Skip to main content

Course Search

Courses

Admissions & Support

Faculty Areas

Course Search

Our Campuses

Our Services

Our Community

Course Search

Governance

Professional Services

Discover More

Operations, Quality and Lean Management (Certificate, Level 6, 60 ECTS)

  • Location: Online

  • years: 1

  • Fees: This programme will be funded/part-funded by Springboard+ for the academic year 2026/2027.

  • Level 6

  • Course Type Flexible and Professional Learning

  • Study Mode Part Time

  • Department Flexible & Professional Learning

  • Start Date 14/09/2026

Application Register Your Interest

Register Your Interest

Click here

Course Overview

This course is now closed for applications as all funded places have been allocated.  If you are interested in the next intake please click the Register Your Interest button above and fill out the form.  We will be in contact via email for the next intake.

This course is expected to open for applications on May 2026 on www.springboardcourses.ie

 

The Certificate in Operations, Quality and Lean Management is a one-year, part-time online programme designed to prepare learners for roles in quality assurance, operations, and lean management across a variety of sectors—including manufacturing, med-tech, engineering, hospitality, and financial services.

This flexible, industry-responsive programme equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to manage operations, improve quality, and implement lean principles in diverse organisational settings. Developed in collaboration with employers, the curriculum reflects the growing demand for professionals who understand how to streamline operations, enhance quality systems, and respond to evolving business challenges.

Who is this for?

  • Individuals working in, or seeking to enter, operations and quality-related roles

  • Those looking to upskill or reskill in response to industry demand

  • Jobseekers meeting Springboard+ eligibility criteria

  • Professionals aiming to apply lean methodologies and quality systems within their organisation

Key Features

  • Delivered online with two evenings per week plus occasional Saturdays

  • Supportive learning environment with access to academic and technical resources

  • Integration of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and applied industry examples

  • Completion of Lean Six Sigma Green Belt as part of the quality module

  • Focus on four key national priorities: digital skills, transversal skills, management and leadership, and future workplace readiness

More Information

  • Modules

     

    Business Management

    Introduces core management principles, organisational behaviour, motivation, teamwork, leadership and managing change in modern workplaces.

    Learning and Development for Higher Education 

    Builds study skills, time management, critical thinking, communication and academic writing to support success in further learning and professional development.

    Fundamentals of Quality Assurance

    Covers the basics of quality systems, auditing, regulatory standards, documentation control and essential statistical tools used in quality environments.

    Introduction to Statistics

    Provides practical statistical skills for decision‑making, including data analysis, probability, distributions, sampling, regression and hypothesis testing.

    Operations Management

    Explores how organisations design and manage processes, capacity, supply chains, inventory, scheduling and continuous improvement to achieve operational efficiency.

    Quality Management

    Introduces quality philosophies, improvement tools, Six Sigma concepts, customer focus, problem‑solving methods and strategies for maintaining high service or product standards.

    Professional Development, Career Planning and Work‑Based Learning

    Focuses on career readiness through CV development, interview preparation, emotional intelligence, self‑reflection and building a personal development plan.

    Lean Management

    Develops understanding of Lean and Six Sigma principles, value‑stream mapping, problem‑solving, waste reduction and the DMAIC improvement cycle, preparing learners to support process improvement initiatives.

  • Minimum Entry Requirements

    Mature applicants (i.e., over 23 years)
    or
    Leaving Certificate Grade O6 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish)
    or
    QQI Level 5 – Full award with a minimum of eight modules

  • This programme will be delivered online.

  • Each 5 credits will normally equate to approximately 100 Total Learning Hours. Total Learning Hours includes the time you spend in class (lectures, tutorials, practical elements) and the time you spend completing work outside of college. The balance between these two varies by discipline, and by level of study. You should bear in mind that the workload will increase at particular times e.g. when assignments are due.

  • Graduates of this certificate can enter a wide range of industries — manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food production, logistics, public services, med‑tech and more — in roles focused on quality, operations and efficiency.

    Typical Entry‑Level Roles

    • Quality Technician / Quality Inspector
    • Operations Assistant / Production Support
    • Lean / Continuous Improvement Assistant
    • Process Technician
    • Manufacturing Operative with progression potential
    • Compliance or Document Control Support

    Roles with Experience

    • Quality Coordinator / Quality Lead
    • Production Supervisor / Team Leader
    • Operations Coordinator / Planner
    • Lean Facilitator / CI Technician
    • Process Improvement Specialist

  • This programme will be funded/part-funded by Springboard+ for the academic year 2026/2027.

    This course is expected to open for applications on May 2026 on www.springboardcourses.ie

     

     

    This programme will be fully funded for eligible applicants.

    Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, prioritising Unemployed and Returner applicants (see www.springboardcourses.ie for full details of applicant types).  Applications will be closed once the maximum number of applicants has been reached.

  • This course is expected to open for applications on May 2026 on www.springboardcourses.ie

    This programme will be fully funded for eligible applicants.

    Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, prioritising Unemployed and Returner applicants (see www.springboardcourses.ie for full details of applicant types).  Applications will be closed once the maximum number of applicants has been reached.

  • Operations, Quality and Lean Management (Certificate, Level 6, 60 ECTS)