Empowering the Workforce of the Future
Research shows that for graduates to thrive in today’s workplace, they need clear career direction, strong managerial support, and the ability to build communication skills and resilience.
At Ibec Academy, we understand that graduates are values-driven professionals who seek a strong work/life balance while making a meaningful impact in their careers.
With over 35 years of experience in graduate development, our Graduate Development Programme is designed to equip participants with the essential skills to succeed. Tailored to meet your business needs, the programme is accredited in partnership with TU Dublin, providing professional development qualification for your graduates.
Why Choose Ibec Academy?
Real-World Business Impact
Graduates work on a live business project, applying their skills in a practical setting and gaining hands-on experience that directly benefits their career growth and the business
Comprehensive Skills
The programme develops key competencies in leadership, communication, resilience, commercial awareness and work ready skills, with additional training available for managers to help them manage and lead the graduates in their teams
Professional Qualification for your People
Graduates receive a recognised university award from TU Dublin, that enhances their career prospects
Future Leadership Roles
We work with you to ensure the programme design reflects business priorities, positioning your graduates for future leadership roles
Key Areas of Development
Commercial Awareness
Understand the broader business landscape, hybrid
working and market dynamics
Leadership & Decision-Making
Build confidence to take the initiative and lead with impact
Communication & Collaboration
Strengthen interpersonal skills for workplace success
and strong relationships
Time & Performance Management
Enhance efficiency and effectiveness in professional settings
Ibec Academy
We know Graduates
Programme Schedule
Module 1
Professional Competence / Commercial Awareness
- Understand the fundamentals of strategic planning
- Tools for strategic planning
- Practical strategies that work
- Developing insights and
- tools to build awareness in these key areas
- Esg and it’s impact today
- Understand the priorities within the business
Module 2
Leadership and Employee Engagement
- Personal style of leadership
- Building your strengths
- Power and values when leading others
- What kind of leader are you?
- Leadership in today’s world
- AI and it’s impact and potential
- Peer coaching
Module 3
Communication and Influencing
- Your style as a communicator
- Practical approaches to communication and understanding human behaviour
- Insights into power and influencing others
- Being heard and building empathy
- Emotional intelligence
Module 4
Team Working
- Practical approaches to team working
- Getting the best from others
- Your own style when working with different personalities
- How to become a high performing team
- Stages of team development
- Contributing to a high performing team
Module 5
Project Management
- Fundamentals of project management
- Tools for project management that really work
- Your approach to projects
- Key skills to build
- Action planning
- Key do’s and dont’s
Module 6
Performance & People
- Understanding how and why people perform as they do
- Maintaining your energy and drive
- Personal performance drivers and planning for
- success
- Differences in others and getting the best from those you work with
- Building on your key strengths
Module 7
Time Management, Assertiveness & Conflict
- A practical time management approach that you can apply
- Prioritising and building a results focus in how you work
- Assertiveness and handling conflict
- Adapting your style to the person and situation
- Focusing on building relationships and collaboration
Module 8
Motivation
- Approaches to motivation and how to apply them
- Identifying key motivators and demotivators
- Understanding individual differences
- Getting the best from yourself and others
- Motivation in a hybrid world
Module 9
Presentation Skills
- Developing powerful presentation skills
- Designing your presentation for maximum impact
- Adapting your message to ensure it makes an impact
- Building your own style as a communicator
Module 10
Financial Skills
- Understanding fundamental accounting concepts
- Cash flow and P/L
- Reading the figures and what they mean in a real way
- Gaining confidence in this key area of the business
Module 11
Decision Making
- Approaches to decision making
- Understanding human behaviour in this area
- Identifying your personal style
- A toolkit for making decisions in the future
- Making decisions among hybrid teams
Module 12
Communication and Influencing
- Personality profiling to identify your strengths
- Self awareness and building confidence
- Building your style based on strengths
- Attitude and developing resilience
- Diversity and inclusion
Business Improvement Project
Individual Assignment
Work on a real project from within the business, applying the learning and suggesting a way forward.
Assessment: Open/Closed Book Exam 60%
Project: (3,500-5,000 Words) 30%
Learning Journal/Personal Development Plan: 10%
Case Study: Business Improvement Project in Action
Benefits to the Business
- Provides senior management with insights into how those in their early careers would look at a current challenge, suggesting a new way forward.
- Fosters innovative thinking, enhances problem-solving within the organisation, and equips graduates with practical skills to identify and implement impactful business improvements.
Benefits to the Graduate
- Engaging with real scenarios builds confidence, sharpens collaboration skills and fosters a proactive mindset—essential qualities for professional growth and leadership in any organisation
- Develops problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills, while gaining real world business insights and confidence in driving improvements.
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Customer Testimonials
Our 2-year Graduate Programme nurtures talent, fosters fresh perspectives, and builds a pipeline of future leaders. A key element is the 6-month Ibec Diploma in Professional Competence, which broadens graduates’ business and leadership insights, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to transition into more expansive roles.
Anne Smith
Group Head of Talent, Lakeland Dairies
"We have enjoyed working on several programmes with Ibec focused on professional development at various levels, from our graduates to managers. The course customisation and consultations ensure that we are targeting competencies and skills that are aligned with our values and business objectives and delivered in a meaningful way to our team."
Taylor Hanson
Training & Development Coordinator, Glenveagh Properties
"We really value the partnership that we have formed with Ibec Academy to develop forward thinking and inspired graduates.
It has been an incredible benefit for our graduates from networking with their fellow CRH colleagues to developing key management skills, all the while being guided by seasoned experts from Ibec
Academy.”
Aoife Newman
HR Graduate Manager, Roadstone Ltd
Participant Testimonials
“The Diploma in Professional Competence really helped to develop the skills it takes to become an effective leader. As a result of these learnings, I now have the confidence to influence others as well as being able to understand how to reach objectives through proper team planning and organisations”.
Alvin Johnson
Production Graduate, North Cork Creameries
Meet the Team
Fintan Ryan
As a qualified Life & Business Coach, Fintan has over 28 years experience in designing and facilitating training and development courses and coaching Individuals and Teams at all levels in a variety of organisations. He is one of the most experienced Facilitators of experiential programmes in Ireland having worked with teams and individuals since 1989.
He also has a wealth of experience in delivering developmental courses on a wide range of subjects to different audiences and therefore makes every learning experience relevant to the work environment. His style of delivery is challenging, inspirational and results focused.
Matthew Tye
Matthew, with extensive industry experience, transitioned from operational management to learning and development, joining Ibec in 2007. He has a strong reputation for delivering impactful graduate programmes.
Known for challenging early-career professionals, he helps them build on strengths, unlock leadership potential, and achieve breakthrough results through insightful questioning and tailored development initiatives.
Elevate your Graduate Talent
Lets design a programme that aligns with your business needs and empowers your graduates.
Contact us today to discuss how Ibec Academy can support your organisation in developing the next generation of leaders.
Our clients
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