In partnership with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and South East Technological University (SETU) have combined their expertise in electrical engineering to co-develop and co-deliver an innovative 60 credit Level 6 programme to meet the changing needs of the industry.
The High Voltage Electrical Systems course is designed to upskill electricians and electrical engineers in the highly specialised area of High Voltage and aims to develop industry-recognised competence in areas such as High Voltage electrical installations, grid connections, substation maintenance and switching facilities.
Ireland’s electricity grid infrastructure has grown dramatically in recent years with the increase of large consumers of energy including large industry, data centres and the substantial growth in renewable energy provision.
The South East Regional Skills Forum identified this training need and facilitated the establishment of a consortium to investigate and ultimately develop the new programme.
According to Edmond Connolly, South East Regional Skills Forum Manager, “The specialised electrical contractors involved in the construction of such facilities acknowledged that they needed further specialised training for their staff working on high voltage electrical installations.
“This new qualification will help companies build their capacity to construct and manage high voltage facilities and also enable them to win new contracts abroad.”
Head of Department Electrical & Electronic Engineering TUS, Tony Mahon said
“This programme emphasises once again the strong engagement TUS and the TU sector continues to have with industry in the region.
Programmes like this High Voltage Electrical Systems course are driven industry needs and the development of this programme demonstrates the TU ethos of working together within the sector to deliver for our regions. The flexibility of the programme also allows workers to upskill and remain work ready in an ever-changing environment.”
Key to the development of the new programme was the involvement of the Construction Industry Federation’s Specialist Contraction Association which brought together Ireland’s leading electrical engineering firms who contributed to the design of the programme.
Head of Faculty at SETU and project manager for the programme, Dr Frances Hardiman said, “It has been a valuable experience working with a strong industry consortium and TUS to co-develop and deliver a bespoke work-based learning programme that utilises specialist skills in High Voltage from multiple sources, demonstrating the need for collaboration to deliver on the future skills agenda in engineering”.
The programme is jointly delivered by SETU and TUS in a part-time, blended learning mode over one year – summer to summer. It utilises a work-based model and will have 30 per cent of credits achieved in the participants’ place of work.
The programme commences in May 2023 with 16 employees from industry who will attend one day per week at TUS Limerick during the second semester and SETU Waterford during the first semester. Additional online classes will be delivered as well as a significant work-based learning module assisting candidates apply the theory learned to the workplace.