Minimum requirements for a Supply Chain Associate apprenticeship would typically be a NFQ Level 6 (Certificate) in a relevant area and related disciplines.

– Applicants who have completed an NFQ Level 6 apprenticeship, in a cognate field, are also eligible to apply e.g. Logistics Associate.

– The consortium will also facilitate recognition of prior learning (RPL) and will recognise candidates who have a lower qualification than Level 6, provided the applicant has applicable industrial experience and evidence of the ability to study at diploma level.

– Also, modules taken under the auspices of Engineers Ireland, APICS SCC, and other providers of CPD programming could be accumulated to meet entry criteria.

The modules in this two year programme are structured for blended delivery which minimises the time that participants are ‘off the job’. A central interactive platform hosts the complete syllabus, and students can access course materials anytime and anywhere.

Only one module will run at any one time, and each taught module will run for a period of five weeks.

This gives students the benefit of focusing their time and thinking exclusively on one area of supply chain management at each stage.

• Virtual classrooms and online tutorials from subject matter experts

• Collaborative group work in virtual teams

• On campus lectures 1 day every 3 weeks during the Autumn and Spring semesters, i.e. 6 days a semester.

• Summer school during the first year at the University of Limerick

•Two in-company, self-directed projects

• Additional industry-based seminars and company visits to explore supply chain in practice in Irish and International enterprises.

• Participation in a Community of Practice. This will allow participants to interact and engage in peer-to-peer learning activities around the academic content.

• Support from an Industry Mentor within the company throughout the apprenticeship

 

Course Content

YEAR 1

• INTRODUCTION TO SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (SCM)
• PRINCIPLES OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
• PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION PLANNING
• PRINCIPLES OF MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT
• PRINCIPLES OF MANAGING OPERATIONS
• PRINCIPLES OF DISTRIBUTIONS AND LOGISTICS
• CASE STUDY
• TEAMS, CHANGE AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY
• REFLECTIVE LEARNING PORTFOLIO (SCM)
• COMPANY PROJECT 1
• SUMMER SCHOOL

YEAR 2

• MODELS AND FRAMEWORKS FOR SCM
• FORECASTING AND SCHEDULING
• SUPPLY AND DEMAND PLANNING
• CASE STUDY 2
• PROFESSIONAL PURCHASING
• SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
• STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
• TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
• SKILLS PORTFOLIO (SCM)
• COMPANY PROJECT 2
• SUMMER SCHOOL

• Demonstrate sound moral and ethical principles at work and respect for co-workers
• Self-awareness and sensitivity to others
• Respect confidentiality and comply with legal obligations and necessities
• Honest and open communication to contribute to effective relationships within and between co-workers
• Flexible and responsive to the modern changing work environment
• Understands organisational behaviour and how organisational behaviour impacts on individual and team behaviour(s)

Individual

• Understand the principals of forecasting, planning, purchasing, procurement, logistics, operations, inventory management, customer service, transport, distribution and warehousing.
• Familiarity of compliance with internal and external policies, procedures and regulations
• Openness to digital transformation and awareness of disruptive technologies
• Application use of IT solutions and upskilling in new supply chain technologies
• Awareness of financial resources (securing and raising) and the deployment of financial resources (use of funds)
• Report on transportation or logistical issues and contribute to their resolution
• Implement and react to day to day problems under guidance and supervision
• Administer track and trace solutions and logging resources requirements (input vs output)

Team

• Project Management: Basic project management skills for low level projects/process improvements (Yellow Belt)
• Play an active role as a team member of an internal or distributed team
• Contribute to team vision
• Pro-actively engage with internal and external team members
• Implement design, plan, execute, control and oversee supply chain activities
• Comply with strategic vision to ensure organisation sustains competitive advantage and infrastructure, leverages international logistics, synchronizes supply with demand, and analyses performance globally.
• Contribute to team dynamic through sound moral, ethical, confidential, respectful and honest principles
• Continue to build communication and negotiation skills
• Knowledge of current organizational performance metrics and any associated improvement actions

This apprenticeship can serve industries such as:

• Manufacturing
• Production
• Service Sectors

The normal University of Limerick progression route will be available to apprentices that successful complete the programme of study, providing a pathway to Level 8 (Honours Degree) in Supply Chain Specialist.

Note: People in employment have a number of options for both Educational and Career Progression. It might also be possible to gain promotion within your existing company.  By using your existing qualifications and your experience you might to able to secure an alternative position in a more senior role in another company. It may also be possible to set up your own company based again on your existing qualifications and experience.  Whatever route you decide to take remember education is a lifelong pursuit and you can always continue to up skill and/or retrain, whatever your age.  Links to some enterprise supports can be found below

Enterprise and Self-Employment Support:

On completion of anapprenticeship if you feel you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience you may decide to set up your own business. The links below might be useful to support you:

• Local Enterprise Offices, For profit Local enterprise support
• Local Area partnerships For profit enterprise support
• Social entrepreneurs: Not-for-profit enterprise support
• Franchising: Developing your business under an established franchise

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.

This apprenticeship is managed by University of Limerick. If you are interested in a Supply Chain Associate Apprenticeship you should make contact with University of Limerick via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Supply Chain Associate Apprenticeship brochure.

Further information is also available from the co-ordinating provider for this apprenticeship:

University of Limerick
Elaine Butler
Tel: 061 239998 or 086 173 8643

Philomena Kelly
Tel: 061 237770 or 083 3505399

Email: [email protected]

Finding an employer and securing your apprenticeship

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

Opportunities for this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations:

• Logistics and Supply Chain Industry

The employer pays the apprentice for the duration of this apprenticeship programme. The rate of pay agreed for this apprenticeship is agreed between the employer and the apprentice.

Student Contribution

A registration fee/student contribution is payable for this apprenticeship.

•             Student registration fee: €35

•            The student contribution is 30% of the student fees set nationally and is subject to change. 

Student Contribution

Year 1	€900
Year 2	€900
Total Fee	€1800