Skillnet networkS Scoop awardS - Skillnets

2 

From the Chief 

Executive’s Desk 

6–8 

Focus on Job-seekers 

16–21 

Network News 

22–23 

Finuas Networks Programme 

Issue 12 • March 2012 

Skillnet networkS 

Scoop awardS 

at the Irish Institute of Training and 

Development (IITD) National Training 

Awards 

Paul Sweetman, Promoter, ISA Software Skillnet, Gordon 

O’Reilly, VMWare, Sinead Marron, IITD, Edel Creely, Trilogy 

Technologies and Niall O’Cleirigh, TIGDUV at the IITD National 

Training Awards. 

Read more about it on page 4

From the 

Chief Executive’s Desk 

Securing funding for our programmes in 2012 further embeds the importance 

of the work that Skillnets and networks are achieving on the ground with 

companies, employees and job-seekers. In 2012, 53 networks are operating 

in the Training Networks Programme (TNP) and three networks in the Finuas 

Networks Programme (Finuas). 

We are delighted to announce that Skillnets has been chosen to implement a 

new pilot Management Development Networks Programme for SMEs under the 

recently launched ‘Action Plan for Jobs’. This is testament to Skillnets’ success to 

date in working directly with enterprise in both our TNP and Finuas programmes. 

Skillnets has commissioned an independent evaluation of both programmes 

in 2011 covering the activity of 72 networks, 68 from TNP and four from 

Finuas, results of which will be available later in the year. I would like to take 

this opportunity to thank all networks, promoters, member companies, trainees 

and stakeholders for giving their valuable time to this evaluation. 

As part of Skillnets’ overall promotion strategy, we were one of a number of 

sponsors at the most recent Career Zoo event which attracted over 10,000 

people. Skillnets was extensively promoted in the run-up to and throughout 

the event. On the day, conversion courses were the hot topic. Read more about 

conversion programme success stories in 2011 on pages 6 and 7. We are 

continuing to run online promotion campaigns through Facebook. In 2012 

we are targeting a pilot campaign at SMEs. You can see some of the results 

of this campaign and other campaigns on page 9. 

Skillnets has been very active contributing to European policy through attendance 

at high-level expert workshops and hosting and attending study visits on a variety 

of subjects. You can read more about these on pages 10 to 12. 

The Professional Development Programme (PDP) for network managers got off 

to a very dynamic start with a more interactive format which resulted in some 

great idea generation and outcomes. Upcoming events include cluster meetings 

and workshops. See the back page for further information. 

On our network pages you can read more about new course developments, a book 

launch for the healthcare sector, various seminars and events and a network 

demonstrating a really innovative use of technology to support job-seekers. 

I look forward to another busy year ahead. 

Alan Nuzum 

CEO, Skillnets Ltd 

02 

Skillnets News • March 2012 

Management 

development 

networks pilot 

programme 2012 

Up to €1.2m of public funding has been 

allocated for a pilot Management 

Development Networks Programme 

in 2012 under the recently announced 

Action Plan for Jobs. The genesis of this 

pilot programme was the final report 

of the Management Development 

Council (MDC) (February 2010) of which 

Skillnets was a member. The pilot 

programme was further recommended 

in a report from The Advisory Group 

on Small Business (November 2011). 

“The report identified areas for 

improvement in management practice 

amongst Irish SMEs. It concluded that 

improving management capability within 

SMEs through management development 

(including the adoption of the networked 

model) can lead to significant returns 

to the State in terms of increased gross 

value added, increased employment, 

better business survival rates and 

a more skilled workforce.” 

Management Development in Ireland – 

the Report of the Management 

Development Council, February 2010 

Preliminary design work has commenced, 

including ongoing consultation with 

stakeholders. Lorcán Ó hÓbáin has been 

appointed to co-ordinate the design, 

development and implementation of 

this action. Further consultation is in 

train, including engagement with The 

Advisory Group on Small Business. 

Lorcán can be contacted at 

l.ohobain@skillnets.com.

Programme NEWS 

pdp 2012 

This year’s Professional Development Programme (PDP) got 

off to a very positive start with two events, one in Limerick 

and one in Dublin. It is hoped that the new interactive format 

gives network managers more opportunities to network with 

each other. 

Cluster meetings will continue this year and are scheduled 

for April and September. Further plenary PDP meetings will 

take place in October. 

Following a training needs analysis (TNA) with network 

managers, two workshops will be offered this year, one will 

focus on managing network finances and the other one on 

the network marketing and promotion. These workshops will 

take place in June and July. 

certification 

Focus Group 

The Certification Group comprising of network managers which 

provides support to networks in the area of certification, 

undertook a survey with all networks at the end of 2011 which 

looked in detail at barriers to certification and flexible learning 

methods, as well as the levels of certification delivered both 

under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), other 

bodies and industry. Feedback was very useful and the group 

will undertake another survey in the middle of the year. 

The group will formally meet every quarter and will organise 

an event, open to all network managers, in July to examine 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for training/mentoring 

programmes and to look at Protection for Learners (PfL) 

requirements in general. The former RPL Forum (South East 

Micro Skillnet and Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet), has joined forces 

with the certification group and RPL pilot programmes are 

currently being organised by the group. 

For further information on certification, contact Mick McHugh 

at mick@skillnets.com. 

cpd diploma 

in Managing Business 

Networks 2011 

The popular CPD Diploma programme run in conjunction with DIT 

was run for the fourth time from April to December 2011. Joint 

winners of student of the year were Liz Carroll, ISME Skillnet 

and Brenda Sheridan, Skillnets. Theresa Kelly from Carlow 

Kilkenny Skillnet won an outstanding achievement award. 

Modules included: 

• Module 1: Introduction to Networks 

• Module 2: Training for Networks 

• Module 3: Managing & Sustaining Networks 

• Module 4: Measurement & Benchmarking OR 

Marketing Networks 

• Module 5: Business Finance 

Recruitment for the 2013 programme for network managers 

has commenced. Contact Dave Flynn at dave@skillnets.com 

for further information. 

Domhnall MacDomhnaill, Chairman, Skillnets with 

Theresa Kelly, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, Brenda 

Sheridan, Skillnets, Liz Carroll, ISME Skillnet, Noreen 

Fitzpatrick, Mat Kujawa and Alan Nuzum, Skillnets. 

Photo courtesy of Jason Clarke Photography. 

Skillnets News • March 2012 03

Programme NEwS 

Skillnet networkS 

Scoop awardS 

Continued from page 1 

Entering its 14th year, the Irish Institute of Training and 

Development (IITD) National Training Awards took place at the 

beginning of this month in Killashee House Hotel in Kildare. 

The revised and updated awards are focused on: engagement, 

collaboration, participative management, excellence in training 

initiatives, transparency, innovation and learning and 

development of both individuals and organisations. They 

were designed to encourage a greater level of participation 

by allowing new opportunities for organisations and individuals 

to submit entries based on specific training initiatives that they 

believe have contributed to the success of their organisations. 

Speaking at the celebration, Minister of State for Training and 

Skills, Ciarán Cannon T.D., said: 

“I warmly congratulate all those receiving 

awards here this evening. This celebration 

is recognition of your commitment to best 

practice and to the training and development 

of your people. 

