Extended Campus creates and supports collaboration to Employers and Community between CIT and Enterprise Learning Case Study CIT : School of Business Partner: Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) and Munster Rugby Engagement Type: Customised Learning Solutions Solution: Certificate in Enterprise Potential Off-Pitch Business Potential for Munster Rugby Players “In delivering the CIT, IRUPA and Munster Rugby recognised Exploring Business Viability the need to develop the skills of rugby course, all parties Communication Practice players outside the sport, particularly, in the worked together in area of business. To serve this need a Management in Action terms of tapping into ‘Certificate in Enterprise Potential’ was Finance and Tax for Business the wider network of developed. The modules were delivered by CIT lecturing entrepreneurs, The Need staff and invited guest lectures on specialist business support topics on a flexible part time basis ( 3 hours per agencies and IRUPA and Munster Rugby aim to promote and week) to fit with the Munster players’ rugby protect the welfare of their members by professionals to cater training and match schedules. endeavoring to safeguard their futures both on for the needs of the and off the pitch. With this in mind, IRUPA Challenges group. “ approached CIT to develop an enterprise and One of the main challenges was to make the business focused course. course flexible enough to work around the The Solution players’ availability and within the scheduling Dr Breda Kenny, constraints of both the training and match CIT’s School of Business in conjunction with Programme Coordinator sessions at a provincial and a national level. IRUPA and Munster Rugby, designed, developed CIT. and delivered a 30 week 20 credit Special Purpose Award entitled ‘Certificate in Enterprise Potential’. The aim of the course is to provide participants with the skills to understand how an enterprise operates and the steps involved in turning an idea into a business opportunity. On completion of the course, participants will be sufficiently well informed to consider self-employment as a career option. Frank O’Donovan with Munster players The content and structure of the course was Critical Success Factors designed specifically around the needs of the To be a success, this course needed to meet a players. The course comprised four 5 credit number of criteria. The course content needed modules as follows: T: +353 (0)21 4326017 E: [email protected] 2013 W: www.cit.ie/extendedcampus to focus on the practical application of the pitch business and enterprise interests of the concepts in each of the modules. This practical Rugby community. Having successfully delivered nature allowed participants to develop their own this course to the first cohort of players, CIT can individual skills and to understand their own now look to deliver this to a new cohort as well strengths in relation to entrepreneurship. as developing a progression course for those that want to build on their business and enterprise A key element of the course was to build up a “This course was skills. network of both entrepreneurs and business fantastic for building support contacts for the players. Ernst & Young contacts, and meeting Entrepreneur of the Year finalists attended a business owners was a ‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ workshop. real insight. The Players also got the chance to spend time at the information and Rubicon Centre to meet and mingle with the staff speakers on pensions, and entrepreneurs based there. investments and In order to achieve the learning outcomes, the franchising was quality of the lecturing staff and speakers were Programme Coordinator and lecturer Dr. Breda important considerations in the delivery of the Kenny with a selection of students on the really beneficial.” programme. course. Lecturers and speakers with expertise and This collaboration aptly demonstrates the practical experience in the relevant areas were used across the entire course. benefits of building a customised learning Donnacha Ryan, solution to suit the needs of an organisation. To Benefits of the Engagement explore customised learning solutions for your Munster Rugby This course strengthens the existing link between organisation or community group contact us on CIT and Munster Rugby by focusing on the off the 021 4326017 or [email protected]. Who’s Who CIT, School of Business and Heineken Cup competitions. It is also responsible for the development of the amateur The CIT School of Business delivers courses and and age grade game in the province. It is a not for research in a number of areas including accounting, profit sporting organisation with all income information systems, management and marketing. generated being reinvested in rugby. The School of Business is a constituent school of the Faculty of Business and Humanities. The School of Munster Rugby, Musgrave Park, Business consists of the following Departments: Ballyphehane, Cork Accounting and Information Systems T: 021 4323564 Management and Marketing www.munsterrugby.ie Continuing Education Head of School: Gerard O'Donovan IRUPA T:+353-(0)21-4335480 IRUPA is a non profit making organisation owned E: [email protected] by the players for the players. IRUPA aims to pro- mote and protect the welfare of our members by endeavouring to safeguard their futures both on Munster Rugby and off the pitch. Telephone: 01 6769680 Munster Rugby is a rugby union organisation, that competes professionally in the RaboDirect PRO12 Website: www.irupa.ie T: +353 (0)21 4326017 E: [email protected] W: www.cit.ie/extendedcampus 2013 .