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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 Skillnets News • March 2012 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 Skillnets News • March 2012 23
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