Is your organisation ready to be a smart factory of the future? The University of Limerick unveils the Equipment Systems Engineering Master's apprenticeship programme.
Irish Industry, with the University of Limerick (UL), has just unveiled its sixth executive apprenticeship programme: Equipment Systems Engineering – Master's by Research.
Digital transformation
In Ireland, 35% of national gross value add (GVA) is from the manufacturing industry. Digital transformation (move to digital and cloud) is radically changing and disrupting this sector. Irish industry will need to ensure that it is future ready to meet these challenges and in particular, the requirements that Industry 4.0 will bring.
This executive apprenticeship programme has been developed in collaboration with notable industry partners including, SL Controls, Johnson & Johnson Limerick, Boston Scientific Galway and the Equipment Systems Engineering Academy as consortia lead.
It provides experienced engineers with a comprehensive framework to manage the implementation of industry 4.0 innovations in their employer’s equipment.
This two-year MEng by Research, in conjunction with vibrant Communities of Practice (CoP), provides an ideal framework for the participant to comprehensively and efficiently evaluate both disruptive and sustaining innovation solutions.
Once qualified as an Equipment Systems Engineer (ESEs), candidates will be able to remain engaged with the CoPs throughout their long and productive careers.
Blended delivery
The programme is structured for blended delivery of online learning and face-to-face sessions, that minimise time ‘off the job.’ It includes:
- Three-day introductory boot camp at UL
- Online disruptive innovation sprints.
- Online technology provider sprints.
- Annual eExpo at UL.
- Participation in a ‘community of practice’.
- Support from an industry mentor within the company.
“We are on the cusp of the 4th industrial revolution, known as Industry 4.0. Ireland needs equipment systems engineers today and, in the future, to design, develop, and implement industry 4.0 technologies.
The consortia are delighted to be part of the process of designing this programme with UL. Equipment systems engineering graduates will have the skills required to meet the ever-changing needs of industry.
Dr Shane Loughlin, consortia lead, co-founder SL Controls, and founder of the Equipment Systems Engineering Academy (E-Cubers). This programme is designed for professionals who:
- Procure, design, manufacture, commission, support or optimise Industry 4.0 equipment for the high-tech manufacturing sector in Ireland.
- Wish to collaborate with others to broaden their overall access to emerging research, technologies, and best working practice to meet the challenges of Industry 4.0.
- Have a strong desire for recognition as technical leaders in equipment systems engineering.
- Wish to be capable of investigating and implementing key digital technologies on their employer’s equipment. This includes developing cyber-physical systems using cognitive computing, internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, and more.
The Equipment Systems Engineer is one of a suite of apprenticeship programmes currently running in UL:
- Doctorate Level 10 – principal engineer
- Master's Level 9 – lean sigma manager
- Master's Level 9 – equipment systems engineer
- Master's Level 9 – supply chain manager
- Degree Level 8 – supply chain specialist
- Diploma Level 7 – supply chain associate
For further information, please see our website and Email: apprenticeships@ul.ie