Skills for Work is a national programme aimed at providing training opportunities to help employees deal with the basic skills demands of the workplace. The initiative is funded by the Irish Government under the Department of Education and Skills, and delivered by Education & Training Boards (ETB) across the country.

Skills for Work is part of the Government’s National Skills Strategy. This strategy recognises that the nature of the workplace is constantly changing: work is becoming less routine with a requirement for a workforce that is flexible, continuously learning and capable of personal growth.

How does a company avail of this opportunity?

The first step is to contact the Skills for Work Co-ordinator, who will work with the employer to identify suitable participants and agree on the course content and delivery schedule. Skills for Work courses generally run for 35 hours with the option of daytime, evening or weekend programmes. All programmes are delivered by qualified tutors to groups of between 6-8 students.

Who are typical participants in Skills for Work programmes?

In every workforce there are employees who do not have the necessary confidence in their own skills to put themselves forward for general training opportunities and/or take on new roles and tasks which is a feature of the modern day workplace. Typically Skills for Work participants would have left school before completing the Leaving Certificate. The Skills for Work Co-ordinator meets with all the participants prior to the commencement of the programme to determine their suitability for the course.

What is the standard of programme delivery?

KWETB is a quality assured QQI provider of Further Education and Training from levels 1-6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. The ethos of KWETB is one of an open, friendly and welcoming learning environment with professionally trained tutors.

Benefits to the employer

Participation in Skills for Work gives employers the opportunity to provide appropriate and quality training to employees at no cost to the employer. The South East Regional Skills for Work Co-ordinator will meet with each employer to devise  a tailor made course to up skill the eligible participants, as determined by the Skills for Work criteria.

• Ensure a skilled and qualified  workforce
• Increase quality and output
• Better team performance
• Improve labour –management relations
• Better health and safety record
• Increase in retention of employees
• Increase in staff promotion opportunities
• Trained staff  create more work productivity
• Higher productivity results in bigger profits
• Improved core skills can mean a reduction in wastage and saves money
• Building your company’s reputation as a quality learning organisation

Benefits to the employee

• Increased confidence, motivation and knowledge
• Higher value work and reward
• Increase competency levels
• Higher skill levels
• Enhance promotional prospects
• Higher performance outcomes
• Job satisfaction
• Flexibility and competitiveness
• Greater security of employment
• New skills and knowledge can be applied in practical situations
• Can better manage changes in work practices
• Opens the door to additional educational opportunities

For more information contact
Deirdre Gallagher, Skills For Work Co-ordinator for the South east Region, at:
Mobile: 087 188 4355
Email: deirdregallagher@kwetb.ie 

Skills for Work Gallery