IT Carlow – Defence Forces Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme

IT Carlow/Defence Forces Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme is open to Permanent Defence Forces Veterans.

Five places have been made available to former PDF members who meet the criteria below.

PRE-2012 LMDS RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING SCHEME

Note: This scheme is available only to those who discharged from the Defence Forces at the rank of Sgt or higher (Army & Air corps) who completed all career courses before, and did not complete any career courses since, September 2012.

  • The Leadership Management and Defence Studies (LMDS) programme for enlisted personnel (Army & Air Corps) in IT Carlow commenced in September 2012. Under this programme, enlisted personnel who complete career courses from September 2012 onwards may avail of the opportunity to earn accredited awards from IT Carlow.
  • DF personnel who completed all career courses prior to September 2012, or those who had not completed a career course since September 2012, have to date had no opportunity to engage with the LMDS programme or seek accreditation and validation of their training and education.
  • In consultation with IT Carlow, a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme has been developed to provide this cohort of NCOs with the opportunity to engage with the programme. RPL can be used for access to education, exemption from elements of an academic programme, advanced entry to an academic programme or the awarding of academic credits, either for specific modules or full awards. In order to complete an RPL to gain credits or awards, students must demonstrate how they have achieved the minimum learning outcomes associated with the award. This can include a written submission by the student, where through reflection, they must explain how and when they have achieved these outcomes.
  • The RPL programme provides personnel with the opportunity to earn one (I) of two (2) awards through completion of the following academic processes: a. RPL leading to a·Level 7 Minor Award in LMDS (30 ECTS at Level 7): This award is open to NCOs of Sgt rank who had completed their All Arms Standard Course (or equivalent) prior to September 2012 and have completed no further career courses (Senior NCO or Logistics equivalent). Personnel will be required to demonstrate that, through non-validated DF training and education and through work-based learning, they have achieved tl1e learning outcomes associated with the All Arms Standard Course and a relevant Corps  Standard Course. This RPL will be comprised of the following:

i. Appointment of an IT Carlow RPL coordinator. Students may avail of facilitation meetings with their coordinator.

ii. All students will complete a one (1) day academic writing workshop, delivered by IT Carlow.

iii. All students must complete an RPL portfolio. Students should be prepared to commit to completion of the RPL over a minimum of four (4) month duration.

b. RPL Portfolio and Dissertation/Research Paper leading to a BA LMDS or BA LMDS (Logistics) Award (60 ECTS at Level 7) for those NCOs of CS/FS, CQMS/FQMS rank or higher who had completed their Senior NCO Course or Logistics equivalent course pre-2012. Personnel will be required to demonstrate that, through non-validated DF training and education and through work-based learning, they have achieved their learning outcomes associated with the All Arms Standard Course and a relevant Corps Standard Course and a Senior NCO Course or Logistics equivalent course. This will be comprised of the following:

i. RPL Portfolio:

(I) Appointment of an IT Carlow RPL coordinator. Students may avail of facilitation meetings with their coordinator.

(2) All students will complete a one (I) day academic writing workshop, delivered by IT Carlow.

(3) All students must complete an RPL portfolio. Students should be prepared to commit to completion of the RPL over a minimum of a four (4) month duration.

ii. Research/Dissertation Paper:

(1) Will be completed subsequent and in addition to the RPL Portfolio.

(2) All students will complete a one (l) week research methods block of instruction, delivered by IT Carlow. During this, students will begin to prepare a research proposal.

(3) All students will complete a 5,000 word research dissertation.

A general leadership topic (non-DF) may be considered but ideally should relate to responsibilities while serving. This research will be conducted in line with IT Carlow policy and proposed dissertation topics must be approved for development. IT Carlow dissertation Supervisors will be appointed and timelines will be set by the Extended Campus office. Students should be prepared to commit to the completion of the dissertation over a minimum of a six (6) month duration.

  • Qualifying Criteria:

a. Army & Air Corps NCO of minimum Sgt rank on date of discharge.

b. Must have completed career courses prior to September 2012:

i. Up to All Arms Standard NCO (or Equivalent) course for those NCOs of Sgt rank;

ii. Up to Senior NCO course or Logistics Accountancy Course Module I and 2 for CS/FS, CQMS/FQMS or higher rank.

  • Due to supervisor requirements and the capacity to support this project, places for 2022 will be initially limited to five (5) retired personnel. J1 Branch will be consulted to confirm retirement dates supplied by applicants. Further iterations of this scheme will be launched later in 2022 and the list of applicants will remain live for this and future schemes.
  • Personnel wishing to apply to avail of this opportunity should complete the application form in Annex A.
  • The cost of this scheme is €1000 for students undertaking the Level 7 BA LMDS (Senior NCO) and €700 for students completing the Level 7 Minor Award (Sgt). This fee is payable to IT Carlow.
  • All applications should be submitted to the Extended Campus.

Address:
Extended Campus,
Institute of Technology Carlow,
Kilkenny Road,
Carlow

The application form and the signed terms and conditions are here.