GMIT School of Business

1. GMIT School of Business Educational Responses- ‘Incubation and Outreach’ New Approaches Presentation on the Higher Certificate in Business in Enterprise Development Outreach Programme with RAPID in Tuam by Ivan McPhillips Thursday 29th October 2009

2. GMIT School of Business • The School of Business currently has approximately 1,000 full-time students enrolled on its various undergraduate programmes, across disciplines such as Accounting, Marketing, Agri-business, Information Systems and Human Resource Management. • Taught Masters in Strategy and Innovation Management since September 2009

3. School of Business Programmes • Three-Year Honours Degree in Accountancy (Level 8) • Three Year Ordinary Degree in Business (Level 7) • Three-Year Ordinary Degree in Rural Enterprise and Agribusiness (Level 7) • Three-Year Ordinary Degree in Administration and Information Systems (Level 7) • Three Year Ordinary Degree in Personnel Management (Level 7) (Part-Time) • Bachelor of Business Degree (Level 8) (Full-Time & Part-Time) • Bachelor of Arts in Information Systems Management (Level 8) • Three and Four Year BA I nGnó & Cumarsáid (Level 7 and Level 8) • Two Year Higher Certificate in Enterprise Development (Level 6). • Taught MBS and Research MBS programmes

4. Higher Certificate in Business in Enterprise Development Course Development & Background to the Tuam Outreach Programme

5. Background to this Initiative • Higher Certificate in Business in Enterprise Development • Approved in 2005 • Lionra Network • Level 6 NQAI • Commenced in GMIT, Galway campus September 2006 • Support from FÁS ‘Training for People in Employment Programme’ • RAPID Tuam approached by GMIT to role out the programme • Meeting with AIT • Tuam commenced with RAPID and FAS, Western Traveller and Intercultural Development Association and Tuam Chamber of Commerce support in January 2007

6. The role of RAPID and FÁS • “The support of the Tuam RAPID office and FÁS - the National Training Authority - were, taken together, the key foundation stones on which the project was predicated.” Larry Elwood, Head of School of Business, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology

7. Project Aim • To deliver a Level 6 course in Enterprise Development in the RAPID area aimed at those who would not normally access third level education and who would be interested in participating in, or were already started up in enterprises or community enterprises.

8. Target • To deliver an outreach programme of Galway- Mayo Institute of Technology in conjunction with a local Traveller development organisation, the Chamber of Commerce and RAPID to provide a modular and accredited programme for 20 people, suitable to provide people with relevant skills to improve their business knowledge, develop a business idea, and give credit to skills learnt, allowing interested participants to progress to a Level 7 or Level 8 course if wished.

9. Outputs and Outcomes achieved • Over the two academic years this programme ran, there were: 40 individual beneficiaries, of whom 19 were male and 21 female • 13 were Travellers and a further 2 were individuals working in Traveller organisations • 11 were unemployed • Small business owner-managers and staff • 12 modules delivered over two years

10. Target Participant Groups • People who are unemployed/reduced working hours who wish to up-skill • People working in casual/part-time employment wishing to up-skill • Community/voluntary sector with/without a business idea • Individuals with/without a business idea • Owners and Managers of small business whose businesses are in difficulty

11. Stage 1 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Marketing and Market Research Business Planning and Finance Managing People Information Technology Mentoring, Advice, Learning and Support Stage 2 Mentoring and Growing Your Business Communications, Selling and Sales Management and Customer Service Business Accounting Law for Enterprise Operations and Quality Management Enterprise Project Course Overview

12. Why was this programme innovative? • Individualised Mentoring Programme • Practical Projects • Open book assessments • Participant Networking • Participant Learner Log Books • Focus on applied skills • Links with Development Agencies • Progression possibilities to Level 7/8 • Single Subject Certification • Delivered in Tuam

13. Current Activity • Galway, Tuam, Ballinasloe (with AIT) and Islands have had Higher Certificate in Business in Enterprise Development modules delivered to date • Since March 2009, 148 registered and attending new Higher Certificate in Business in Enterprise Development Programme in GMIT • GMIT School of Business staff have volunteered to provide their expertise and service free of charge to this new programme • Offered at No FEE to assist people affected by the economic downturn

14. Thank You • Ann Mallaghan, Tuam RAPID co-ordinator • FÁS for their support • Area Implementation Team • Western Traveller and Intercultural Development Association • Tuam Chamber of Commerce • GMIT management and staff

15. Contact Details • Carmel Brennan Head of Department, School of Business, GMIT Phone (091) 742266 e-mail: carmel.brennan@gmit.ie • Ivan McPhillips Lecturer, GMIT Phone (091) 742608 e-mail: ivan.mcphillips@gmit.ie