Overview
Course outline
Entry
Career path
How to apply

Course Overview

The Certificate in Sustainable Manufacturing is designed for learners who are seeking to develop specialist knowledge and practical competencies in sustainable manufacturing, operational excellence, digital transformation and supply chain optimisation within industrial environments.

The programme is particularly suited to individuals currently employed in, or seeking to progress within, manufacturing and process-based industries including pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device, food, engineering, logistics and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Delivered part-time in a blended format, it is accessible to learners nationwide. The programme aligns with Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy 2020-2025, the National Climate Action Plan, and the Digital Ireland Framework, ensuring strong policy and industry relevance.

ACCREDITATION: QQI Level 7 Certificate in Sustainable Manufacturing (Subject to validation)

FUNDING: This course is funded by the Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy 2026 programme and fees are subsidised at 80% for all eligible learner categories.

DURATION AND HOURS: This part-time programme runs over one semester, with lectures delivered online for a maximum of two evenings per week, alongside occasional Saturday sessions delivered through a blend of online and in-class learning.

WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR:

The programme is intended to support both upskilling and reskilling opportunities for: 

manufacturing and production personnel;

operations and process improvement professionals;

quality and compliance staff;

engineering and technical personnel;

supply chain and logistics professionals;

sustainability and ESG personnel;

supervisors and team leaders;

graduates seeking to enhance employability within sustainable and digitally enabled manufacturing environments.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The programme is designed for learners who require flexible access to education while balancing professional and personal commitments. As such, the programme adopts a blended delivery model incorporating live online lectures, asynchronous learning resources and scheduled face-to-face engagement.  

The profile of the target learner group will include: 

Learners currently employed in manufacturing, operations, quality, engineering, supply chain or related industrial sectors who seek to develop specialist knowledge in sustainable manufacturing, digital transformation and operational excellence (upskilling).

Job seekers with relevant industry experience who do not hold a formal Level 6 qualification but can demonstrate equivalent competence through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, and who seek to formalise and extend their knowledge in sustainable and digitally enabled manufacturing (RPL entry).

This course is funded by the Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy 2026 programme and fees are subsidised at 80% for all eligible learner categories. This is NOT a Springboard+ funded course.

Three integrated modules develop a labour market relevant skills profile:

1. The Future of Manufacturing and the Supply Chain

2. Progressing Towards a Sustainable Industry

3. Operational Excellence in a Digital Environment

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the programme are to:

Develop an understanding of the key concepts, drivers and emerging trends influencing sustainable manufacturing, supply chains and industrial transformation.
Examine the impact of digitalisation, Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies and innovation on manufacturing operations, operational excellence and supply chain management.
Evaluate sustainability challenges and opportunities within manufacturing environments, including environmental, ethical, social and operational considerations.
Apply operational excellence methodologies and tools, including Lean Thinking, Six Sigma, value stream mapping and CAPA principles, to identify and support process improvement opportunities.
Analyse manufacturing and supply chain processes to identify inefficiencies, waste, sustainability risks and opportunities for optimisation.
Support national workforce development priorities and lifelong learning objectives through the provision of a flexible, stackable micro-credential aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications.
Develop awareness of current and emerging regulatory obligations relevant to sustainable manufacturing, including the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities and Irish climate and environmental policy, and their implications for manufacturing operations and organisational decision-making.

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Entry Requirements

Applicants should hold:

A minimum of 120 ECTS at level 6 on the NFQ in science, computing, engineering or cognate discipline or equivalent with consideration of RPL.

Equivalent qualifications and/or relevant professional experience through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Career Opportunities

Potential career opportunities following the successful completion of this course include:

Production Planner
Supply Chain Coordinator/Analyst
Procurement Officer
Purchasing Assistant
Operations Coordinator/Analyst
Process Improvement Coordinator
Continuous Improvement Officer
Lean Manufacturing Coordinator
Operational Excellence Coordinator
Sustainability Coordinator
Environmental Sustainability Officer
Manufacturing Analyst
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Quality Systems Coordinator
Compliance Coordinator
Document Control Specialist
Data Analyst
Project Coordinator
Digital Transformation Assistant

DISCOVER FULL CREDIT COURSES

Level 7 – BSc in Process Technologies

Apply Now

Our admissions team are on hand to assist you with your application and answer any questions you may have on the course.

Students who wish to apply to this course should follow the following application process.

Step 1: Enquire through the form at the top right of this page

Step 2: A member of our team will be in contact through phone or email

Step 3: If you are deemed to be eligible for the course, you will be sent an application form by email. You MUST fill in this application form and attach all necessary *documents (CV, ID, Transcripts, etc.)

Step 4: On submission of the completed application form and all documentation, your application will be sent to the associated department for final approval. You will receive an e-mail confirming your place on the programme. (Note: This process can take up to one week particularly during busy admission periods.)

*We accept scanned documents in a pdf format. Pictures of documents are not accepted.

**For those who are applying for Springboard funding, you will be directed to fill out an additional application form on the Springboard website, this is to confirm your eligibility to receive funding

Please note at any time if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us by email on admissions@innopharmalabs.com or call us (01) 485 334