: Operational Excellence – Lean thinking

Provides an overview of the fundamentals of organisational success, the concept of value, quality and waste in the business environment. Learners develop their knowledge of the concept and principles of lean thinking, value stream mapping and process mapping. The module introduces the learner to the range of lean tools utilised in waste elimination, such as 5S; SMED; Kanban; Kaizen; error-proofing and level loading. The module also discusses the importance and impact of culture on the lean transformation journey.

Module 2: Operational Excellence – Six Sigma

Introduces the learner to the fundamentals of six-sigma as a method to reduce variation and understand root cause. Understanding the importance and validity of quality data is critical to any improvement strategy, hence the module also covers fundamentals of data integrity, measurement systems analysis, statistics, quality tools, cause and effect, FMEA, solution development and control strategies. The module also introduces the learner to the creative problem-solving tool TRIZ and the importance of blue-sky thinking and transdisciplinary. Finally, the module provides an overview of a typical Corrective Action Preventative Action (CAPA) process, based on the DMAIC methodology, introducing the learners to risk identification and risk assessment.

Module 3: Digital Communication & Technical Reporting

Introduce learners to the discipline of technical communication. Acquiring technical writing skills is essential in workplace contexts where process digitisation is occurring, as it enables personnel to accurately communicate thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing; and create documents such as letters, directions, specifications, manuals, reports, presentations, graphs, flow charts, etc. Preparation of visuals to supplement the text, workplace communication, descriptions of mechanisms, explanations of processes, and writing reports are the major topics included.

Entry Requirements

This course is suitable for those with a minimum qualification at H7/O6 in five Leaving Certificate subjects or equivalent. Proficiency in English Language Required. (B2+ level or equivalent on the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR).

Career Path & Progression

Career

This course was designed with a large range of industries in mind. Graduates can expect to develop their careers across a number of sectors in roles such as:

Manufacturing Operator
Manufacturing Technician
Product Builder
Process Technician
Logistics/Warehouse Operator
Business Improvement Specialist
Supply Chain Support

Progression

Learners may complete additional Innopharma Education QQI Micro-Credential programmes and work towards completing a Level Certificate in Operational Excellence for Digitisation (Minor Award with 60 ECTS) or Level 6 Certificate in Information Technology for Digitisation (Minor Award with 60 ECTS) or Level 6 Higher Certificate in Science in Process Digitisation (120 ECTS).