Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies have become increasingly important in manufacturing in recent years. They help manufacturers with current challenges by becoming more flexible and makes reacting to changes in the manufacturing process easier, faster and more efficient.
The implementation of Industry 4.0 and IIoT techniques within a manufacturing facility can increase yield, quality and product throughput, while reducing downtime and improving processes efficiency, increasing the speed of innovation, leading to faster design processes and subsequently to a more sustainable and profitable future.
‘Smart factories’
Interaction with the major players in the Irish manufacturing sector has found that there is a specific skills shortage in the area of advanced manufacturing which is slowing Irish industries progress towards ‘smart factories’.
The Certificate in Industry 4.0 and Industrial IoT, delivered primarily through online evening sessions, is designed for scientists and engineers who are currently working in manufacturing and who want to improve the standard in Irish manufacturing through gaining a Level 8 qualification.
The programme was developed by the engineering team in the IMaR Research Centre @ MTU, with guidance for the centre's Industrial Steering Committee to meet the demand from employee upskilling they are experiencing.
Dr Daniel Riordan, head of department, Technology, Engineering and Maths, at the MTU Kerry Campus, says the modules on the programme address current and future technologies in manufacturing and provide students with the broad range of skills needed in manufacturing today: “This future-focused qualification includes all the necessary modules including Instrumentation Monitoring & Control, Industrial Internet of Things: Applications, Industrial Networks, Distributed Systems & Cloud Computing, Industry 4.0: Cyber Physical Systems, Machine Learning/Data for Internet of Things.”
Applicants must hold an NFQ level 7 or equivalent qualification in a relevant science or engineering discipline. The university’s policy in relation to recognition of prior learning (RPL) also applies.
This programme is delivered part-time from September 2022 to May 2023. The majority of content will be delivered online during evening sessions, however, students will be required to attend a number of workshops in-person approximately two days per semester.
Fees do not apply to applicants who meet the Springboard+ initiative funding criteria. For employed applicants the HEA will pay 90% of the programme fee, the remaining 10% – €360 will be payable before registration. For applicants who do not meet the Springboard+ eligibility criteria, the fee is €3,600.
For more information or to speak to our Lifelong Learning Office please email parttimekerry@mtu.ie or call 066 7191701.