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 published today, reports that in 2009 over €22.2 million was invested in developing the skills of over 40,000 workers in Irish enterprise. Skillnets facilitates training and upskilling in collaboration with 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.
Domhnall MacDomhnaill, Chairman of Skillnets said that “the overall objectives of the National Skills Strategy published in 2007 still remained relevant in 2009 although the economic context for the implementation of the strategy had changed. The economic climate has clearly impacted on the ability of enterprise to respond to and afford training needs on a national or global scale. However, it has also created an urgent need as well as a continued demand for training and upskilling from many companies which is evident in over 27,000 companies taking part in the Training Networks Programme (TNP).

Many small businesses reduced in size leading to management and staff multi-tasking which created a demand to rapidly acquire new skills. 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. Skillnets targeted and demand-led training for enterprise continued to contribute greatly to increased productivity and competitiveness for member companies in 2009”.

In 2009 Skillnets assessed how the network structure could be further utilised to continue to provide relevant training to people in employment whilst beginning to address the new reality of the numbers of people who were unemployed. Skillnets embarked on designing a new programme with a renewed focus on the desired skills set for Ireland to achieve increased productivity and competitiveness, with an expansion of the profile of trainees to include the unemployed and a funding model that delivers even greater value for public money.

Skillnets CEO Alan Nuzum commenting on the enhanced Skillnets model said “in a recent pilot survey of jobseekers who took part in Skillnets training courses, 91% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that it was an advantage to train with people in employment and 86% of all respondents agreed that the training increased their chances of securing work. On completion of Skillnets training, one in five jobseekers stated they had since secured work with one in four progressing into further education/training and one in seven becoming self employed. For trainees, it allows them to maintain relevant skill levels at the cutting-edge of industry and for employers it provides them with immediate access to a pool of highly skilled people with up to date and relevant skills now or when needed in the future”.

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Full report available to download on http://www.skillnets.ie/publications/annual-report-2009
For further information contact: Sinéad McGovern
Tel: 01 20796730 Email: communications@skillnets.com

Skillnets is a state funded, enterprise-led support body dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of training and upskilling as key elements in sustaining Ireland's national competitiveness.

We support and fund networks of enterprises to engage in training under the Training Networks Programme (TNP). These networks, now referred to as 'Skillnets', are led and managed by the enterprises themselves to design, manage and deliver specific training programmes across a broad range of industry and service sectors nationwide.

Since 1999, Skillnets has facilitated over 50,000 Irish enterprises, in over 300 networks to improve the range, scope and quality of training and allowed over 240,000 employees to upskill and meet their work related training needs.

In the Training Networks Programme (TNP) 2010/11 Skillnets networks are also providing training to job-seekers, who are training with those in employment. By training with those in employment, job-seekers can access networking opportunities and keep up to date with their sector while participating in relevant industry-specific training programmes.

Skillnets Ltd.
5th Floor, Q House,
76 Furze Road,
Sandyford Industrial Estate,
Dublin 18

This release was published on openPR.