At National College of Ireland we are delighted to offer a number of free fee places under Springboard, the Higher Education initiative for unemployed people.
If you are currently jobseeking and considering a further qualification, Marion’s story could help you to decide.
When Marion Courtney’s position was made redundant from the business membership organisation where she had worked for six years, she took time out to reassess herself and her skills.
Deciding to broaden out her focus, instead of becoming more specialised in her chosen field of Human Resource Management, Marion chose to return to college. As a past student of National College of Ireland she attended an Open Evening at the Dublin based college and learned about the Springboard programme.
“I was interested in international business, and I knew I wanted to develop more internationally oriented skills”, explained the Fermanagh native, who is living in Dublin. “I had spent time working abroad and spoke two languages fluently, so I wanted to focus more on areas like strategy and corporate finance.”
She decided on the Postgraduate Diploma in Management at NCI.
“The financial assistance, as the course was Government funded under Springboard, was a huge help. It was a superb opportunity to broaden my skillset and gain a deeper understanding of business at a strategic level. NCI’s reputation for business and HR was another plus point, and the location and facilities are both excellent.”
The course was invaluable, in terms of both knowledge and networking. “We were a very internationally diverse group. I enjoyed the interaction and learning from the life experience of my fellow students”, Marion said. “I gained different skills and a different outlook, and both contributed to securing my new role.”
Marion is now working in HR for ICBC International Leasing, the aircraft leasing business and subsidiary of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which is leading the international drive of China’s aircraft leasing industry. The Irish subsidiary is ICBC’s first aircraft leasing hub outside of China, following the recent signing in Beijing, of a Memorandum of Understanding between the company, the IDA and the Irish Government.
Marion’s advice to anyone considering a Springboard course is to seize the opportunity with both hands.
“It’s a tremendous chance to develop yourself and your CV, to network with other like-minded students, gain new skills and to refocus on where you want to go in your career.”
Find more information on Springboard on the NCI website.
