SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna)

We are delighted to be hosting three online events next week as part of Public Service Transformation Week which is focused on 'Transformation in Action'. These webinars will showcase SOLAS projects & initiatives that are delivering enhanced & more inclusive services for the Irish public. #ThisIsFET 'Literacy Transforms Lives' Date: Thursday, 24th Oct Time: 12pm-1pm Hosted by Helen Ryan from our Adult Literacy for Life office, the event includes an input from a learner ambassador who will share their experiences of dealing with public services when you have literacy needs. eCollege is Open: A Journey to open online learning in Further Education and Training Date: Friday, 25th Oct Time: 2pm-2.45pm Ciara Ni Fhloinn will share insights from the emergency opening of eCollege, the national online learning service, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and how lessons learned continue to inform its development as an open #LifelongLearning service. The contribution of digital technologies and data management to the monitoring and optimising of performance in FET Date: Friday, 25th October Time: 11am-11.30am Hosted by Aoife Walshe, attendees will learn more about the live digital dashboards are now integral to the monitoring of performance of each of the Education and Training Boards as well as the national FET system. More info at 👉 https://lnkd.in/ej-rRUS5 Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform #BetterPublicServices

As Health Literacy Month comes to a close, the #AdultLiteracyForLife Programme Office highlights why #HealthLiteracy matters in order to remove barriers preventing adults understanding information about their health. 👇Take a closer look below to learn more about #HealthLiteracy barriers some adults with unmet literacy needs face. 💡The #AdultLiteracyForLife omnibus survey in 2023 found that 17% of adults in Ireland understand little information from their GP (family doctor), nurse or pharmacist, while NALA's 2015 research shows that 5% of people faced the same issue in 2015. 💡Discover more #helathliteracy facts below, and learn why it is important for everyone across society to play their part and support literacy for all, because health literacy matters. 💡Make sure to check out new #healthliteracy courses for #healthcare staff or anyone who wants to learn how to be literacy friendly at: https://lnkd.in/ebnvZmCg

Are you a health and social care professional in contact with people who may have unmet literacy needs? Check out this new short online course by SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) on using a #LiteracyFriendly approach in healthcare. You can access this online 40-minute course here⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eKp_XJP4 #AdultLiteracyForLife #HealthLiteracyMatters

SOLAS Director of Branding, Communications and FET Strategy Implementation, Maria Walshe highlighting the increasing demand for FET as a valuable post secondary learning pathway that is well positioned to lead students on to a world of exciting careers. “Fast becoming a prime destination for school-leavers, increasing numbers of students are now choosing the FET route. Last year, for example, course enrolments were up 11 per cent year on year for QQI level five and six courses, also known as PLCs.” https://lnkd.in/e9WhPwpF

📢Calling all #apprentices and partners! ⌛️We kindly remind all 28000 #apprentices training across all 77 diverse #GenerationApprenticeship programmes to set aside 12 minutes to share your thoughts and take part in our key national survey of apprentices by 04 November! 🎯We also kindly encourage all apprenticeship employers and partners across the education, training and industry space to spread the word and remind apprentices to complete the survey by Monday, 04 November. 🚀Apprentices, your voice matters! Don't miss your opportunity to shape the positive direction of #GenerationApprenticeship training in Ireland now and into the future!

SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) the Further Education and Training Authority, and Enterprise Ireland have launched a Strategic Partnership to widen access to upskilling programmes for small, medium and micro enterprises, and to help drive their growth and competitiveness in Ireland. As part of the Strategic Partnership, SOLAS and EI announced two new Management Development programmes, a cross sectoral SME Management Development Programme, and a Hospitality and Retail Sector Specific Management Development Pilot. Speaking about the programmes Denis Leamy, Chief Executive of Cork Education and Training Board said: “Cork ETB and Cork College of FET are excited to be piloting the leadership and management development programmes as part of the strategic partnership with SOLAS, Enterprise Ireland, and the Local Enterprise Offices in our region. At Cork College of FET, we are dedicated to collaborating with industry to offer reskilling and upskilling opportunities for staff, and this leadership and management programme is an excellent pathway for companies to nurture emerging leaders within their organisation.” ➡ Read more: https://lnkd.in/eN5WNy6e

SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna), the Further Education and Training Authority, and Enterprise Ireland have launched their Strategic Partnership to widen access to upskilling programmes for small, medium and micro enterprises, and to help drive their growth and competitiveness in Ireland. As part of their Strategic Partnership, SOLAS and Enterprise Ireland announced the introduction of two new Management Development programmes which will support a range of sectors including Hospitality and Retail. These initiatives are being run in partnership with Local Enterprise Offices in Cork and the Cork Education and Training Board. Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS said: "This important collaboration between the FET sector and businesses will build on the success of industry-led FET provision and support the Education and Training Boards Ireland network to increase their upskilling opportunities available to local enterprise, empowering learners to flourish in their chosen careers while supporting the productivity and sustainability of businesses in Ireland." Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said: “The launch of this partnership between Enterprise Ireland and SOLAS recognises the need to increase Irish SMES’ productivity rates in line with international standards. Leadership & Management Skills has been identified as a significant barrier to growth and these exciting new initiatives aim to equip Irish SMEs with the essential leadership and management skills required to compete globally.” Both programmes, the cross sectoral SME Management Development Programme, and the Hospitality and Retail Sector Specific Management Development Programme are being piloted at local level in 2024 with the aim of rolling them out nationally in 2025 through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). This strategic partnership is supported by Small Firms Association | ISME Ireland | Irish Hotels Federation | Restaurants Association of Ireland | Chambers Ireland | Retail Excellence Ireland | Fáilte Ireland | Skillnet Ireland | @Regional Skills Forum Managers

Brilliant to see another #FETCollegeoftheFuture project taking a significant step forward, with Taoiseach Simon Harris announcing the next stage of the Wicklow College of FET project in Bray today. https://lnkd.in/eaR53vPT Kildare and Wicklow ETB

Looking forward to hosting two online events today as part of Public Service Transformation Week, including: 11am-11.30am: The contribution of digital technologies and data management to the monitoring and optimising of performance in FET. Hosted by Aoife Walshe attendees will learn more about the live digital dashboards are now integral to the monitoring of performance of each of the Education and Training Boards as well as the national FET system. 2pm-2.45pm: eCollege is Open: A Journey to open online learning in Further Education and Training. Ciara Ni Fhloinn will share insights from the emergency opening of eCollege, the national online learning service, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and how lessons learned continue to inform its development as a #LifelongLearning service. More information 👇 https://lnkd.in/ej-rRUS5 #BetterPublicServices Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform

We finished off a really busy and exciting day in Cork with our 4th regional FET Strategy consultation with ETB colleagues. Thanks to Cork Education and Training Board for hosting a brilliant session. Really valuable discussions on how we can collectively deliver on our future ambition for FET & ensure that we continue to keep learners at the heart of all we do - widening access, diversifying pathways, upskilling and reskilling our workforce, and facilitating lifelong learning #ThisIsFET