Lifelong Learning UK is running a process of data collection about the workforce to ensure there is a better understanding of those operating in the lifelong learning sector.

We have been analysing and reporting labour market intelligence gained through the Staff Individualised Record (SIR) submissions received from further education (FE) colleges. Encouragingly, submissions for 2007/08 increased by 29% on the previous year and will provide our partners with a detailed profile overview of staff working in FE colleges.

As part of a data collection process revision, Lifelong Learning UK has now created an online consultation portal for all those involved in submitting data to discuss any aspects of the collection. The portal will enable frequent and simple interaction and will build a community of users to assist each other.

Tynan Rodger, Project Manager at Lifelong Learning UK said: “We’re really pleased with the response from further education colleges, and this year have opened up the collection process to work based learning and adult and community learning providers, which are also an important part of the workforce.”

He added: “Data collection is just one element enabling us to build a picture of the FE workforce but we also want to ensure we encourage an ongoing dialogue with providers. We are confident that the portal will be a welcome tool for providers to give us their feedback on the process.”

With the launch of the consultation portal, we are inviting FE colleges along with other training providers to log on to the portal, speak up and share their experiences of the collection process. This is fundamental to ensure its benefits are identified and necessary improvements are delivered.

We look forward to receiving the feedback and engaging in a constructive process to shape the future of data collection and support the development needs of all those working in this important sector.

Source: PublicTechnology.Net

Ireland – 25th June 2008 – Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Mary Coughlan TD, launched two new FÁS initiatives:

• Training of Workers with Lower Levels of Qualification
• SME Management Development

Ireland’s future economic prosperity will depend on the development of the skills of our workforce. We must continually upgrade the skills of those at work. It is through this process of constantly upskilling our workers that Irish companies will be able to secure a long term competitive advantage.

The SME Management Development initiative is targeted on the need for businesses to also develop the skills of their workforce and therefore enhance productivity and competitiveness. The training programmes are being constructed in such a way that the current and prospective, growth-related, needs of SMEs in Ireland are kept fully up to-date.

Speaking at the launch of the FÁS initiatives the Tanaiste said “In recent years, the Government has significantly increased funding through FÁS for the training and up skilling of persons in employment. This reflects our commitment to improving national competitiveness through training and development. These new FÁS initiatives, which over the next two years will deliver training and development to over 11,500 employed people, collectively represent a total investment of €19 million in the development of our workforce”.

The Tanaiste added “Experience has shown that well-trained managers, who realise the benefits of up-skilling for themselves, are also more likely to recognise the value of across-the-board training for other levels of the workforce.

This in turn facilitates and drives training for workers with lower qualifications. Therefore the suites of courses being launched today are in fact complementary to each other.

The initiatives being launched represent a major step forward in implementing Government policy in this regard, with the objective of ensuring that we have the best educated and most highly trained workforce possible in Ireland going forward”.

FÁS Director General Rody Molloy emphasised “It is those people at the lower end of the labour market who are now the most vulnerable to competition from low cost economies. It is their jobs, which can be most easily replicated. Many of these workers have low levels of skills and educational attainments. This has got to change. In future the key to long-term employment will be through a process of lifelong learning, where the skills of Irish workers, both of jobseekers and those already in employment, will undergo continuous upgrading throughout their careers and not just before they enter the workforce”

Source: FAS Press Release