The training and upskilling of our country’s 

workforce is a vital element of this country’s 

recovery from the current downturn. Training 

and upskilling will also play a vital part in 

securing the future competitive advantage 

of all enterprises and in enhancing future 

growth in productivity.” 

04 


tHe Skillnet award winnerS 

NETWORKS & GROUPS AWARD 

OVERALL AWARD WINNER: 

ISA Software Skillnet 

The award particularly acknowledged the successful 

development of a range of flexible, quality, innovative learning 

solutions, through the involvement of key experts from within 

the sector to successfully address strategic priorities of the 

software sector. The extensive enterprise-led networked 

approach has led to the development and provision of a wide 

range of highly innovative learning solutions, from leadingedge 

technology courses to highly successful IT conversion 

programmes for job-seekers. 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT 

AWARD WINNERS: 

First Polymer Training Skillnet, 

Leading Healthcare Providers 

Skillnet, Life Sciences Skillnet 

and Taste4Success Skillnet. 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: 

ISA Software Skillnet 

A Special Recognition Award was awarded to ISA Software 

Skillnet for their ability to deliver relevant, valuable training 

rapidly in response to the changing needs in the software 

sector, which is one of the few high performing areas of the 

economy, and secondly for its tremendous work to ensure 

ongoing high level up-skilling for people working in the 

software sector.


BEST WORK PLACEMENT 

GRADUATES AND NON 

GRADUATES OUTSTANDING 

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: 

Law Society Skillnet and 

Law Society Finuas Network 

The Law Society Skillnet and Law Society Finuas Network 

won an Outstanding Achievement Award in this category for 

two of its Job-seeker Support Programme (JSSP) initiatives which 

delivered six new programmes to unemployed professionals 

which included innovative certification in new areas such as 

Islamic Finance. Many of the individuals have since secured 

employment. 

INNOVATIVE USE OF 

TECHNOLOGY AWARD 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT 

AWARD: 

Law Society Skillnet and 

Law Society Finuas Network 

The Law Society Skillnet and Law Society Finuas Network 

won an Outstanding Achievement Award in this category for 

nationwide enterprise-led accessible job-seeker training, using 

technology creatively to deliver a number of online training 

courses to up-skill unemployed solicitors. These courses were 

funded by the Job-seekers Support Programme (JSSP). You can 

read more about it in the Finuas section on page 22. 

Sinead Marron, President of the Irish Institute of Training & 

Development said: “Awards like the IITD National Training 

Awards are just the antidote people need to both counteract 

the current negativity out there and also to remind us that 

a lot of companies are actively investing in training and 

development and reaping the rewards of high performance.” 

Celebrating the Law Society Skillnet and Law Society 

Finuas Networks’ Outstanding Achievement Awards are 

(back row left to right) Paul Mooney, Law Society Law 

School, Sinead Heneghan, IITD, Sinead Marron, IITD, 

Kevin Hannigan, Law Society Finuas Network Steering 

Committee (front row left to right) Tracey Donnery, 

Skillnets, Attracta O’Regan and Michelle Nolan, Law 

Society Skillnet & Law Society Finuas Network. 

Pictured receiving the Overall Networks & Groups Award 

at the 2012 IITD Awards – left to right: Sinead Marron, 

IITD, Niall O’Cleirigh, TIGDUV, Paul Sweetman, ISA and 

Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon T.D. 



Job-seekers 

TOMORROw’S SKILLS 

NEEDS 

Employability is a key driver for people when deciding which 

course to study when either employed or unemployed. Work 

placements in conjunction with training provide a valuable 

opportunity to develop marketability and gain a competitive 

advantage in the employment market. 

Skillnet networks are rising to the challenge by introducing 

innovative conversion programmes that enable job-seekers 

of one discipline to acquire a qualification in a different 

discipline in a typically vocational context by also providing 

work placements. 

06 

• 16 networks currently offer conversion courses in 2012 

• Courses available in ICT, Medical Devices, International 

Financial Services, Polymer, Retail, Bio-Pharma and 

Agri-Food 

• All include work placement 

• NFQ and/or Industry Certification 

All programmes are funded under the Job-seekers Support 

Programme (JSSP) which aims to increase the employability 

of job-seekers by providing them with skills which would allow 

them to up skill, re-enter their previous sector of employment 

or transfer into alternative sectors. 

Here we look at some of the work being carried out by our 

networks across regions and sectors. 

Aidan Harney, CPD Engineers Ireland, 

Sharon Higgins, Director IMDA, Minister 

for Social Protection, Joan Burton, T.D., 

Alan Nuzum, Skillnets, Eoghan Ó 

Faoláin, Executive, IMDA/IBEC and 

Pauline O’Flanagan, Life Sciences 

Skillnet at the launch of the Engineers 

Conversion Programme for unemployed 

engineers to convert into the medical 

devices/pharmaceutical sectors. 


Cloud Careers 

ISA Software Skillnet provided both new graduates, and those 

looking to change careers, with an intensive skills’ conversion 

opportunity through their Cloud Careers programme. VMware, 

based in Ballincollig in Cork, was the main company sponsor 

supporting the programme. Participants gained two international 

accreditations recognised across the software sector as well 

as work experience which opened up opportunities for roles 

as triage engineers and in technical support. The most recent 

update on the participants is that 41% (11 people) are already 

in jobs and 48% (13 people) are completing work placements. 

www.isa-skillnet.com 

Engineers Conversion 

Programme 

Life Sciences Skillnet delivered an Engineers Conversion 

Programme in 2011 which was developed to enable unemployed 

engineers of traditional disciplines to convert to the medical 

devices/pharmaceutical sectors. The training was combined with 

work placements in a range of indigenous and multi-national 

companies operating in the sector. Approximately half of the 

trainees availed of placements through JobBridge – the National 

Internship Scheme. Over half of the trainees had a construction 

background. These work placements are still ongoing. 

www.lifesciencesskillnet.ie


Some of the first graduates of the FETAC Level 5 

Certificate in Healthcare Support (Major Award) 

for Healthcare Assistants. 

Learning waves Skillnet launched its ‘Radio – Get your Foot 

in the Door’ workshop in 2010. The aim of this workshop was 

to give people who are interested in pursuing a career in radio 

the opportunity to meet professionals from the industry and 

to hear from them on ‘what it takes to make it in radio’. 

The workshop was run twice in 2010 and once in 2011 and a 

total of over 50 people attended. A number of the participants 

went on to complete further training programmes through 

Learning Waves Skillnet in both 2010 and 2011. 

Caoimhseach Connolly was one of those participants. She 

secured a number of work placements; the first with Teena 

Gates in the 98FM newsroom in 2010 on the back of the 

workshop and later with Newstalk, Today FM and a further 

placement with 98FM. Throughout her work placements she 

continued to undertake a number of training programmes with 

Learning Waves Skillnet. Following the success of her work 

placement with 98FM, Caoimhseach was offered freelance 

work with the radio station over Christmas 2011. She is 

now a weekend reporter for a number of stations and is still 

a regular participant in Learning Waves courses. 

