PLC Student Handbook

2016-2017

Level 6 Business (6M4985)

Level 6

Business 6M4985

STUDENT HANDBOOK

2016 – 2017

Principals’ Address

Welcome to the PLC FETAC Level 6 Business Programme presented by Roscommon Community College.

This programme is designed to provide you with all the necessary skills to work in a competitive business

environment. Your course will focus on personal and business development and give you proficiency in the

theoretical areas of Business management as well as in the technical areas of Spreadsheets, Word

Processing and Computerised Accounts.

As part of your course the Work Experience module will facilitate you in putting the theoretical business

skills into practice in a work place of your choosing. Many students find this module particularly helpful in

gaining part or full time employment after graduation. It also assists learners in making further education

and career choices.

This course will be run over one year and as such excellent attendance is critical. Ensuring that you do the

tasks and projects as they come on stream is also important because the volume of work is high and it is

very easy to fall behind. If you are experiencing any difficulties please inform your facilitator,

immediately, as provision may be put in place to support you.

The College will endeavour to facilitate you at the end of your course in relation to employment suggestions

or progression routes to Third Level Institutions. Please do not hesitate to use the services of the career

guidance teacher and the expertise of the other tutors on your programme to assist you on your journey with

us this academic year.

Enjoy your year with us and the very best of luck in your educational endeavours!

Dr. Frank Chambers

Principal

Roscommon Community College

Mission Statement

We, at Roscommon Community College, aim to provide a quality academic, practical, social

and spiritual education for our student, suited to their needs and abilities in a warm, caring

and friendly environment.

We also wish to foster mutual respect between students and staff and instil in our students a

sense of self-discipline and community

Level 6 Business Tutors

Denise Staunton (Marketing Management, Business Management)

(PLC Coordinator)

Paul Conroy (Work Experience)

Career’s Guidance

Emer Carolan (Spreadsheets, Word Processing and Computerised Accounts)

Emma Shanley (Communications, Team Leadership)

Serena Slevin-Joyce (Business Management)

Overview of Business Level 6 (6M4985) Modules

Learners are required to complete all of the following 8 modules, in order to receive their QQI Award and

FETAC Level 6 Certification. Where a learner has already completed one or more of the modules below, at

level 6, they may apply for an exemption and may not be required to retake those modules. All component

certificates may be combined on completion of all 8 credits.

Module Name: Business Management

Module Code: 6N4310

Level: 6

Credit Value: 15 Credits

Tutor Name: Denise Staunton/Serena Slevin-Joyce

Overview of this module:

This module aims to provide learners with knowledge and understanding of the role and function of

management in the business environment, in addition to developing effective management skills.

Assessment:

Assessment of this module will be as follows:

Assignment 1 – 20%

Assignment 2 – 20%

Project – 60%

Module Name: Work Experience

Module Code: 6N1946

Level: 6

Credit Value: 15 Credits

Tutor Name: Paul Conroy

Overview of this module:

This module aims to provide a learner with a comprehensive range of skills with detailed theoretical

understanding of a general supervisory nature of the work placement in a specific vocational area.

Assessment:

Assessment of this module will be as follows:

Collection of work – 60%

Skills demonstration – 40%

Module Name: Word Processing

Module Code: 6N4977

Level: 6

Credit Value: 15 Credits

Tutor Name: Emer Carolan

Overview of this module:

This programme module aims to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills and competence, to use a word

processing application to produce complex documents within a range of specific contexts working

independently and or taking responsibility for the work of others.

Assessment:

Assessment of this module will be as follows:

Portfolio/Collection of work – 100%

Module Name: Spreadsheets

Module Code: 6N4089

Level: 6

Credit Value: 15 Credits

Tutor Name: Emer Carolan

Overview of this module: This programme module aims to equip the learner with an in-depth working knowledge, advanced skills

and competence to create and modify spreadsheets using a wide range of advanced spreadsheet features and

working independently or within a supervisory capacity.

Assessment:

Assessment of this module will be as follows:

Project - 60%

Examination – Practical - 40%

Module Name: Communications

Module Code: 6N1950

Level: 6

Credit Value: 15 credits

Tutor: Emma Shanley

Overview of module:

This module aims to facilitate the learner to acquire excellent communication skills which will enable active

and effective participation in vocational and personal life.

