Free & 90% Funded Programmes under Springboard Initiative
The Springboard initiative is now open for applicants commencing programmes in September 2019 and all applicants can now receive funding towards their programme whether in employment or actively seeking employment
How much does the programme cost?
Courses will be free for employed people on NFQ Level 6 courses. For employed participants on courses NFQ level 7 – 9, 90% of the course fee will be funded by the Government, with participants required to contribute just 10% of the fee.
Will the programme affect my social welfare benefits?
The programme has no effect on a candidate’s social welfare benefits.
Candidates who wish to participate in Springboard + 2019 will find full details on the approved courses on the dedicated information and applications website springboardcourses.ie
Springboard + at NIBRT
NIBRT programmes are specifically designed to meet the requirements of the biopharmaceutical industry and the job seeking candidate including:
- A strong track record of NIBRT candidates obtaining employment in the pharma / biopharma sector
- Hands-on practical placements in NIBRT’s award winning facilities to provide candidates with the practical skills and experience required by Industry.
- Modules in career support and development.
- Instructors with extensive experience in training the biopharmaceutical industry.
- Placements in Industry for top performing Springboard graduates.
Current Springboard Courses
This online course has been designed in conjunction with the biopharmaceutical industry, with whom NIBRT/IT Sligo are closely aligned. The course is designed to introduce current manufacturing processes, good manufacturing practices and current industry trends to the participants. The course is aimed at process operators, technicians, technologists, production team leaders, primarily in the bioprocessing and cleanroom areas.
This online course has been designed in conjunction with the biopharmaceutical industry, with whom NIBRT/IT Sligo are closely aligned. The course is designed to introduce current manufacturing processes, good manufacturing practices and current industry trends to the participants. The course is aimed at process operators, technicians, technologists, production team leaders, primarily in the bioprocessing and cleanroom areas.
This course is unique. It is part of a suite of award winning courses offered by NIBRT/IT Sligo (Taoiseach’s Public Service Excellence Awards). It is a blend of the latest cutting-edge academic modules in (bio)pharmaceutical processing and Job Readiness modules, and includes exposure to a state of the art and award winning industrial biopharmaceutical training facility (www.nibrt.ie).
Career Opportunities
Candidates who successfully complete this programme may be eligible to work in the biopharmaceutical/pharmaceutical sector in the areas of manufacturing support, production specialists, or manufacturing technology specialists.
Course Duration
September 2019 – May 2020
What subjects will I study?
Upstream Processing
This module aims to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of both the theory and practical aspects of cell culture processing as it pertains to the manufacture of modern biopharmaceutical products.
Bioanalytics
This module aims to provide students with a general knowledge and understanding of a number of analytical test methods employed in the Quality Control analysis of Biopharmaceutical products.
Downstream Processing
This module aims to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of both the theory and practical aspects of protein purification processing as it pertains to the manufacture of modern biopharmaceutical products.
Sterile Fill Finish
This module aims to provide students with a general knowledge and understanding of the critical aspects of aseptic/sterile technique as it relates to filling operations for the Biologics Industry.
Students will attend NIBRT for training in both semesters of this programme. In semester one, students will spend time in the NIBRT facility engaging in the practical aspects of cell culture processing. This will include practical training on contamination control, cell culture scale up, and P&ID walk-downs of a 150L stainless steel bioreactor system.
Students will also attend the NIBRT facility as part of the Downstream Processing module in semester two, engaging in practical aspects of downstream purification operations such as chromatography, ultrafiltration diafiltration and protein stability.
Effectiveness & Employability
As part of this course, IT Sligo delivers an accredited ‘Personal Effectiveness and Employability’ programme to enhance its participant’s job readiness training. This programme is delivered in conjunction with a ‘Get Working’ module in association with HR specialists from the ‘Worklink’ organisation. Students will have access to lectures relating to career development, identifying target employers, how to connect with employers, collaborative effectively in groups and applying on-the-job soft skills. Students will receive feedback on submitted assignments and will be provided with individual assistance in gaining employment, work placement or internships.
Students can also avail of the services of the Careers Office and IT Careers Portal. A Virtual Careers Fair occurs annually and students have access to employers and their requirements. Students can attend live events where they can visit interactive sessions with employers.
How do I apply for this course?
Applications must be made through www.springboardcourses.ie
The L7 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Technology has been developed in consultation with the (bio)pharmaceutical industry in Ireland, to ensure the course offers the skills and experience that is required for this growing sector in Ireland.
Biotechnology, Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical manufacturing are key sectors in the Irish economy generating over 50% of GDP. In the last 18 months >3,800 jobs have been announced in the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. These include job announcements from BMS, Alexion, BioMarin, Pfizer and Shire. These companies are providing high value and stable employment.
A key challenge to job seekers in this sector is the requirement to have prior experience in a highly regulated (bio)pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. To help job seekers overcome this challenge, NIBRT and IT Tallaght have continued to enhance their successful Level 7 Springboard programme. The L7 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Technology has been developed in consultation with the (bio)pharmaceutical industry in Ireland, to ensure the course offers the skills and experience that is required for this growing sector in Ireland.
In addition, students will attend NIBRT for practical training in both semester 1 and semester 2. Students will also be offered a CV Preparation module and workshop.