Healthcare Support 

50 people, 18 of whom were former construction workers with 

no previous healthcare experience, completed a FETAC Level 5 

Certificate in Healthcare Support (Major Award) for Healthcare 

Assistants through the Leading Healthcare Providers (LHP) 

Skillnet. Most graduates are now working in a full or part-time 

capacity in this sector. One participant who completed the 

Healthcare Support Award is now in their second year on an 

Honours Degree in Nursing at DCU. 23 people commenced 

the programme in Nov 2011 and will complete it in May 2012. 

This programme will run again in 2012. 

www.lhpskillnet.ie 

radio: GET yOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR 

– A Job-seeker Success Story 

According to Caoimhseach the most beneficial part of the 

workshops and training was “getting to ask the experts 

questions and also getting the opportunity to meet the 

experts”. She would encourage anyone who is interested 

in working in radio to go to www.learningwaves.ie, attend the 

courses the network has on offer and benefit from meeting 

people from the industry. Gaining some work experience and 

following up on contacts made on the courses is an important 

next step. On recommending Learning Waves Skillnet to others, 

Caoimhseach commented that “it’s where everyone in radio 

goes to learn and where the people who know what they are 

talking about go to train”. 

Learning Waves Skillnet will be further developing its workshop 

on ‘Radio – Get your Foot in the Door’ in 2012 and will also be 

further developing its existing programmes to specifically train 

those who are currently unemployed and who may be interested 

in pursuing a career in radio. 

www.learningwaves.ie 

Caoimhseach Connolly at the Learning waves Skillnet 

‘Independent Radio… a strong voice’ conference. 



Job-seekers Support 

Programme (JSSP) 

44 networks are taking part in the Job-seekers Support 

Programme (JSSP) in 2012 running a variety of training courses 

with work placements. Check out www.skillnets.ie/jssp for 

further information on the networks taking part and the types 

of training courses available. 

Supporting the 

Unemployed working 

Group 

The Supporting the Unemployed Working Group met on the 8th 

March to discuss an action plan for the coming year, which will 

include a Job-seekers Support Programme (JSSP) workshop for 

networks, together with the development of a system to track 

the progression of JSSP job-seekers following participation 

in Skillnets training courses. A plan to promote conversion 

programmes is also being finalised. 

Current membership of the Group includes: 

CCMA Ireland Skillnet Samantha Plant 

Gréasán na Meán Skillnet Christine O’Connor 

Positive2Work Skillnet Mark Brennan 

Digital Media Forum Skillnet Irene Kavanagh 

Wind Skillnet Johanna Cafferkey 

Taste4Success Skillnet Bridie Corrigan Matthews 

Learning Waves Skillnet Teresa Hanratty 

ULearning Skillnet Ronan O’Boyle 

Life Sciences Skillnet Pauline O’Flanagan 

South Kerry Skillnet Paul Murphy 

Please contact christine@greasannamean.ie for further 

information on the work of this group. 

08 


New Job-seekers 

Eligibility Criteria 

Skillnets has been working very closely with the Department 

of Social Protection (DSP) in finalising job-seeker eligibility. 

You will be able to view it shortly at the following link – 

http://www.skillnets.ie/job-seekers/eligibility-criteria.


coMMS Support 

In the last few months the Skillnets’ Communications 

team has continued to support networks with advice 

on promotion and brand awareness. 

Based on the success of last year’s trial corporate 

Facebook ad, the team has also run a number of targeted 

campaigns to promote the networks and their courses 

through this medium. All ads were linked to the relevant 

page on the Skillnets website www.skillnets.ie and were 

funded by Skillnets Ltd. 

FACEBOOK ADVERTISING 

SMe ad campaign 

From February to March of this year, a new type of advertising 

campaign was run through Facebook. These advertisements 

targeted small business owners throughout Ireland. The results 

of the campaign were very positive, generating an increase of 

186% in traffic to the ‘Find a Course’ page for companies. The 

campaign is due to be repeated in the coming months. 

Job-seeker ad campaign 

In October/November 2011 a four week campaign was run 

targeting job-seekers who were interested in benefiting from 

free training and getting the skills that Irish companies are 

looking for. Traffic was increased to our job-seeker ‘Find a 

Course’ page by 200%. 

This campaign will run again shortly. 

JSSp ad campaign 

A pilot campaign specifically targeting potential trainees for 

the Job-seekers Support Programme will be run in the coming 

months. It is envisaged that the campaign will run for 4 weeks 

initially. The key benefits of industry-specific training and 

relevant work placements will be emphasised in the ads for 

this campaign. 

Career Zoo 

Skillnets was one of a number of sponsors for the Career Zoo 

event (www.careerzoo.ie) that took place on the 11th and 12th 

of February in the Mansion House in Dublin. The exhibition 

targeted experienced professionals and graduates (employed 

and unemployed) who are exploring new career opportunities. 

Leading employers, top education providers, enterprise 

agencies and career-related services were in attendance. An 

estimated 10,000 people visited the event over the two days. 

As one of the event sponsors, Skillnets was extensively 

promoted throughout the media, both in the run-up to and 

during the event. The Skillnets logo featured on all advertising 

(print and outdoor) and Skillnets-branded bookmarks were 

included in all delegates’ bags. A Skillnets micro site was 

included on the Career Zoo website which directed people 

to our training search facility, as well as general information 

for companies, employees and job-seekers. Traffic to our ‘Find 

A Course’ page for job-seekers increased by 192% that week. 

The Skillnets stand was prominently located and attracted a 

lot of interest, predominantly from job-seekers. Two areas that 

were of particular interest to job-seekers at the event were the 

Job-seekers Support Programme (JSSP) and conversion courses. 

On the opening day of the event, Alan Nuzum, Skillnets CEO, 

delivered a two-handed workshop with Ericssons on ‘Conversion 

Courses for Tomorrow’s Skills’. Alan spoke of the benefits 

of conversion courses in general and detailed several of the 

networks’ success stories with these types of programmes. 

Joanna Piechota, Skillnets 

with a Career Zoo delegate 

Overview of event 


09


SkillnetS contribution 

to european policy 

Vet expert Seminar – 

Brussels, 10th February 2012 

Skillnets was recently invited to contribute to a high-level 

expert workshop on vocational education and training (VET) 

excellence in Brussels. The event, which was titled ‘The 

Contribution of Vocational Excellence to Smart Growth’, was 

organised by the European Commission Directorate General 

for Education and Culture. Skillnets was represented by Carl 

Blake, Senior Programme Manager. 

Five experts from the VET sector in Europe were invited to 

attend, including business representatives, funding agencies, 

academics and social partners. The other countries represented 

were Denmark, Holland, Spain and Hungary. The workshop 

was facilitated by Hanne Shapiro of the Danish Technological 

Institute. 

Amongst the many topics discussed on the day were flexible 

delivery models, the benefits of networking and co-funding 

strategies as key enablers for ensuring successful VET learning 

outcomes. As well as explaining the overall Skillnets funding 

model, Carl shared anecdotal evidence of network activity 

as best practice examples in this area, which were strongly 

endorsed by the other participants. The workshop findings 

will be included in a final European Commission (EC) report 

and policy document on the role of vocational excellence 

for smart and sustainable growth. 