Assessment

Assessment of this module will be as follows:

Skills demonstration 50 %

Collection of work 50%

Module Name: Team Leadership

Module Code: 6N1948

Level: 6

Credit Value: 15 Credits

Tutor Name: Emma Shanley

Overview of this module:

The module aims to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to work as an effective

leader and member of a team, independently and/or in a supervisory capacity.

Assessment:

Assessment of this module will be as follows:

Skills demonstration: 50%

Collection of Work: 50%

Module Name: Marketing Management

Module Code: 6N4188

Tutor: Denise Staunton

Level: 6

Credit Value: 15 Credits

Main Aim: The module is designed to enable learners to analyse, evaluate and critically apply the principles and

practices of marketing in a work place context.

General Aims

Learners who successfully complete this module will:

1. Be competent in the principals of marketing concepts.

2. Have detailed knowledge of the various marketing environments that organisations operate in.

3. Be able to apply the various marketing strategies and the marketing mix to a work place scenario.

4. Have a comprehensive understanding of the impact which global and ethical issues have on

marketing decision making

The specific learning outcomes are grouped into 5 units.

Unit 1 Marketing Concepts

Unit 2 The Environment

Unit 3 Strategies in Marketing

Unit 4 The Marketing Mix

Unit 5 Global and Ethical Issues

Assessment:

Assessment of this module will be as follows:

Project 60%

Examination (Theory Based) 40%

Module Name: Computerised Accounts

Module Code: 6N3911

Tutor: Emer Carolan

Level: 6

Credit Value: 15 Credits

Main Aim: This programme module aims to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills and competence to input, edit and

analyse financial data and to produce reports using a computerised accounts package in the accounts department of an

organisation.

General Aims:

Learners who successfully complete this module will:

1 Learn to load a computerised accounts package and set up organisation parameters

2 Acquire the knowledge and skills to process accounting information and adjustments into a

computerised accounts package

3 Export data from an accounts package to a spreadsheet to produce relevant management reports

4 Acquire the ability to analyse managements reports

5 Develop the academic and vocational language, literacy and numeracy skills related to

Computerised Accounts through the medium of the indicative content

Assessment

Assessment of this module will be as follows:

Examination - Practical 60%

Project 40%

Work Experience

Please note the following in relation to Work Experience:

Work Experience Dates: Monday 6th February - Friday 17th February 2016.

While learners are responsible for arranging their own work experience placement, every effort will be

made by your tutor to assist you in this task. Learners are requested to finalise their work experience before

Friday, 26th November 2016.

It is advised that your work experience be in the Business sector or an area of vocational interest.

Attendance

On commencing this FETAC Level 6 Business course, it is important to be aware of the intensive nature of

the course and the considerable amount of your time which will be necessary during the academic year

ahead. Your full commitment is required in order to achieve success in this course.

Progress requires 100% attendance at all modules (exceptional circumstances withstanding) and therefore a

minimum attendance of 95% is required in order to attain certification. This equates to a maximum of 8.35

days absent.

In the event of any absenteeism, the following should be noted:

Medical certs are required if absent for more than 3 consecutive days.

Obtain any module tasks missed from classmates, and continue with tasks at home, if possible.

PLC Co-ordinator should be notified by email or phone the school secretary in advance or on the

morning of the absenteeism.

Notify tutor in the case of a known absenteeism and arrangements can be made to ensure you do not

fall behind.

Exams / Continuous Assessment

Final Exams take place in the following subjects: Spreadsheets

Marketing Management

Computerised Accounts

Module Assessments will be set by tutors during the year. Your individual tutors will advise on these

dates. Modules with final exams will be held during week: Monday 8th May until Friday 12th May.

NOTE: Individual tutors will advise on date should a change be necessary with exam times and duration

prior to exam period.

Continuous Assessment and Portfolios form an integral part of this course. It is advisable to adhere to all

deadlines for the submission of projects, reports etc. as marks may be deducted for late submissions.

Course Fees

Book Rental/use of printer: €50.00

Department of Education & Skills Fee: €200.00

QQI-Fetac Exam Fee: €80.00

* Note: Students with medical cards are exempt from paying the QQI-FETAC Exam fee and the Dept. of Education & Skills fee.

NOTE: Exam fees: €80 QQI-FETAC exam fee is payable before 30th November 2016.

