Irish Vocational Education Association

An Cumann Gairmoideachais in Éirinn

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Workplace Learning
Given the recommendations in the 5th report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs ('Towards a National Skills Strategy' published by Forfas) and the Skills for Work strategy in the UK , it is likely that the training and upskilling of those in employment will, in the future, form an ever-increasing proportion of the work undertaken by VECs. In this regard, the following programmes are very much a taste of what is to come between now and 2020.
Skills for Work (SFW)
This initiative operates under the One Step Up umbrella of services provided by FÁS as a response to concerns regarding low levels of literacy and numeracy within the workforce. VECs provide all tuition while NALA, FAS and ICTU provide the organisation, promotion and support. VEC involvement in the Skills for Work initiative required VECs to sign up to the National Register of Trainers.
All SFW programmes include literacy and numeracy elements integrated into a variety of subjects ranging from communications, computing, interpersonal skills, technical English, problem-solving and report-writing. Programmes are usually delivered on the company premises and their length is agreed between employer and co-ordinator. Currently, the learning associated with completing a single course is the equivalent of one NFQ Level 3 module.
SkillVEC
SkillVEC is a VEC programme delivering workplace education/training to Health Service Executive (HSE) staff on a country-wide basis. Targeted at HSE staff at support worker (FETAC Level 5 award) and supervisor level (FETAC Level 6 award), the HSE estimates the programme will be relevant to about 28,000 members of staff across the country.
Please contact your local VEC for further information.
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