Skillnet networkS Scoop awardS - Skillnets

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
Skillnets News • March 2012
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