Submission of Work / Late Penalties

In order to maintain the integrity of your FETAC Certification, it is necessary to have a strict procedure in

place for the submission of students work tasks. Students will be given a due date for each piece of work to

be completed, by the tutor. On submission, the student and tutor must sign and date “Task Submission

Sheet”. Work which is not handed up by this date, will be subject to penalties as follows:

1% penalty for each day which the work is late.

Assignments will not be accepted if failure to submit work exceeds 5 days.

After 5 days, the work will not be accepted and marks for the specific assignment will be lost.

The due time of submission is 1.00pm on the date. Any work submitted after this time will be deemed to be

a late submission.

Extenuating Circumstances

Due to the professional nature of this programme, students are required to complete all tasks and exams for

each module. When extenuating circumstances arise, you should contact the Course Co-ordinator, giving

only as little information as is necessary to explain your situation.

Depending on your circumstances, special arrangements will be put in place to facilitate the completion of

your module(s). You should also complete an Extenuating Circumstances Form with relevant

documentation.

Progression from Fetac Level 6 to 3rd Level College

Successful students of FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Business course at Roscommon Community

College may apply to Athlone Institute of Technology or Galway Mayo Institute of Technology to gain

exemption from first year in a selection of their business courses and proceed directly into second year of

that course. It is advisable to contact the course co-ordinator or Admissions Officer of the individual

colleges to gain further information on entry into second year of specific courses.

On completion of your FETAC Level 6 course, you may also apply to any 3rd Level College, through the

CAO system, using your results obtained. The following is a breakdown of the points awarded for grades

scored in FETAC Level 6 modules through the CAO system.

Pass: 20 points

Merit: 35 points

Distinction: 50 points

The best 8 modules are counted, with a maximum of 400 points obtainable. For more details on this and

CAO applications, contact Work Experience Tutor / Career Guidance councillor.

All FETAC

awards are

part of the

National

Framework of

Qualifications

(NFQ). This

ensures that

your award is

nationally and

internationally

recognised

and that the

award can

create further

learning

opportunities

for you.

Plagiarism Policy

Definition:

“Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another persons’ work, by reproducing, without

acknowledgement, of the work of others”

“Collusion is a form of plagiarism involving unauthorised co-operation between at least two people with

the intent to deceive”.

Roscommon Community College, along with Galway Roscommon ETB, QQI and FETAC takes allegations

of plagiarism or collusion very seriously. Students who plagiarise or collude threaten and devalue the

integrity of the QQI FETAC awards, whether or not plagiarism or collusion is intentional. Where

plagiarism or collusion is suspected, the following procedure shall be followed:

1. Suspecting tutor will complete a “Suspected Plagiarism Form”, gather the relevant pieces of work

and present them to the course coordinator.

2. The course coordinator will arrange a meeting with the student(s) to discuss the suspicion of

plagiarism and analyse the work.

3. A meeting will be held with PLC tutor team and where relevant, QA officer in Roscommon VEC, to

decide on penalty or punishment. Penalties may include:

Requesting the student to re-submit the piece of work, applying a percentage penalty on marks,

Exclusion of the relevant piece of work from marking scheme, or

Complete exclusion of the student from the relevant module.

How to avoid plagiarism or collusion

When completing coursework, follow the following simple steps to avoid any suspicion of plagiarism in

your work:

Do not simply copy and paste from websites, on-line encyclopaedias or any electronic media.

Always rewrite the idea in your own words, do not just replace or rearrange just a few words.

Whenever you quote, summarize or paraphrase, you must acknowledge the original source.

Put in quotation marks everything that comes directly from a text and reference the source.

Save your own work in a safe and secure place, to ensure other students do not have access to it.

Upon the submission of any assessment piece you must sign the Authorship Statement attached to

the brief, declaring ownership of the work.

Adult Education PLC Classroom/ICT Lab

PLC classes timetabled for the PLC Room have priority in its occupancy. Please be mindful of the

following when in this room:

An atmosphere conducive to work will be maintained at all times.

The College will endeavour to provide printing facilities where possible.

Dress Code The QQI Level 6 is a third level stepping stone and therefore NO uniform applies. PLC learners are

expected to be suitably dressed to attend a further education course aimed at securing employment as a

professional and therefore should take into account all present.