10 


cedeFop workshop – 

Greece, November 2011 

In August 2011 Skillnets volunteered to participate in a detailed 

CEDEFOP telephone study on how the development of 

innovative ability (via informal or formal learning of employees) 

is addressed in public research and development programmes 

in Europe. 

As a result of this, Skillnets was invited to participate in a two- 

day workshop entitled ‘Innovation and Learning in Enterprises’ 

in Greece in November. Over 30 academics, researchers, 

funding agencies and social partners from within the EU and 

Norway attended, with Carl Blake, Senior Programme Manager, 

representing Skillnets. 

The two-day workshop explored the links between workplace 

learning and innovation by identifying and reviewing policy 

frameworks and programmes that foster innovation in enterprises 

by linking business development and skill development. 

Carl Blake gave a presentation on Skillnets and the TNP model 

in a thematic session entitled: ‘Fostering skill development and 

innovation in enterprises: Good practice examples’. Amongst 

the conclusions reached by the group was the vital role played 

by networks in stimulating innovation, particularly in SMEs. 

The final conclusions and all workshop materials (background 

paper, agenda etc are available online: http://www.cedefop. 

europa.eu/EN/events/18740.aspx 

CEDEFOP is the European Centre for the Development of 

Vocational Training, and has its headquarters in Thessalonika, 

Greece.


STUDy VISITS 

Over the past few months Skillnets has continued to be 

involved in a number of study visits organised by Léargas, 

both as a host organisation in Ireland and as attendees at 

visits around Europe. Léargas is the National Agency for 

the management of national and international exchange and 

cooperation programmes. 

‘Diversifying Vocational 

Education and Training 

to Amplify Employment 

Possibilities’ 

Joanna Piechota of Skillnets was one of 12 representatives 

from a range of vocational education and training institutions 

across Europe, who attended a three day CEDEFOP study visit 

in Madrid in October. The theme of the visit was ‘Diversifying 

vocational education and training to amplify employment 

possibilities’. The programme was hosted by the Spanish 

Public Employment Service. 

The main focus of the visit was cooperation between new 

vocational training centres and the business community. 

Many of the discussions and presentations throughout the 

visit looked at the opportunities that could be created by 

diversifying vocational training qualifications, including 

reducing unemployment and providing easier access for 

enterprise to a qualified workforce to adapt to the demands 

of today’s labour market. 

The visit provided a forum for discussion, exchange and learning 

on themes of common interest and on European and national 

priorities. By exchanging innovative ideas and practices, 

participants promoted the quality and transparency of their 

education and training systems. The visit was also an invaluable 

networking opportunity and a chance to meet potential partners 

for transnational collaborative future projects. 

The visit included discussions on a range of topics including the 

State Public Employment Service in Spain (SEPE), training for 

the unemployed, in-company training initiatives, apprenticeship 

system and opportunities. Participants also had the opportunity 

to learn about the Spanish education system by visiting 

schools, facilities and Public Training Centres in Madrid. 

‘Diversifying vocational education and training 

to amplify employment possibilities’ group. 

‘NFQ and EQF, Frameworks for Lifelong 

Learning’ group. 

‘NFQ and EQF, Frameworks 

for Lifelong Learning’ 

In October 2011, as part of the CEDEFOP Study Visits 

Programme, Skillnets hosted a visit with 12 representatives 

from a range of vocational education and training (VET) 

institutions across Europe, including Ministries of Education, 

universities and private enterprises that invest heavily in HR 

development. 

The visit focused on national and international frameworks 

for lifelong learning: the National Framework of Qualifications 

(NFQ) and European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Dave 


11


Continued from page 11 

Flynn and Mat Kujawa, Programme Support Managers, spoke 

about certification achievements and the impact of the NFQ 

on networks and learners. 

Network case studies were presented by Teresa Hanratty, 

Network Manager of Learning Waves Skillnet and Attracta 

O’Regan, Network Manager of the Law Society Skillnet/Law 

Society Finuas Network. 

‘New Opportunity Measures 

for Workers with Low Skills 

within the EQF’ 

In November 2011, Skillnets hosted a delegation of Spanish 

policy makers from the education, business and trade union 

sectors. The theme of this visit was ‘New opportunity measures 

for workers with low skills within the EQF’. 

Mick McHugh and Donal O’Donovan, Programme Support 

Managers, provided an overview of Skillnets with network case 

studies presented by Alacoque McMenamin, Network Manager, 

Women at Work Skillnet, Teresa Gallagher, IBEC Retail Skillnet, 

and Imelda Duffy, Network Manager, Leading Healthcare 

Providers Skillnet. 

12 


‘Challenges and Opportunities for Skills Development 

in the Labour Market’ group. 

‘Challenges and 

Opportunities for Skills 

Development in the Labour 

Market’ 

Recently, Skillnets hosted a visit with 14 representatives from 

a range of European vocational education and training (VET) 

institutions including the National Qualifications Authority, 

Ministry of Labour Policy, universities, private sector employers, 

employers’ representative body and training consultants. The 

theme of this visit was ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Skills 

Development in the Labour Market’. 

Dave Flynn and Joanna Piechota gave presentations on a number 

of programmes within the Skillnets framework: the Future 

Skills Needs Programme (FSNP) which was initiated last year, 

the Job-seekers Support Programme (JSSP) and the Skillnets 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. 

Ania Hazik, Network Manager, Union Learning Skillnet and Trish 

Breen, Network Manager of Waterford Chamber Skillnet both 

presented case studies on the day.


worklink 

Worklink is a not for profit company set up in November 2011 

to provide additional professional support to enhance the 

services and programmes within the State that are focused 

on helping job-seekers gain employment and valuable work 

placements. 

Services include: 

• Professional support to reduce employer’s time 

in providing high quality work placement opportunities 

• Promoting and providing information regarding labour 

activation schemes 

• Mentoring support to job-seekers through relevant 

job-seeker groups and organisations 

• Channelling the services of citizens and qualified 

training and service providers to help job-seekers 

transition back to employment 

Worklink has gained the support of partners such as the 

Chartered Institute Of Personnel And Development (CIPD) 

and Skillnets – with whom they are developing their regional 

networks, Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), 

the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises association (ISME), 

Chambers Ireland, FÁS, and JobBridge. They have also received 

sponsorship from such organisations as the Musgrave Group, 

Drury Communications, Rehab Group, Cpl, Baker Tilly, Bord Gáis, 

Towers Watson, KPMG, Accenture and Whitney Moore. 

Worklink’s service is provided through a network of volunteers 

who work directly with employers as programme managers 

to develop and implement a quality work placement. They also 

work with job-seeker bodies as career mentors to job-seekers. 

Worklink would welcome expressions of interest from anyone 

interested in volunteering, from employers wishing to learn 

more about their services, or from job-seeker bodies. 

With Worklink’s help, the plan I agreed 

with the employer included time for me 

to acquire skills I specifically wanted 

to develop. Four months into the work 

placement I was offered a job with 

a leading Multinational organisation – 

a job I could not have competed for 

without this experience. 

Jasminka Griffin 

The professional support of Worklink 

made the process painless. Worklink 

helped me to clearly define the role and 

a development plan that would maximise 

the benefit of the internship for both me 

and a prospective jobseeker. 

