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.

The Certificate in Business and Digital Skills (Level 6, 30 ECTS) micro-credential programme has been designed for those who are self-employed with limited business and digital literacy knowledge and skills, unemployed from a related role, or in employment and who require cross-skilling or up-skilling in this area. It is primarily aimed at those who wish to advance their careers by gaining skills and knowledge in business and digital skills to play an active role in their organisation. Upon successful completion of this programme, learners will be able to apply these skills effectively and understand how to integrate them into decision-making in a company or self-employed role. They will be well-positioned to pursue roles within organisations that require business and digital skills-related tasks. Each module aims to stimulate curiosity and inquiry through delivery in a theoretical and experiential context through knowledge and skills to ensure learners acquire a systematic understanding of these core concepts and practical application of business administration. Furthermore, the programme encourages self-awareness and academic independence by allowing the learner to identify and build on their attributes and competencies.

Ireland is increasingly competing globally based on talent and its growing reputation for innovation (Ireland's National Skills Strategy 2025). Success in the Irish economy can be achieved by ensuring that the population has access to the skills required to succeed in life and by guaranteeing that Irish business has the skilled workforce to continue to grow. This National Skills Strategy (2025) will see Ireland advance towards its ambitious vision as a country renowned for its skills and talent through:

• The quality and relevance of our education and training base, which is responsive to the changing and diverse needs of our people, society and the economy.

• The strength of relationships and transfer of knowledge between employers, education and training providers, and all sections of society, and the resulting impact on how people are prepared for life and work.

• The quality of our workforce – a nation of people armed with relevant knowledge, entrepreneurial agility and analytical skills.

• The effective use of skills to support economic and social prosperity, and to enhance the wellbeing of our country.

• The effective use of technology to support talent and skills provision, to grow enterprise, and to enhance the lives of all within society.

The National Skills Strategy 2025 highlights 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.

Bridging the Gap: Ireland’s Digital Divide (Accenture 2020) includes results from a survey of 1,001 citizens in Ireland who were asked to assess their own digital competencies. Findings saw 42pc of participants describe themselves as “average or below” for digital skills. That report said that at least 25pc of the Irish population was excluded from an “increasingly digital society” because of socioeconomic reasons, which was leading to a “two-speed digital economy”. Accenture Ireland Country Managing Director, Alastair Blair, said there are clear indicators that people generally have become more digitally engaged in the past two years, “However, there are cohorts of the population not benefiting from, or engaging with, digital society – at work or in their everyday lives”.

Ultimately, these gaps are not going to close on their own so when it comes to digital engagement while helping them “skill up” and play an active part in the digital economy, the Certificate in Business and Digital Skills continues to provide the type of opportunity to address this gap. A range of employment opportunities exist in sub-sections of business-like marketing, sales, operations, and people development.

Delivery

All classes will take place live online and will be recorded.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for this micro-credential programme are:

• Leaving Certificate applicants who have achieved 5 O6/H7s, including English or another language or a full Level 5 FETAC/QQI Award or equivalent.

• Applications for the Certificate in Business and Digital Skills are via the Springboard website and are subsequently administered by the DBS Admissions Office.

• Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a relevant qualification taught in English must provide evidence of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate or DBS English assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

Mature
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.

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 considered and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.

 *Eligibility and entry requirements apply.