Plastics Ireland (Ibec) launches a new Certificate in Polymer Technology

A new Certificate in Polymer Technology has just been formally launched as part of the Springboard 2013 suite of programmes. This programme is specifically designed to fill a gap at Level 6 for technicians in the plastics industry and will be jointly delivered by Plastics Ireland and IT Sligo over one year (primarily online). It is aimed at suitable jobseekers and successful completion of this programme will allow entrants to gain the necessary technical skills to help secure employment in the plastics manufacturing/medical device industries as a technician/ apprentice technician in polymer processing. This programme is available to eligible jobseekers free of charge.

There is currently a shortage of polymer technicians in the industry and this shortage has been highlighted in both the Forfas/Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report on the Future Skills Requirements of the Manufacturing Sector to 2020 and the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, both recently published.

The subjects covered in this year long programme are:

Mathematics (5 ECTS Credits), CIM & Automation Technology (10 ECTS Credits), Plastics Materials and Processing (10 ECTS Credits) and Plastics Material Selection (10 ECTS Credits).                                                                               

This programme also requires attendance at IT Sligo or Athlone on six practical days (normally Saturdays) during the year and there will also be an induction day(s) to allow candidates to familiarise themselves with accessing online lectures and meet the course co-ordinator, lecturers and fellow students.

There is a 6 month work placement for participants in medical device/ plastics manufacturing companies that will commence in April/May 2014. During this 6 month internship programme, eligible candidates may receive an additional allowance of €50 per week on top of their social welfare entitlements, in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out under Job Bridge – the National Internship Programme https://www.jobbridge.ie/InternEligible.aspx

 Strong support from the industry, in the provision of meaningful work placements in 2014, is needed to make this programme a success. Please click here if you are interested in providing a placement.

 There is also opportunity for future further progression to either a Level 7 BEng in Polymer Processing, a Level 7 BEng in Mechatronics or other appropriate Level 7 programmes.

Springboard. Building Our Future. Log on to Springboardcourses.ie or freephone 1800 303523 for details.

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