Mobile Phone use

While it is recognised that many students may need to be contactable during the course of the school day,

we would ask that consideration be shown to classmates and tutors at all times and the following practices

may be adopted:

Phones to remain on silent during class time

Phone calls to be answered outside classroom door and out of earshot of classmates

Study facilities

FETAC Level 6 Business is a highly academic and intensive course requiring much individual effort and

study on behalf of the student. For this reason, individual study and research opportunities are provided for

on your timetable from 1.00 pm until 3.30 pm in the PLC ICT lab. Roscommon Library is also an ideal

environment for study and research offering an atmosphere conducive to study, as well as facilities for

research and computer work, should you not be in a position to do this in your own home.

FETAC Learner Charter

FETAC formally recognises learning by making relevant quality assured awards at Levels 1-6 of the National Framework of Qualifications. Meeting learner needs is central to the work of FETAC. FETAC will strive to:

Make world-class awards that open up opportunities personally, socially, in education, training and employment

Make sure our awards are relevant to current and future economic and social needs

Promote our awards, nationally and internationally, with employers and other stakeholders

Promote progression through the National Framework of Qualifications

Promote equality of opportunity and the recognition of the diversity of learner groups

Publish relevant and clear information about awards and programmes through our website

Recognise learning – regardless of how or where it is achieved

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programmes, courses and services, including learner

feedback, so as to maintain and improve quality

Make sure that all major awards may be achieved in parts so that learning can be achieved at an appropriate time and pace

Make sure that assessment is fair and consistent

Require providers to give learners high-quality, accessible information about the programme,

services and associated FETAC awards, Issue certificates when awards are achieved, frequently and responsively

Consult with learners in the development and review of policies, awards and our service

Deal with queries, correspondence and complaints in a professional, consistent and timely manner

GALWAY ROSCOMMON EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARD

Exceptional Circumstances Form

This form is to be completed if a student has any exceptional circumstances in relation to the hand in,

or completion or, student work.

Notice to student – Please complete the information below and attach any relevant or supporting

details or documents, including medical certificates.

Centre:

Name of Student:

Address:

Telephone Number:

Details of Circumstances:

Signed: Date:

Exceptional Circumstances Granted Yes No Date:

(please give reasons on back of form)

Co-Ordinator/Director Notified Yes No Date:

Signature:

________________________ _______________________ Date: ________

Co-Ordinator Tutor

PLC QQI Level 6 Business 2016-2017

Day Time Subject Teacher Room

MON 9.35 Spreadsheets E.Carolan PLC R1

10.10 Spreadsheets E.Carolan PLC R1

10.50 Break

11.00 Word Processing E. Carolan PLC R1

11.40 Communications E. Shanley PLC R1

12.00 Work Experience P.Conroy PLC R1

13.00 Lunch

TUE 9.35 Word Processing E. Carolan PLC R1

10.10 Word Processing E. Carolan PLC R1

10.50 Break

11.00 Business Management D.Staunton PLC R1

11.40 Computerised Accounts E.Carolan PLC R1

12.20 Computerised Accounts E.Carolan PLC R1

13.00 Lunch

WED 9.35 Team Leadership E.Shanley PLC R1

10.10 Communications E. Shanley PLC R1

10.50 Break

11.00 Computerised Accounts E.Carolan PLC R1

11.40 Spreadsheets E. Carolan PLC R1

12.20 Marketing Management D.Staunton PLC R1

13.00 Lunch

THUR 9.35 Computerised Accounting E.Carolan PLC R1

10.10 Word Processing E. Carolan PLC R1

10.50 Break

11.00 Marketing Management D.Staunton PLC R1

11.40 Business Management D.Staunton PLC R1

12.20 Team Leadership E.Shanley PLC R1

13.00 Lunch

FRI 9.35 Spreadsheets E. Carolan PLC R1

10.10 Business Management S.Slevin-Joyce PLC R1

10.50 Break

11.00 Marketing Management D.Staunton PLC R1

11.40 Team Leadership E.Shanley PLC R1

12.20 Work Experience P.Conroy PLC R1

13.00 Lunch

NOTE: Break times 10.45- 11.00 am

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

–Will Rogers

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

– Abraham Lincoln

“We are here to support you”

- RCC Staff

-