Course Summary
The Polymer Immersion Programme for Engineers is an intensive, 10-day training initiative designed to rapidly upskill engineers and technical professionals entering or advancing within the plastics and polymer manufacturing sector. The comprehensive curriculum provides hands-on and theoretical knowledge across core industry pillars: polymer processing (specifically Injection Moulding and Extrusion), materials science, part design, and process validation. Additional days outside of the in person contact, include e-learning, course pre-reading in advance of attending.
Unique to this programme is its focus on immediate career impact and employability. In addition to the technical coursework, participants receive one-on-one career coaching and interview preparation. Subject to availability, the programme also includes a post-course paid work placement to allow engineers to apply their new skills in a real-world manufacturing environment. The course is 100% funded, making it free to attend for eligible applicants.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this 10-day immersion programme, participants will be able to:
- Understand Core Polymer Materials: Identify and differentiate between various plastic materials, understanding their properties, processing behaviours, and selection criteria for specific engineering applications.
- Analyse Processing Technologies: Demonstrate a robust understanding of primary polymer processing methods, with a specific focus on the mechanics, machine operation, and parameters of both Injection Moulding and Extrusion.
- Apply Design Guidelines: Evaluate basic product and mould design principles to ensure efficient manufacturability and to communicate effectively with tooling and technical moulding staff.
- Execute Process Validation: Understand the requirements and methodologies for validating polymer processes, ensuring consistent part quality, compliance, and process stability in a manufacturing setting.
- Troubleshoot Manufacturing Defects: Identify common moulding and extrusion inconsistencies, understand their root causes, and apply logical steps to resolve quality and defect issues.
- Transition into Industry Roles: Leverage personalised career coaching and interview preparation to confidently pursue and secure engineering roles within the polymer sector, utilising the paid work placement to gain practical, on-the-job experience.
Who is the course for
This conversion course is aimed at jobseekers who are recent engineering graduates, unemployed engineers/technical personnel (from traditional engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical, electrical etc.) to provide them with the necessary skills to take up a role in the polymer industry.
Assessment & Accreditation
This programme is a QQI component (minor) award, certified at Level 5 on the national framework of qualifications see www.nfq.ie and is an elective component of major awards.
The assessment is comprised of a written exam and practical assessment (skills demonstration).
