Having recently introduced a masters in artificial intelligence, the Ibec-affiliated Technology Ireland ICT Skillsnet has now announced plans to roll-out a new industry-led degree in innovation in collaboration with Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT).
The new level 9 masters in leadership, innovation and technology is intended to provide a career pathway for IT professionals, and help companies retain existing technical expert staff.
The programme, which focuses on issues such as leadership, organisational behaviour, strategy, innovation, personal awareness, change management, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, creativity, and critical thinking, will be delivered part-time over two years.
It will not include exams but instead focus on practical learning that can be applied immediately in the workplace.
Indeed, two-thirds of the masters award will be linked to completion of a major research or transformation project to be carried out by participants within their own companies.
The first intake of candidates for the programme will commence next month.
“Developing management skills is one of the most critical activities facing any company. In the ICT sector it can also be one of the most challenging, given the diversity and scope of the work which the average manager in an ICT company performs,” said Paul Sweetman, director of Technology Ireland.
“This programme is unique because the structure and content has been designed by industry with the help of DIT to allow current and potential managers develop the broad range of skills they need to be effective on a daily basis.”