Morgan Cassidy, MD, Kube Solutions 

The provision, through Worklink, of much 

needed professional support and 

resources will be of great assistance 

to unemployed people seeking access to 

employment or internship opportunities. 

We very much welcome this initiative 

and look forward to continuing our 

association with Worklink. 

Brid O’Brien, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed 

For more information see www.worklink.ie 

or email info@worklink.ie. 


13

Network EVENTS 

Learning Waves Skillnet 

Independent Radio… a strong voice 

A group of up to 70 people from the 

radio industry at CEO and general 

management levels attended 

‘Independent Radio… a strong voice’ 

run by Learning waves Skillnet and 

launched by Minister for Communications, 

Energy and Natural Resources, Pat 

Rabbitte, T.D. In opening his address 

to the audience Minister Rabbitte said, 

“Learning Waves as part of Skillnets 

is supported by government to boost 

in-house training and the exchange of 

learning between companies within the 

sector.” Such network training, according 

to the Minister, tends to achieve higher 

Waterford Chamber Skillnet 

Business after Hours 

Waterford Chamber, in conjunction with 

waterford Chamber Skillnet, hosted its 

first Business after Hours event of 2012 

at ArcLabs at the Waterford Institute of 

Technology’s (WIT) Carriganore Campus 

at the end of February. The informal 

networking event was attended by local 

businesses and representatives of WIT. 

Professor Bill O’Gorman, Director at WIT, 

informed attendees about CEDRE (Centre 

14 


quality training and better value for 

money than other approaches. 

Speakers included: Jerry Kennelly from 

Tweak.com – ‘Realising your company’s 

vision’; Mark Richardson from the Europa 

Academy – ‘Psychology of Selling’; Niall 

Harbison from Simply Zesty – ‘Social 

Media for Radio’; Trevor Dann from Trevor 

Dann Company – ‘Future of Music Radio’. 

www.learningwaves.ie 

Minister for Communications, Energy 

and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, 

T.D. addresses ‘Independent Radio… 

a strong voice’. 

for Enterprise Development & Regional 

Economy) which provides a framework 

and environment for entrepreneurs, 

researchers, academics and policy makers/ 

implementers to engage in a mutually 

complementary manner to support 

economic growth and development in 

the region. Robert Leslie from Global 

Business Register spoke about his 

experience as a new startup company 

based in ArcLabs. 

www.waterfordskillnet.ie 

Robert Leslie from Global Business 

Register addressing Chamber members. 

Photo courtesy of John Power Photography. 

CITA Skillnet 

Building Information Modelling (BIM) 

CITA Skillnet ran the first in a series of 

networking events in the Royal College 

of Physicians, Dublin with 155 people 

in attendance. The event was the first of 

ten in the Building Information Modelling 

(BIM) series. David Philp, Head of BIM 

Implementation, Cabinet Office, London 

in the UK was the keynote speaker. 

www.cita.ie/skillnet

Network EVENTS 

Galway Executive Skillnet 

Positive Thinking 

Ireland’s top media guru, Terry Prone 

addressed a packed audience of Galway 

Executive Skillnet (GES) members and 

local businesses in Galway on the topic 

of ‘Positive Thinking and Motivation’. 

www.galwayexecutiveskillnet.com 

Adele O’Meallaigh, Galway Executive 

Skillnet (GES), Terry Prone, 

Communications Clinic, Bernadette Turley, 

Goodman Medical and Liz Cassidy, Irish 

Time Design. 

Tech Northwest Skillnet 

Tech Northwest Launch 

Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet 

Coming back from the Brink – network collaboration 

Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet collaborated 

with three other networks, waterford 

Chamber Skillnet, County Tipperary 

Skillnet and South East Micro Skillnet 

to host ‘The Business Summit – Coming 

back from the Brink’. The summit was 

attended by 90 business people across 

the South East. 

Changing or developing a business 

in a competitive landscape can be one 

of the greatest uphill struggles of an 

entrepreneur’s life. Over 97% of 

businesses operating in Ireland today 

are ‘small’ businesses, and the summit 

highlighted the role those in attendance 

had to play in coming back from the brink. 

Tech Northwest Skillnet is delivering 

a new series of training programmes 

specifically aimed at technology and 

knowledge companies based in the North 

West. LYIT is the promoting partner. 

Speakers provided valuable insights into: 

• Developing strategies for personal 

and business development 

• How to develop new products 

for your business 

• How to draw up a roadmap 

for success 

• Connecting with like minded business 

people to create opportunities 

Back row, left to right, Michael Kelly, 

Carlow CEB, Dr. Tony Humphreys, 

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Author 

and International speaker, Ashling Ward, 

Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, Blaise Brosnan, 

MC, Front Row, Gavin Duffy, Dragon’s 

Den Panelist, Media Coach and Columnist 

and Noel Joyce, Design Hub. 

At the launch of Tech Northwest Skillnet 

were Domhnall Hernon, Bell Labs Alcatel 

Lucent, Siobhan Grant, Tech Northwest 

Skillnet, Mat Kujawa, Skillnets, Lee 

Tedstone, Azucca Software, Padraig 

Gallagher, LyIT and John Andy Bonar, LyIT. 


15

Network NEwS 

Cloud Careers 

take to the skies again 

Over 150 job-seekers attended the 

launch of the ISA Software Skillnet Cloud 

Careers Programme 2012 on Wednesday 

15th February in VMWare in Cork. 

Presentations were given by VMware, VCE, 

Trend Micro, Abtran, and Quest Software 

on the opportunities for work placements 

within their companies. All companies 

are based in Cork and are highly active 

within virtualisation, software and other 

services in cloud computing. Two 

previous participants of the programme 

were in attendance, Ian O’Connor, who 

is now employed in the VMware licensing 

team and Eoin Hardwicke who is on work 

placement in VMware. 

In total, 83 applications were received 

for the nine-month work placement 

which incorporates 12 weeks structured 

training and accreditation for participants 

funded by Skillnets. Half of the total 

16 


training programme involves accredited 

training which host companies from the 

ISA Software Skillnet are providing free 

of charge and is delivered by expert 

internal trainers to the participant group. 

This has reduced the cost of the training 

as the network only funds part of the 

training provided under the programme. 

This shows a real commitment by 

companies to provide training, 

accreditation and work placements 

to the ISA Software Skillnet, giving 

participants a real conversion opportunity. 

The programme commenced on the 12th 

March with 25 participants. 

www.isa-skillnet.com 

Alan Nuzum, CEO, Skillnets with Ian 

O’Connor and Eoin Hardwicke, Cloud 

Careers Programme participants 2011. 

Photo courtesy of Gerard McCarthy. 

lessons from 

a Silicon Valley 

innovator 

The ISA Software Skillnet and the Irish 

Software Association (ISA), in partnership 

with Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), 

hosted a free seminar by US Product 

Management Guru – Rich Mironov, veteran 

technology strategist and author of ‘The 

Art of Product Management’, in January 

this year. 

Mr. Mironov addressed the topic of agile 

product management at the seminar. 

