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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
Skillnets News • March 2012
17