IT Sligo launches first-of-their-kind online courses for water industry in Ireland and the rest of the world
These are the first third-level bespoke, part-time, online programmes designed for the water and wastewater sector in Ireland and the rest of the world.
The programmes, which launched yesterday morning (Wednesday, 30 May) at IT Sligo’s Aurivo Auditorium, were created in partnership with Irish Water and the Local Authority Services National Training Group (LASNTG).
The courses at Higher Certificate (L6) and MSc (L9) levels, were developed collaboratively by the Institute’s Department of Civil Engineering and Construction and the Department of Environmental Science.
Three courses in total will be delivered at IT Sligo, starting this September: A Level 6 (L6) Certificate in Wastewater Treatment Operations; L6 Certificate in Drinking Water Treatment Operations; and L9 Post Graduate Diploma and Master of Science in Water Services Management.
Trevor McSharry, Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, and Frances Lucy, Head of Environmental Science, highlighted that the programmes will utilise a combination of live online lectures, workshops and site visits. The students will come from both the public and private sectors in the water and wastewater industry.
The L6 and L9 programmes offer a first-of-its-kind opportunity to consolidate water industry specific learning in an accredited modular approach.
The L6 Certificate programme, in particular, seeks to meet demand in the sector for developing overall water and wastewater treatment expertise. This is planned to be met through accredited qualifications while recognising the years of on-the-job experience many operatives and engineers have accumulated.
Dr Brendan McCormack, President, IT Sligo, stressed the importance of these new water service programmes. He said: “IT Sligo is delighted to work in partnership with Irish Water and the LASNTG. We are committed to the learners on these new programmes, who will be supported by lecturers via our flexible online delivery. They will have hands-on engagement in learning while remaining in the workplace. Strategically, IT Sligo is committed to national and EU targets for energy efficiencies, environment and public health. We are very pleased to be providing our expertise in these areas to meet the needs of the water industry.”
Irish Water’s Chief Technical Officer, Gerry Galvin said: “Irish Water is delighted to be partnering with IT Sligo and LASNTG in launching these unique courses which will ensure the water and wastewater sector can deliver a modern, efficient and fit-for-use service by ensuring the upskilling and career development of skilled operatives and engineers.
“Water services in Ireland have undergone substantial change and Irish Water has committed in its Business Plan to significant improvements in compliance and efficiencies in delivering water services. The collaboration on both the L6 and L9 programmes draws on considerable experience both from IT Sligo and subject matter experts in Irish Water in designing the curricula for the three courses.”
Mr Seamus Neely, Chair of the LASNTG and Chief Executive Donegal County Council said: “The LASNTG are delighted to have been involved in the development of these courses aimed at staff working in the water sector. We welcome the continuing investment in the professional development of water services staff which is particularly important in the context of the current challenges facing the sector. It is our policy to strive for validation of training programmes and we value our collaboration with IT Sligo and Irish Water in development and validation of these programmes.”
IT Sligo will begin delivering these courses in September 2018.
For further details, please email admissions@nullitsligo.ie or visit www.itsligo.ie
Photo © Colin Gillen/framelight.ie