As recognition grows that market risk 

typically outweighs technical risk, the 

role of the product manager is one of 

increasing significance for Irish-based 

software companies. An open forum on 

agile product management and product 

ownership was hosted for those getting 

to grips with the challenge of working 

in an agile environment. 

Rich Mironov is the author of ‘The Art 

of Product Management’ and since 2002 

he has been writing ‘Product Bytes’, 

a blog on product strategy, technology 

and product management read by C-level 

product champions around the world. He 

writes and consults in the areas of agile 

product management, product ownership, 

and how to build commercially successful 

products with agile development teams. 

www.isa-skillnet.com

Network NEwS 

Life Sciences 

Skillnet presented 

with Quality 

Assurance Parchment 

In September 2011, the Life Sciences 

Skillnet was registered as a FETAC 

provider and was presented with the 

Quality Assurance Parchment on the 

11th of October 2011. 

A new FETAC award in Life Sciences 

Manufacturing Operations (Level 5) 

was published in March 2011. Much 

of this award has been based on the 

training material developed by the Life 

Sciences Skillnet and the IMDA Skills and 

Knowledge Working Group over the past 

10 years. As a result, and following much 

work by the industry, the sector now 

has a manufacturing award, certified on 

the National Framework of Qualifications 

(NFQ). 

The Life Sciences Skillnet developed their 

training and assessment programme 

in the workplace for the FETAC Level 

5 minor award ‘CI in Manufacturing’ 

in compliance with FETAC guidelines 

and were validated by FETAC in February 

2012. End of June 2012 is the target 

date for the first Life Sciences Skillnet 

trainees to be certified against CI in 

Manufacturing at FETAC Level 5. 

www.lifesciencesskillnet.ie 

Minister launches iSMe’S 

advance business programme 

Mark Fielding, CEO, ISME, Denis O’Callaghan, AIB and Minister 

for Small Business, John Perry, T.D. at the launch of ISME’s 

Advance Business Programme for Owner Managers. 

ISME Skillnet with the support of AIB 

launched the Advance Business 

Programme to assist SMEs in improving 

their businesses in December. The 

programme, which is specifically designed 

for owner managers, helps them to 

develop and implement their business 

improvement plans. AIB and ISME Skillnet 

part fund this certified SME Management 

programme, which is delivered at Griffith 

College Dublin. 

John Perry, T.D., Minister for Small 

Business, who formally launched the 

programme, said: “I am delighted to see 

that SME owner managers are keen to 

develop their management capabilities, 

as they are the backbone of the economy 

and it is vital that they go from strength 

to strength.” 

During the course of this programme the 

owner managers will complete a mentored 

improvement project, thus making a real 

impact on their own individual businesses 

with immediate results. 

Denis O’Callaghan, Head of Branch 

Banking AIB, stated that “AIB is very 

happy to continue to support this 

excellent programme. The benefits that 

participating SMEs achieve are very real 

and tangible, making the enterprises 

stronger and more profitable.” 

According to ISME CEO, Mark Fielding, “It 

is essential that SME owner managers are 

supported in every way possible so that 

they can improve their business, sustain 

employment and continue to grow.” 

www.isme.ie/training 


17

Network NEwS 

conceptS oF care 

– A Text Book for Health Care Assistants 

Leading Healthcare Providers (LHP) 

Skillnet launched a text book for 

Healthcare Assistants (HCAs), the seeds 

for which were initially planted in 2009. 

A suitable course reference book from 

an Irish perspective was not available 

for HCAs undertaking the FETAC Level 

5 Certificate in Healthcare Support. 

Margaret P. Treacy, Professor of Nursing 

at UCD, says 

“I believe it is an important 

contribution to the 

preparation of the HCA in 

Ireland. I welcome it especially 

because it supports and will 

contribute to the ongoing 

development of person- 

centred care delivery.” 

Eleven authors were selected based 

on qualifications, clinical expertise and 

availability and were either registered 

nurse tutors and/or specialists working 

in specific fields of care. Writing 

18 


commenced in October 2010 and the 

book was launched in December 2011. 

The Book: Ten chapters covering: 

• essential preparation for the role 

of the HCA 

• communication in the workplace 

• infection control 

• aspects of patients/residents safety 

• clinical aspects of care 

• mental health challenges 

• challenging behaviour 

• caring for patients/residents 

with dementia 

• ethics in healthcare and end 

of life care 

Feedback to date has been extremely 

positive, with demand coming from the 

libraries in the Centres of Nursing & 

Midwifery Education and VECs 

throughout the country where the course 

is run. Nursing home owners and directors 

of care see the text book as an extremely 

valuable educational tool for their HCAs 

which encourages lifelong learning. 

Visit www.lhpskillnet.ie to order a copy. 

Tracey Donnery and Mick 

McHugh, Skillnets and 

Imelda Duffy, Network 

Manager LHP Skillnet with 

the authors of ‘Concepts of 

Care – A Text Book for Health 

Care Assistants’. 

pilots GXp programme 

In December 2011, the PharmaChem 

Skillnet piloted a GXP (Good Practice 

quality guidelines and regulations) 

programme that was developed under 

the Future Skills Needs Programme 

(FSNP) fund. The steering committee of 

the network identified a gap in practical 

experience or knowledge of working 

in a regulatory environment by recent 

graduates coming into the industry. 

A new five day GXP programme was 

developed, piloted and delivered to both 

employees and job-seekers. It is hoped 

to have the programme certified in 

2012. The course was designed in two 

phases: an overview of the GMP (Good 

Manufacturing Practice) aspects of the 

life-cycle of a pharmaceutical product 

and the non-GMP aspects. 

Previous to the development of the 

programme, there was no specific training 

course available and it could take 

graduates up to two years to be upskilled 

in working in a regulatory environment. 

The course is not only for recent 

graduates but also designed for people 

recently recruited or promoted within 

the industry and for people on the 

live register looking to enter the 

pharmaceutical industry. The pilot 

programme was very well received 

and the feedback was excellent. The 

programme will be officially launched 

later this year. 

For further information contact 

susancostello@pharmachemskillnet.ie. 

www.pharmachemskillnet.ie

Network NEwS 

coacHinG in 

tHe workplace 

Managers at FEXCO in Killorglin are 

currently participating in a specifically 

designed pilot programme which will 

be fully rolled out in 2012. The aim of 

the programme is to provide managers 

with the skills and knowledge to act 

as workplace coaches. The programme, 

which has been organised and is being 

partly funded by South west Gnó 

Skillnet, is designed to allow participants 

to qualify for a FETAC Level 6 award 

in Coaching. The highly interactive 

programme is delivered over five days 

across three months and provides 

participants with the skills needed to 

develop advanced individual performance 

in those whom they manage. 

Underpinned by best practice theories 

and techniques, the programme enables 

delegates to explore their own patterns 

of learning behaviour and to develop 

an understanding of how workplace 

relationships can foster learning and 

performance. The programme features 

completion of a practical coaching project 

and culminates in a skills demonstration 

during which delegates carry out 

‘real-life’ coaching in a safe and nonthreatening 

learning environment. 

www.southwestgno.com 

Graduates of the BEng in Polymer Processing 

First Graduates of Online Bachelor of 

Engineering in Polymer Processing 

The first graduates of a unique course 

in Polymer Processing delivered jointly 

by Sligo and Athlone Institutes of 

Technology (ITs) were conferred recently, 

addressing what has been a growing 

skills shortage in the area nationally. 

