Engineers Ireland has announced the expansion of its diploma course offering to engineers wishing to improve their continuing professional development (CPD).
The professional membership body for engineers in Ireland in collaboration with NIBRT, the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, is expanding its CPD course choice to include a new 12-month TU Dublin-accredited diploma to support engineers develop skills and knowledge of biopharmaceutical operations.
Course will commence on September 19
The new programme rated Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications is entitled CPD Diploma in Professional Engineering and Biopharmaceutical Operations. It will commence on September 19.
This standalone diploma builds on the existing CPD Certificate and Diploma in Professional Engineering offered by Engineers Ireland under its Future Professionals series.
Caroline Spillane, director general, Engineers Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with NIBRT - a world-class institute offering training and research solutions - to offer structured advancement for engineers to further develop their knowledge of biopharmaceutical operations.
“Ireland is one of Europe’s leading locations for biopharmaceutical operations and manufacturing and this expanding industry offers immense career opportunities for engineers and graduate engineers.
"Our new diploma is targeted at those who wish to develop their career in the specific area of biopharmaceutical operations and also build competency in business improvement. The major building blocks to high-level engineering competence will be covered across five core modules of the diploma.”
'Tremendous growth in biopharmaceutical industry in recent years'
John Milne, training director, NIBRT said: “NIBRT is delighted to partner with Engineers Ireland on this exciting new programme. Ireland has seen tremendous growth in the biopharmaceutical industry in recent years. Engineering as a discipline will continue to play a crucial role in the successful operation of modern biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
"We look forward to working with our colleagues in Engineers Ireland as they welcome the first intake of students on the programme in 2019. We will be excited to support these students and welcome them to the NIBRT production training facility where they can engage in competency based practical sessions in our utilities and production suites.
"We hope to give them a deep insight into the unit operations used to manufacture complex and exciting therapeutics which will complement other modules in their CPD diploma programme.”
The new biopharmaceutical operations diploma will cover subject matter including facility design, cleanroom operations, as well as upstream and downstream processing. Training days relating to core biopharmaceutical study will be delivered at NIBRT’s state-of-the-art bioprocessing facility in Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Engineering project management
Other modules including engineering project management, effective leadership, analysis to action, finance for professional engineers, risk analysis, advanced presentation skills and the team project will be delivered in Engineers Ireland’s training facility in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
The programme will be delivered on a part-time basis involving classroom and laboratory sessions, project work, assignments, research and workplace mentoring. A Team Project spans the duration of the course.
Successful students will receive a CPD Diploma in Professional Engineering and Biopharmaceutical Operations from Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin).
It will be worth 30 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits. Applicants are required to have a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience in an engineering-led environment and to be in relevant full-time or part-time employment. All applicants should hold a minimum qualification of an NFQ Level 8 honours degree in engineering (or equivalent).
For further information and to apply for the course see
here.