Dundalk Chamber Skillnet has teamed up with the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) Regional Development Centre to develop an exciting new part time leadership programme designed to culminate in a Masters Degree qualification.
In a development which will be welcomed by local industry, participants will enrol in a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Management with the option to progress to a full Masters Degree in Management & Leadership.
Through this programme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, participants will be introduced to leading management theories and effective international best practices in core management areas. They will learn how to apply these best practices in their own workplace and use their specialist management and leadership skills in complex business situations. Additionally, they will be able to offer practical recommendations for improvement and implement innovative initiatives within their own organisations to add value and make a difference
Completion of Year 1 will lead to a Postgraduate Certificate in Management requiring 3 hours attendance per week on campus plus engagement in a one-hour weekly online tutorial over the academic year.
Completion of Year 2 will lead to a Postgraduate Diploma in Management & Leadership requiring 3 hours attendance per week on campus plus engagement in a one-hour weekly online tutorial over the academic year.
Completion of Year 3 will lead to an MSC in Management & Leadership requiring 2 hours attendance per week on campus plus one-to-one supervision hours over the academic year.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, Erin McGreehan, TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, stated: “This partnership between Dundalk Chamber Skillnet and DkIT is the perfect example of the kind of regional collaboration we need to build a stronger, more resilient SME sector in the North East. A substantial investment over the next three years in leadership development is a clear signal of commitment to long-term economic growth and skills progression. Initiatives like this, supported by Government and EU funding, are vital in ensuring our workforce is equipped to lead, innovate and compete in a rapidly changing world.”
The programme has been developed by Professor Colette Henry, Head of the Department of Business Studies at DkIT and Dr Teresa O’Rourke from DkIT’s School of Business and Humanities, in partnership with Dundalk Chamber Skillnet.
Professor Henry Colette Henry said: “This is a highly applied programme, innovatively designed as discrete learning blocks, each with its own certification. It has a unique structure whereby core management topics in year one merge into a single foundational module, giving participants the opportunity to integrate rather than compartmentalise their learning. Year two introduces participants to specialist leadership skills and business strategy, while year three offers an opportunity to lead a live research-informed, practical project with the aim of making a valuable impact within the learner’s own workplace.”
Aidan Callan, Network Manager, Dundalk Chamber Skillnet added: “This programme represents a natural progression in our commitment to strengthen leadership capability for businesses across the North East. To date we’ve supported over 400 new managers through our Level 6 People Management initiative, and this partnership with DkIT enables us to build on that momentum by creating structured development pathways for new, middle, and senior managers, to equip SMEs with the leadership tools they need to thrive.”
For further information, please contact; aidan.callan@dundalkskillnet.ie
For more information on the programme – https://dundalkskillnet.ie/training/postgrad-cert-in-management-leading-to-a-masters-esf/
About Dundalk Chamber Skillnet
Dundalk Chamber Skillnet is an enterprise-led training network supporting the growth and resilience of SMEs and larger enterprises across the North East region. We work closely with industry to identify skills gaps and deliver targeted, high-impact training that aligns with business needs. Through our partnership with Skillnet Ireland, we part-fund a wide range of professional development opportunities — from leadership and management programmes to sector-specific upskilling — helping enterprises access cost-effective, practical learning solutions.
About Dundalk Institute of Technology
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) has been at the forefront of delivering excellence in Higher Education to meet the educational, economic, social, and cultural needs of the North-East region since 1970. Set in an 87-acre campus, DkIT provides quality learning and teaching to circa 6,000 full-time and part-time students across four Schools in Business and Humanities, Health and Science, Engineering, and Informatics & Creative Arts. DkIT provides Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees from Level 6 to Level 10 and has a track record of excellence in craft apprenticeships.
About Skillnet Ireland
Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. Skillnet Ireland partners with 57 industry bodies, supporting over 26,600 businesses and more than 97,700 trainees annually.
Skillnet Ireland encourages businesses of all sizes and sectors across the economy to avail of the range of Skillnet Ireland talent development and upskilling supports available through its 70 Skillnet Business Networks and five National Initiatives – Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, Skillnet MMC Accelerate, Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy and MentorsWork.
Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
To learn more about Skillnet Ireland visit www.skillnetireland.ie
Skillnet Business Network search tool: https://www.skillnetireland.ie/our-networks/
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