Knowledge Economy Skills Passport

KESP – The Knowledge Economy Skills Passport.

This is an innovative learning programme and its Blended learning delivery combines the best of instructor led and e-learning (Electronic learning).

Background

The KESP course has been developed by the National College of Ireland [http://www.ncirl.ie] in strategic partnership with FÁS [http://www.fas.ie] the Irish national training authority. It a blended learning Programme, combining tutor led sessions with e-learning software. The e-learning software was developed by a co-operative of four of Ireland's e-learning companies Thirdforce plc, Intuition, Servecast and WBT Systems.

The KESP programme is designed for learning in the workplace where employers support the learning by enabling key concepts to be applied on the job. The programme is currently being undertaken by a number of learners across Ireland.

KESP learners engage with rich multimedia interactive learning materials, live and online tutors and internet mediated learning projects. And if learners have portable handheld audio or media players (like iPods, 3G phones, or PDAs-Personal digital assistants) they can download audio and video clips to play anytime anywhere.

Satisfactory completion of the course will lead to a qualification recognised by HETAC.

Course Structure and Module Content

Course Modules

There are 5 modules in the KESP programme consisting of the following: 1) What is the Knowledge Economy? 2) Information and Knolwledge in the Knowledge Economy. 3) Innovation in the Knowledge Economy. 4) Business Fundamentals in the Knowledge Economy. 5) Intrapreneuship and Entrapreneurship in the Knowledge Economy.

Innovation in the Financial Industry (a submission to module 3)

One of the major innovations in the Finance Industries over the last few years would be the advent of Telephone and Online banking. In recent years various Financial Institutions have created the ability to apply for various products online including Credit Cards, Personal Loans, Overdraft facilities, and to even get approval in Principal for a Mortgage online!

The Financial Institutions in Ireland have created extremely slick and streamlined websites that are very ergonomically friendly, in order to encourage their Customer to perform vastly more banking tasks at home, which allows the customer to take more responsibility for their own banking affairs, and also reduces costs for the Institution as it should reduce the need for as many bank staff and indeed branches. This has led a drive to amalgamate and indeed close many branches.

On the back of the recent Government Savings Accounts (SSIA-Special Savings Incentive Account), most Irish Financial Institutions have launched large campaigns to encourage their customers to continue saving, offering various packages and interest rates.

Financial Institutions have found that they have had to become a lot more customer-focussed in light of new arrivals from across the shores. An example of this would be studying customer’s current accounts, if they have a direct debit for a Mortgage, for example, and the mortgage is not with the Institution in question, they may approach the customer to try to obtain their mortgage business also. Banks have introduced various tailored products to suit various different types of customers, such as Investors, First Time Buyers, etc.

Chip and Pin is a recently introduced product, (17th March 2007) which is a bid to improve security for face-to-face Credit Card transactions, and reduce fraudulence.

Participant Profiles

To participate in KESP, learners need:

To range from 18 to 65 years Be in employment Have a Leaving Cert or equivalent knowledge Have basic PC software skills (can use mouse and Windows XP/2000 GUI) To be English speaking (though not necessarily first language) Learners with little or no concept of the knowledge economy will benefit most.

Its blended learning delivery combines the best of instructor led and elearning. KESP learners engage with rich multimedia interactive learning materials, live and online tutors and internet mediated learning projects. And if learners have portable handheld audio or media players (like iPods, 3G phones, or PDAs) they can download audio and video clips to play anytime anywhere.

kills gained from the course

Articles

External links