08 October, 2021

We at MTU Extended Campus were delighted to receive the Workplace Learning Initiative Award in recognition of our Learning Clinics at Cork Celebrates Lifelong Learning Awards 2021!

The Extended Campus was established in 2011 to create and support links between MTU (then CIT), enterprise, and community groups. One of our first initiatives was to support employers and employees in identifying suitable learning and development pathways through our Learning Clinic Service.

The concept behind the Learning Clinic was simple, we wanted to break down the perceived barrier that higher education is only for some, and not for all. The Learning Clinic offers employers the opportunity to have university staff on site to discuss the learning opportunities available to their employees at Munster Technological University.

By bringing the university directly to the company, Learning Clinics provide an informal forum where employees can discuss how they can dip in and out of education when needed, perhaps in response to changing regulatory needs, workplace standards, promotional opportunities or in diversifying a skill set.

“MTU Extended Campus Learning Clinic represents an innovative collaboration aimed at supporting individuals and cohorts of learners in the workplace. The underlying philosophy recognises that all learning is valuable, and that the employer is an important partner in developing flexible and agile pathways to relevant awards.”

 -Professor Irene Sheridan, Head of MTU Extended Campus

Learning Clinics also facilitate employers to identify potential opportunities for their staff in terms of upskilling, reskilling, or up-qualifying through existing MTU programmes or through the development of a customised award, of any credit value, that addresses specific learning needs.

Industry partners who have availed of the Learning Clinic include Boston Scientific Cork and Clonmel, Sanmina, Wright Medical, Laya Healthcare, Amazon, De Puy, Janssen, GE Healthcare and Alcon. Engaging with management to develop the knowledge, skill, and competence of their employees contributes to building a lifelong learning culture within the organisation.

Lifelong learning values all forms of learning including prior academic studies, in-house training and learning through life. MTU’s recognises that mature learners have acquired extensive learning throughout their lives and our Recognition of Prior Learning process facilitates access to programmes, or exemptions within programmes, in all disciplines and at all levels.

“GE Healthcare Cork is a company that is committed to Continuing Professional Development for its employees and has engaged with MTU to develop and up-skill our workforce to meet ongoing customer demands and changes in the marketplace.”

– GE Healthcare

Coordinated by MTU Extended Campus in conjunction with relevant academic departments, our experienced staff are available to visit your workplace, at a time that suits you, to discuss education and training needs, developing tailored courses and Recognition of Prior Learning. Contact us at exended.campusCork@mtu.ie

If you feel your organisation could benefit from a collaboration with MTU students, lecturers or researchers email the Extended Campus at extended.campusCork@mtu.ie to explore your options.

Check out our database of case studies, illustrating previous important industry partnerships by clicking here.

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