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For students pursuing the full Certificate, this is an intensive nine month programme providing comprehensive coverage of the identification of training needs of the unemployed through the application of formal needs analysis processes within a supportive and counselling framework. The student will acquire a sound understanding of the role of employment to an individual’s identity and standing in society. Key trends in occupations in Ireland are examined in unison with an appreciation for the current and projected future contexts.

Modules (30 credits):

Year 1 Modules:

• AD1005: Employment and Unemployment (10 credits)
  · The role of employment and societal perceptions of unemployment
  · Occupations and job families - related constructs
  · Categories of unemployment and related demographics
  · Trends of employment and unemployment in Ireland
  · Functions of work
  · Work Ethic and Identity
  · Individual and social processes in employment and unemployment
  · Stages of Unemployment
  · Health impacts of unemployment - psychological and physical states.
  · Unemployment impact analysis
  · Living with uncertainty.
• AD1006: Assessment and Needs Analysis (10 credits)
  · Working with a client - principles of engagement and assessment
  · Defining Needs Analysis and the role of assessment within
  · Forms of assessment - techniques and tools to support self-discovery and need identification
  · The cycle of analysis
  · Conducting a Job/Context analysis with a client
  · Sources of information for analysis
  · Identifying future occupational targets - job families
  · Gap analysis (between Job and future occupational target) and identifying appropriate learning opportunities
  · Drafting a personal/career development plan
  · Identifying appropriateness of delivery modes and methodologies of targeted learning interventions
  · Engaging the client with targeted learning/ training needs
  · Preparing for the evaluation the impact of intervention in meeting learning/career needs.
• AD1007: Counselling and Support Skills for Career Decision Making (10 credits)
  · An introduction to counselling approaches and process
  · Listening and Questioning Skills
  · Enabling client expression and reflection
  · Sources of Support and coping skills
  · The role of social support
  · Career Planning and Career Management
  · Stages of career maturity
  · Identifying a personalised action plan
  · Preparation for re-entry into the workforce - dealing with structure, routine, reporting relationships and life impacts.
  · Ethics.

The programme is assessed through continuous assessment (comprising of practical assignments/essays/presentations). There is a requirement to produce a Client Needs Analysis Report (7,000 words). Students are required to conduct a ‘real life’ needs assessment and feedback session with a client (under the supervision of the teaching team).