Program Overview

Leadership for the Agri-Food Sector - Diploma - Dip

Course Fact File

• Code: DLAFS
• Duration: 1 year
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Qualifications: Dip
• NFQ Level: Level 7
• NFQ Award Title: Special Purpose
• Fees: €7,800
• Closing Date: This course will not run for the Academic Year
• Venue: UCC

Course Outline

The Diploma in Leadership for the Agri-Food Sector is designed to meet the career development needs of graduates working in this sector's SMEs, with particular focus on soft skills.

The course, now in its second year of delivery, is designed to provide recent graduates and high potential employees in Ireland’s agri-food SME sector with the transversal management and leadership skills required to enhance their early career performance and development. Significantly, the academic content of this programme has been developed specifically to meet the needs of the agriculture and food sector. Topics covered include team building, project management, communication & presentation skills, commercial acumen, decision making, business planning and LEAN.

The programme facilitates those individuals who wish to study part time and integrate their studies with their careers. Participants will attend ten two-day interactive workshops.

The course also includes the undertaking, by each student, of a relevant in-company project. This will enable each student to gain an in-depth appreciation of a topic of their choice, while also facilitating the students to apply what they are learning on the course for the benefit of their work place.

Course Practicalities

The Diploma is an intensive 60 credit programme delivered part-time over one year. Potential students should expect to devote 18-20 hours per week to workshops, project based learning, work based learning and self-directed study.

The core teaching will take place at 10x2 day workshops. These will take place at various locations throughout Ireland (Covid permitting) and students are expected to attend all workshops. Please note that in , due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, online delivery of workshop materials may be necessary.

In addition to the workshops, participants will be expected to work in groups on module assignments and to conduct a project in their host company. This project will involve an identification, planning and delivery phase as well as the preparation of a comprehensive report.

Finally, students will complete a series of supported learning tasks between workshops.

Modules

• FE1841 Team Building and Personal Effectiveness (10 credits)
• FE1842 Food Business Planning (5 credits)
• FE1843 Commercial Acumen in Business (10 credits)
• FS1821 Performance Management Principles for Agri-Food Businesses (5 credits)
• FS1822 Time Planning and Management (5 credits)
• FS1827 Project Management Principles for Agri-Food Businesses (10 credits)
• FS1828 LEAN Principles for Agri-Food Businesses (5 credits)
• FS1829 Decision Making and Critical Analysis (5 credits)
• FS1830 Introduction to Management Principles (5 credits)

Why Choose This Course

This course offers a unique opportunity for early career, high potential graduates to join a bespoke programme to develop their Leadership and Management potential. It is the first programme of its type to be developed in response to an industry need in the agri-food sector. The approach has been carefully developed to blend the acquisition of highly sought after transversal skills with tangible capabilities that can be immediately implemented in your organisation.

Skills and Careers Information

This course is for high potential early career graduates in the agri-food sector. The skills developed on this diploma will allow you to take control of accelerating your career and achieving real and meaningful impact. In addition, successful completion of this programme will confer eligibility on a range of related and progressive courses.

Requirements

Applications will be accepted from candidates who:

• Hold a level 8 degree or equivalent in a food science, nutrition, engineering or science related discipline
• Are currently working in a food, agri-food or related organisation

OR

• Have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience as deemed appropriate by the programme Academic Director
• Are currently working in a food, agri-food or related organisation

Fees and Costs

€7,800. Partial funding is available for eligible candidates to support the fees for this course.

How To Apply

When you log into the Application Portal:

• Click Apply Online
• Select Start a new Adult & Continuing Education Application
• On the 2nd tab Academic Level
• Select the following options:
  • Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
  • Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses
  • Academic Programme: The course title you are applying for.
• During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:
  • Birth Cert or Passport
  • Passport Photograph
  • English Language Test Report [if applicable]
  • CV
  • Application Statement

For the attention of non-resident/overseas applicant:

Please note the course is delivered in a blended format. The sessions on the 6th & 7th September; 11th & 12th October; 6th & 7th December; 10th & 11th January; 6th & 7th March; 10th & 11th April; 5th & 6th June will be held on campus in UCC, or other centrally located venue in Ireland. The remaining sessions will be held online. Non-resident/overseas applicants will need to take travelling considerations into account before applying.