Publications
Skillnets News - Issue 14, March 2013TNP 2012-2013 Welcome to the fourteenth issue of Skillnets News, bringing you the latest on the ongoing activities of Skillnets as well as network news and recent events. In this issue: • Skillnets deliverables under the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 |
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Evaluation of Skillnets Programmes 2011TNP 2010-2011 An independent evaluation of Skillnets training programmes 2011 published today, reports a return on investment (ROI) of 258% to the exchequer, with 951 people taken off the live register as a direct result of training and another 1,211 new jobs created through member companies participation in training. The CIRCA Group Europe was commissioned to complete the evaluation which covered the activity of 70 training networks across the country. Skillnets supports training networks across the country with resources and expertise to design and deliver training solutions that contribute to competiveness and the employability of employees and job-seekers. In 2011 over 10,000 companies, mostly SME’s, took part in Skillnets training. In a survey with member companies, nearly all companies (97%) agreed that the training has helped them to fill skill gaps, whilst 87% agreed that it has contributed to improved productivity – nearly half of these companies said it made a significant or high impact in improving productivity (44% of respondents). A high proportion of respondents also reported that Skillnets training has contributed to market developments such as enhancements to products and services (83%) and in some cases, expansion in existing markets (55%) or entry into new markets (49%). Domhnall MacDomhnaill, Chairman of Skillnets, said that “This report offers evidence that our training programmes for both the employed and unemployed are having a substantial impact in taking people off the live register and creating new jobs in industry. We are delivering value for money programmes with a very good average cost to the state of €289 per trainee and €55 per training day. The evaluation found that our training networks are enterprise-led and that the quality and relevance of the training is regarded very highly by the trainees and member companies”. €12.1 million was invested from the National Training Fund (NTF) and €10.5 million from companies. Trainees benefitted from over 221,682 training days with over 41,000 of those training days delivered to job-seekers. The report also found that the Job-seekers Support Programme (JSSP) is a unique programme that provides free training in skills in demand by industry combined with direct access to employers through meaningful work placements. As part of this programme a range of conversion programmes to help job-seekers acquire a qualification in a different discipline and potentially move into the growth sectors with jobs are offered. Over 50% of participants confirmed that the programme had helped them to re-enter employment or helped them develop skills in setting up their own business. |
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Skillnets News - Issue 13, September 2012TNP 2012-2013 Welcome to the thirteenth issue of Skillnets News, bringing you the latest on the ongoing activities of Skillnets as well as network news and recent events. In this issue:
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Annual Report 2011TNP 2010-2011 The Skillnets Annual Report 2011 reports that in 2011 €22.6 million was invested in developing the skills of over 42,113 people in Ireland. Skillnets supports training networks across the country with resources and expertise to design and deliver training solutions that contribute to competiveness and the employability of employees and job-seekers. €12.1 million was invested from the National Training Fund (NTF) and €10.5 million from companies. Trainees benefitted from over 221,682 training days, delivered by 72 Skillnet networks across the country. Over 41,000 of those training days were delivered to job-seekers. In a 2011 survey with member companies, nearly all companies (97%) agreed that the training has helped them to fill skill gaps, whilst 87% agreed that it has contributed to improved productivity – nearly half of these companies said it made a significant or high impact in improving productivity (44% of respondents). A high proportion of respondents also reported that Skillnets training has contributed to market developments such as enhancements to products and services (83%) and in some cases, expansion in existing markets (55%) or entry into new markets (49%). Domhnall MacDomhnaill, Chairman of Skillnets, said that “Over recent years, SMEs in particular have been severely impacted by declining demand at home and abroad and have endured difficult times, but it has been said and proven time and time again that in Ireland SMEs are the critical link between economic growth and employment growth. 94% of companies funded by Skillnets are classified as SMEs and despite difficult times, these SMEs have continued to invest in training with the support of Skillnets, with an increase in the level of investment relative to earlier years.” |
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Skillnets News - Issue 12, March 2012TNP 2012-2013 Welcome to the twelfth issue of Skillnets News, bringing you the latest on the ongoing activities of Skillnets as well as network news and recent events. In this issue:
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Skillnets News - Issue 11, September 2011TNP 2010-2011 Welcome to the eleventh issue of Skillnets News, bringing you the latest on the ongoing activities of Skillnets as well as network news and recent events. In this issue:
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Annual Report 2010TNP 2010-2011 €17.3 million invested in training over 39,000 people through Skillnets training programmes in 2010 The Skillnets Annual Report 2010 reports that in 2010 €17.3 million was invested in developing the skills of over 39,000 people in Ireland. Skillnets proactively responds to enterprise needs by focusing on facilitating the changing needs of employers through best practice training, while simultaneously meeting the needs of the unemployed. €8.4 million was invested from the National Training Fund (NTF) and €8.9 million from companies. Trainees benefitted from over 185,000 training days, delivered by over 60 Skillnet networks across the country. Domhnall MacDomhnaill, Chairman of Skillnets, said that “Over the last 18 months the strategic direction of Skillnets has been adapted and fine-tuned to respond to the need for investment in our people, both employed and unemployed, to develop sustainable economic growth for the country. Improving the skills and competencies of our workforce will be critical in our efforts to attract substantial levels of foreign direct investment and to enable our domestic companies to continue to compete with the best in the world. 94% of companies funded by Skillnets are classified as SMEs. These are the companies that the economy is depending on to kick start economic growth. I am pleased to report that Skillnets is playing its part in supporting these SMEs. In a 2010 survey with member companies more than four out of five companies (82%) agreed that Skillnets training helped them to fill skill gaps whilst 68% agreed that it improved productivity. A high proportion of companies reported that Skillnets training helped to achieve market developments such as enhancements to products and services (70%). 84% agreed that Skillnets training represents good value for money and 89% agreed that they would recommend to other companies to join a Skillnet network. |
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Skillnets News - Issue 10, April 2011TNP 2010-2011 Welcome to the tenth issue of Skillnets News, bringing you the latest on the ongoing activities of Skillnets as well as network news and recent events. In this issue:
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Skillnets News - Issue 9, September 2010TNP 2010-2011 Welcome to the ninth issue of Skillnets News, bringing you the latest on the ongoing activities of Skillnets as well as network news and recent events. In this issue:
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Annual Report 2009TNP 2010-2011 Companies continue to invest in training despite recessionary times – Over 40,000 workers trained through Skillnets Training Networks Programme (TNP) in 2009. The Skillnets Annual Report 2009 reported that Irish enterprise is still investing in training. In 2009 over €22.2 million was invested in developing the skills of over 40,000 workers in Irish enterprise. €14.5 million was invested from the National Training Fund (NTF) and €7.7 million from companies. Training was delivered by 103 Skillnet networks across the country. In a 2009 survey with member companies 62% (an increase of 16% on 2008 figures) of companies said that participating in a Skillnets network had created new business partnerships and 69% (an increase of 16% on 2008 figures) reported key business contacts being generated.
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