The BEng in Polymer Processing was 

initiated and developed by First Polymer 

Training Skillnet after a series of 

meetings with the network’s steering 

group, industry groups, member 

companies and third level institutes, as 

well as a comprehensive industry-wide 

survey which determined that there was 

an ‘urgent’ need to address technical skills 

shortages. This is the only qualification 

of its kind currently available on the 

island of Ireland and is delivered online 

chiefly as a distance learning programme, 

with some practical sessions scheduled 

throughout the year. Funding for eleven 

places on the course was provided by 

First Polymer Training Skillnet. 

The course demonstrates the value 

of open and constructive engagement 

between industry and academic 

institutions. Marian Byron, Director of 

Industrial Products & Services Group 

with IBEC said that it’s important that 

academic institutions and industry work 

together in this way to react to skills 

shortages in important industries like 

polymer. “More than 11,000 people are 

employed in the plastics sector in Ireland 

and it’s essential that we ensure that 

our workforce is skilled to the level that 

employers need in order to sustain that 

level of employment here,” she said. 

Pat Whyte of Irish Micro Mouldings in 

Inverin in Co Galway was one of the 

employers involved in the development 

of the course and an employee of his 

company is amongst the first cohort 

of graduates from the BEng. “This course 

has filled a huge gap in education and 

training of much needed plastics 

engineers in several industries – 

particularly the medical device area, 

which was of particular interest to us. 

We are delighted to have one of our 

employees Jonathan Martin as one of 

the first graduates. Since the start of 

the course Jonathan has taken on more 

plastics based projects with great gusto 

and enthusiasm and Irish Micro Mouldings 

were already reaping the benefits long 

before the course finished. This was 

a win-win for all involved,” he said. 

www.firstpolymer.com 


19

Network NEwS 

Pictured at the launch of the BBS 

in Retail Management Practice are 

Charlie McGuigan, LyIT, Theresa 

Gallagher, IBEC Retail Skillnet, 

Dr. Karen McGuigan, LyIT, George 

Murphy, Penny’s, Sean Carlin, 

IBEC Retail Skillnet and Martin 

McElhinney, McElhinneys along 

with students enrolling for the 

programme. 

First work-Based Retail Degree Launched 

As part of its ongoing strategy, IBEC 

Retail Skillnet has worked in collaboration 

with Letterkenny Institute of Technology 

(LYIT) to develop a Bachelor of Business 

Studies (BBS) in Retail Management 

Practice. 

The degree was developed in direct 

response to sector demand for a retail 

specific qualification suitable for 

managerial staff, with a practical 

focus in the application of theory to the 

workplace, whilst also aligning with the 

Expert Group on Future Skills Needs 

(EGFSN) recommendations for the sector. 

The degree sits at Level 7 within the 

National Framework of Qualifications 

(NFQ), allowing those starting out 

on the skills framework to see a clear 

progression route/career path in retail. 

The degree embraces Recognition 

of Prior Learning (ROI) and Work-Based 

Learning, and offers participants a retail 

specific accredited qualification. 

20 


Sean Carlin states: 

“I would like to thank our 

partners in this project, LYIT, 

in particular Billy Bennett and 

his team at the Institute who 

have embraced the innovative 

nature of the project and 

recognised the importance 

of working with industry to 

develop programmes which 

address clearly identified 

education and skills needs.” 

Currently, the retail and wholesale 

sector is the largest employer in Ireland. 

According to the most recent figures 

published by the Central Statistics 

Office (CSO), 14.58% of those employed 

in Ireland are employed in the retail 

sector. These figures show just how 

important the retail sector is for the 

Irish economy as a whole. 

The BBS in Retail Management Practice 

is currently being run in Letterkenny IT 

and it will also run in Dublin in September 

this year. 

www.ibecretailskillnet.com

Network NEwS 

Launch of Graduate Diploma in 

Innovation – Services 

www.ilsf.ie 

Sharing best practice 

Innovation & Lean Sigma Skillnet (ILSS), 

in conjunction with EMC’s Ireland Center 

of Excellence (COE), welcomed its 

member companies including Elsevier, 

Bausch & Lomb, Boston Scientific, BSCI, 

Stryker, SR Technics, and GSK, to the EMC 

Ovens campus in October for a day of 

sharing best practices and networking. 

The purpose of the event was to share 

knowledge, innovation and continuous 

improvement ideas with the ILSS member 

companies across Munster and Ireland 

whose aims are to achieve sustained 

success and competitiveness by pursuing 

excellence in a challenging environment. 

Participants looked at the EMC innovation 

process and then took part in a discussion 

Innovation & Lean Sigma Skillnet’s 

North East Forum, in conjunction with 

IBM, launched the Graduate Diploma in 

Innovation – Services in February. This 

programme will give managers the tools 

and experience to assist their companies 

in improving performance, increasing 

competitiveness and helping differentiate 

and transform themselves for future 

growth and success. 

Participants will learn to explore and 

decide which new projects will best fit 

their company’s goals, then creatively 

deal with the challenges of design, 

implementation and management of 

service projects and innovations. 

Participants will focus on a shared 

non-company project during class days 

forum to review Operational Excellence 

(OE) practices (Lean, Six Sigma, continuous 

improvement, business and process 

excellence). 

The event was opened with an inspiring 

welcome message by Bob Savage, Vice- 

President and MD, EMC, followed by a 

presentation on EMC’s innovation show- 

case project to get everyone motivated 

for the theme of the day, which was 

generating innovative ideas to identify 

and resolve business challenges faced 

by the participants. 

Dermot O’Neill, Network Manager, ILSS 

commented – “The event demonstrated 

the essence of what ILSS is about – freely 

and an on-going in-company project 

between sessions. 

The programme is very flexible by 

nature, both in length of delivery and 

merits for outside class work. Options 

are: 12 sessions over three months 

which is the equivalent to a ‘Black Belt 

in Innovation’ or shorter programmes can 

also be offered – a two day introductory 

course would equate to a ‘White Belt in 

Innovation’ and a five day course would 

equate to a ‘Green Belt in Innovation’. 

The number of credits in a University 

Master’s Programme that can be offered, 

where merited, may also vary. A low 

level of outside-class work would receive 

five credits, while full course work merits 

up to 30 credits and the Diploma Award. 

sharing knowledge… The feedback 

I received from the participants is 

commendable to all concerned at EMC. 

Thank you again from ILSS and its 

participating members in allowing 

us to network, knowledge share and 

benchmark in an open, professional, 

and most of all friendly way.” 

Participants agreed to hold similar future 

events where they could set up and use 

a common forum to discuss their business 

challenges and formulate workable 

solutions. 

www.ilsf.ie 

Bob Savage, Vice-President and 

MD, EMC addressing the group. 


21

Finuas NEwS 

innovative use of technology 

Nationwide Enterprise-led Accessible Job-seeker Training 

In 2011 the Law Society Finuas Network and Law Society 

Skillnet made creative use of technology to deliver a number 

of online training courses to up-skill unemployed solicitors. 