Course Information
| NFQ level | 7 |
| Award | Level 7 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Technology |
| Provider | NIBRT/IT Tallaght |
| Programme code | |
| Delivery | Online |
| Duration | 9 months |
| Application closing date | 31st August 2018 |
Biopharmaceutical Science involves study of the discovery, development and processing of modern, medical drugs by artificially growing some or all of the components utilising cell culture technologies. The
The Medical Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical sectors are among the fastest growing in the Life Sciences area both nationally and internationally. This programme is jointly offered by IT Sligo and NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training). The programme is open to students who have obtained an honours degree (Level 8) or its equivalent, in an appropriate discipline (i.e. Engineering or Life Sciences). Other candidates with alternative honours degrees and experience in the bioprocessing industry may pursue the Certificate after completion of two prerequisite modules:Principles of Cell Biology for Biopharmaceutical Science and Principles of Biotechnology for Biopharmaceutical Science. Experiential learning will be assessed under the Institute’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process. It is the overall aim of this postgraduate course to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to become part of the Pharmaceutical, Healthcare or Biotechnology workforce. This is achieved through completing online modules that have been designed in conjunction with the Biopharma industry with whom NIBRT and IT Sligo are closely aligned. This course is particularly suited to individuals who may have worked in similar industries and are looking to enter the Biopharma manufacturing sector for the first time.
Course Information
| NFQ level | 9 |
| Award | Level 9 Certificate in Science in Biopharmaceutical Science |
| Provider | NIBRT |
| Programme code | SG_SBIOP_E09 |
| Delivery | Online |
| Duration | 9 months |
The Certificate in Science Biopharmaceutical Processing (Special Purpose Award – Level 7) has been developed in consultation with the Biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland to ensure the course offers the skill and experience that is required for this growing industry sector in Ireland.
The course has been developed and is offered in conjunction with NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training) with all of the laboratory work taking place at their state-of-the-art training facility in Dublin.
The course is offered in a fully-online manner utilising IT Sligo’s online delivery technologies which will minimise the amount of student time required to travel and attend at either IT Sligo or NIBRT. The Certificate develops specialised theoretical and practical discipline skills in the areas of Bioprocess Engineering, Facilities and Utilities, Lean Sigma, Biocontamination control and Biovalidation. Graduates from the Certificate in Bioprocess Engineering are ideally positioned to contribute to the Biopharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Diagnostics, Medical device and Pharmaceutical sectors.
Course Information
| NFQ level | 7 |
| Award | Level 7 Certificate of Science in Bioprocessing Engineering |
| Provider | IT Sligo/NIBRT |
| Programme code | SG_SBIOE_E07 |
| Delivery | Online |
| Duration | 9 months |
| Application closing date | 31st August 2018 |
The course has been developed and is offered in conjunction with NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training) with all of the laboratory work taking place at their state-of-the-art training facility in Dublin.
The Certificate in Science Biopharmaceutical Processing (Special Purpose Award – Level 7) has been developed in consultation with the Biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland to ensure the course offers the skill and experience that is required for this growing industry sector in Ireland.
The course is offered in a fully-online manner utilising IT Sligo’s online delivery technologies which will minimise the amount of student time required to travel and attend at either IT Sligo or NIBRT.
The course is offered in a online manner utilising IT Sligo’s online delivery technologies. Students are required to travel to NIBRT for two days practical training per semester for the Cell Culture and the Protein Purification module.
Course Information
| NFQ level | 7 |
| Award | Level 7 Certificate in Biopharmaceutical Processing |
| Provider | IT Sligo/NIBRT |
| Programme code | SG_SBIOP_E07 |
| Delivery | Online |
| Duration | 9 months |
| Application closing date | 31st August 2018 |
This online course has been designed in conjunction with the biopharmaceutical industry, with whom NIBRT/IT Sligo are closely aligned.
The course is designed to introduce current manufacturing processes, good manufacturing practices and current industry trends to the participants. The course is aimed at process operators, technicians, technologists, and production team leaders, primarily seeking employment or wishing to upskill in the bioprocessing and cleanroom areas.
The modules offered in this programme include Upstream Processing, Downstream Processing, Sterile Fill Finish and Bioanalytics. These modules have been developed in consultation with the biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland to ensure the course offers the skills and experience that is required for this growing industry sector.
Course Information
| NFQ Level | 6 |
| Provider | NIBRT/IT Sligo |
| Programme code | SG_SBIOP_E06 |
| Delivery | Online |
| Application closing date | 31st August 2018 |
| Award | Level 6 Certificate in Science in Biopharmaceutical Processing |
| Duration | 9 months |
What are the job opportunities in the biopharma industry?
The Biopharmaceutical industry has made a capital investment of approximately $8 billion in new facilities in Ireland, most of which has come in the last 10 years.
This represents close to the biggest wave of investment in new BioTech facilities anywhere in the world. Ireland is now the 7th largest exporter of medicine and pharmaceutical products in the world, with the amount of products exported annually reaching €39bn.
Graduates from NIBRT’s Springboard courses are well positioned for opportunities in the related pharma, medical devices and food science industries.
NIBRT also holds an annual Careers in Biopharma jobs fair.
Application process
As places are limited, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as the program is officially launched. Courses start in August-September 2018 and candidates should apply via www.springboardcourses.ie (use “NIBRT” as keyword to search for the course of interest) Please contact springboard@nibrt.ie and we'd be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Course Level Guidelines
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Level 6 courses are suitable for candidates with Leaving Cert or equivalent qualifications
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Level 7 courses are suitable for candidates with a Level 6 in science, engineering or related discipline
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Level 8 courses are suitable for candidates with an ordinary degree in science, engineering or related discipline
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Level 9 courses are suitable for candidates with an honours degree in science, engineering or related discipline
Registration:
Places on these courses are allocated on a first come, first served basis and the courses fill rapidly
Candidates are encouraged to apply today via www.springboardcourses.ie
NIBRT Springboard+ Queries
Please contact springboard@nibrt.ie
NIBRT Safety
NIBRT provides a “one stop shop” for the bioprocessing Industry’s training requirements. We provide a dynamic catalogue of course content from which we build unique training solutions for our Clients.
Those attending a NIBRT training or research event or class must complete a comprehensive safety program.
To learn more please watch this video.