GMIT Certificate in Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship to run again

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 Press Office
Press Release

Applications now open for part-time Springboard course designed and delivered by GMIT academics and agri-food entrepreneurs

GMIT’s Certificate in Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship course is set to run once again, commencing 31 January. Funded through the HEA Springboard initiative, the free part-time course is delivered by high-profile entrepreneurs such as Brendan Allen, Castlemine Farms, with input and contributions from course graduates including Ami Madden of Valhalla Meats.

 First delivered in GMIT in 2016, the course is designed for Agri-Food sector workers such as local and regional food producers, rural farmers, food entrepreneurs and the wider agricultural community, where entrepreneurial training has not typically been prioritised. It provides participants with the knowledge and work-based skills required to foster and develop their food ideas into successful businesses, encouraging participants to consider food entrepreneurship as a career.

 Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of the GMIT Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, says: “This course has been developed by a combination of qualified staff in Food Science and Nutrition together with a panel of food entrepreneurs and promotes work-based learning. Interacting with food entrepreneurs provides participants with the opportunity to network with like-minded people, be inspired by their success and learn the reality of setting up and growing a food business. The industry leaders provide mentoring and support to participants throughout the course. Our graduates of the course found the experiential learning environment and interaction with industry an extremely beneficial and rewarding experience.”

Graduate testimonials:

“I had not done anything academically for a long time and worried as to if I could get through it successfully but from signing up to signing off every member of staff was available to help with any queries or issues that I had. You may start off with one idea but as you proceed that may evolve into another because of the innovation from the lectures. They make you feel anything is possible. This course is invaluable, pointing you in a direction you may or may not have decided to go. As a woman also it was important that we were well supported and encouraged on the course in what can sometimes be male dominant industries.” - Ciara Curtin, graduate 2021.

“I really enjoyed the course. I found the Agri Food and Business module a real help to progress my thoughts and ideas into a solid business plan. It was a great forum to chat and exchange ideas. It helped me develop excellent communication skills and made myimpossible’ goals seem possible. I plan to develop my business model further in 2022 and this course has been a great inspiration in empowering me to do this. I would like to thank the lecturers for their encouragement and knowledge, also the companies who came to meet us online. There was a lot of thinking outside the box. Big thanks to GMIT for facilitating our course.” - Jacqueline Jackson, graduate 2021.

 This part-time Certificate (Level 9) will be delivered via blended learning two days per week for sixteen weeks, commencing Monday 31 January. Most of the course will be delivered online, with classroom-based activities for two days every four weeks (approx).

The course commences at GMIT’s Galway campus on Monday, 31 January, 2022. The course is fully funded by the Springboard /HEA programme and is therefore free for those eligible. The cost is €300 for those employed. With only 30 places on offer applicants are encouraged to apply early to avoid disappointment. Applicants must apply for this course through www.springboardcourses.ie

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 25 January, 2022.  For further details on this course in GMIT, please email emma.judge@gmit.ie or visit https://www.gmit.ie/science/certificate-food-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-springboard

 Successful applicants will have access to high level support and mentoring throughout the course together with the opportunity of gaining practical support for business start-ups that will emerge from the programme. Moving away from the traditional style of teaching, this course will take a practice-based, real-world, collaborative approach in its delivery methods.

 Graduates of this programme will possess the skillsets to develop and execute a business concept. They will have a unique awareness of the business creation dynamics and skills required to establish a business in the food or any other sector.

ENDS

Issued by Regina Daly, GMIT Communications & Press Officer, GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway.
0879618355 (m)
regina.daly@gmit.ie   www.gmit.ie/news  www.cualliance.ie