These courses were funded by the Job-seekers Support 

Programme (JSSP). 

All the courses provided under this programme were designed 

originally as interactive on-site courses, and budgeted 

exclusively on this basis. However, the need for a new approach 

to course delivery was highlighted when it was brought to the 

networks’ attention that many of the job-seekers who were 

interested in the course could not afford to travel to Dublin 

or had family commitments that made it much more difficult 

or impossible to take part in the training. 

The networks’ initial response to this challenge was to have a 

consultation process which included the networks’ stakeholders 

and trainers, the IT department in the Law Society, numerous 

eLearning design and development companies and job-seekers. 

The solution they arrived at was to devise and design an 

eLearning platform that was cost-effective, allowed them 

to use existing resources and fulfilled all requirements. 

In order to achieve this, the networks had to be resourceful and 

creative with the technology they used, and keep costs down. 

One key element was getting agreement from all the lecturers 

on the on-site JSSP courses to consent both to their lectures 

being recorded, and to all learning aids developed by them 

being made available for hosting on the eLearning platform, 

at no additional cost to the network. 

The network used work iPhones to record lectures and Law 

Society iPads were used as a back up in the event that the 

iPhone storage file exceeded its capacity during the lecture. 

The network then commissioned an eLearning company, Learn 

Skills, to design a cost effective eLearning platform to hold 

all the recorded lectures and a Learning Management System 

(LMS). This platform was smart phone-compatible and provided 

back end reports which presented all the documents, details 

and activity logs required. 

22 


One of the most difficult challenges for the networks to 

overcome was finding a cost effective method of downloading 

the extremely large video files from the iPhone/iPad to a PC 

and then presenting them in a format which could be sent to 

the eLearning company for production. After a lot of research 

and trial and error, the network came up with a solution that 

involved a combination of two software packages: Herosoft 

which enables downloads of recorded lecturers from an iPhone/ 

iPad to a computer and Roxio to copy the downloaded video files 

from the computer to a DVD. The cost of production of lectures 

from a recorded file to delivery to the eLearning company was 

restricted to a nominal fee for software usage and staff time 

in learning and working with the new IT solutions. 

Participants were offered a choice of learner participation: 

on-site learning or eLearning. This use of technology enabled 

67 job-seekers, who would not otherwise have had access to 

the courses, to avail of the training. The use of this technology 

also contributed to reduced costs for training with an €11 cost 

per online training day compared to €47 per onsite training day. 

The online programmes each provided 15 days eLearning and 

additional private study of approximately 3 days. One of the 

courses that utilized this innovative technology in 2011 and 

made training more accessible to a greater number of people 

was the International Financial Services Corporate Governance 

Risk, Compliance and Investment Funds Programme. 

Based on the success of this approach, the Law Society Finuas 

Network and Law Society Skillnet will continue to use this 

technology in the delivery of their 2012 training programmes. 

The network is happy to share its knowledge and resource with 

any other network choosing to utilise this simple yet effective 

technology. 

For more information contact Attracta O’Regan at 

a.oregan@lawsociety.ie.

Finuas NEwS 

Green 

Finance 

Hub 

The Summit Finuas Network worked hand in hand with the 

Green IFSC initiative and Dublin City University (DCU) to create 

Ireland’s first postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Finance. 

The course was launched last September and the first class 

will graduate shortly. 

Over 20 people are taking part in this programme, from a range 

of IFSC companies including Bank of Ireland, ESBI, DAA, Arthur 

Cox, BNY Mellon, ESB Carbon and SIAC Wind Energy, PwC and 

Capita Financial. 

The course is highly applied as all participants are already 

experts in finance, law or project management. The programme 

allows participants to leverage the new learning to explore 

business opportunities. Participants develop a strategy and 

business plan for a sustainable business, product technology 

or finance vehicle. In this way the programme plays a key role 

in enabling the development of the Green IFSC strategy. 

One of the strongest outputs of the programme to date is the 

community of practice that is emerging. While an early stage 

cluster of green finance activity does exist in the IFSC, most 

of the companies and executives working in the area have been 

doing so in isolation. Now, as a result of the programme, a real 

network of expertise is developing. Programme participants 

are legal experts, domestic and international finance experts, 

project managers, entrepreneurs, fund managers and 

investment analysts. All are from companies exploring business 

opportunities in green finance – and through the programme 

they have now a real community of practice and a new peer 

network. 

As a result of the success of the first programme, the 

recognition of the development opportunity is growing across 

the IFSC. The DCU Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Finance 

will run again in September with a new cohort of participants. 

Later this year the Summit Finuas Network, in association with 

the Green IFSC, will expand their skills’ development strategy 

by launching the first Master’s Degree in Sustainable Energy 

Finance. 

Brian McMahon, Manager, Summit Finuas Network, Arlene 

Allen, General Manager, BNy Mellon Corporate Trust Ireland, 

Deirdre Barnicle, Solicitor Tax Advisor, McCann FitzGerald 

and Tracey Donnery, Finuas Programme Manager, Skillnets. 

what the companies have to say 

Joe Duffy, Country Executive for BNY Mellon in Ireland explained: 

“We are very pleased that BNY Mellon is taking part in the 

landmark Sustainable Finance postgraduate Certificate in 

DCU. The development of this type of innovative programme 

with the Summit Finuas Network is a key enabler for financial 

institutions to fully develop emerging business opportunities 

armed with this new level of specialist competence.” 

Similarly, Conor Kealy, Senior Project Accountant, EEA Ireland, 

said the course was an excellent resource: “I am Senior Project 

Accountant for EEA Ireland. EEA Ireland advises Trading 

Emissions PLC (TEP) which is an AIM listed renewable energy 

fund. I went on the course to deepen my understanding of 

renewable energy and the carbon markets, as they are highly 

relevant to my role on TEP.” 

www.summitfinuasnetwork.com 


23

Events CALENDAR 

April – May 

PDP Cluster meetings 

June 

Managing Network Finances Workshop 

July 

Network Marketing and Promotion Workshop 

*Dates may be subject to change 

The Training Networks Programme is an initiative of Skillnets Ltd. and 

is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of 

Education and Skills. 

Skillnets Ltd. registered in Ireland No. 298694 

Registered office: 5th Floor, Q House, 76 Furze Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18. 

Editorial Matters: 

We are delighted to bring you the first 

issue of ‘Skillnets News’ for 2012. 

Thank you to all those networks who 

contributed to this issue and we look 

forward to another issue in the third 

quarter of 2012. 

The editor welcomes contributions 

but reserves the right to edit or omit 

submitted material. No responsibility can 

be accepted for the loss of submitted 

material. Material from the Skillnets 

newsletter, unless copyright is indicated, 

may only be reproduced with written 

permission from the publishers. 

All contributions are welcome. Please 

send your news and photographs to the 

editor at the following address. 

The Skillnets newsletter is published by: 

Skillnets Ltd., 

5th Floor, Q House, 

76 Furze Road, 

Sandyford, Dublin 18. 

Editor: Sinéad McGovern 

NEWS 

Tel: 01 207 9630 

Fax: 01 207 9631 

Email: communications@skillnets.com 

www.skillnets.ie

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