Skillnets

Established in 1999, Skillnets has a unique ethos and approach to the delivery of enterprise-led training and upskilling programmes for industry.  The Training Networks Programme (TNP) funds demand-led training through a network model, where companies from networks representing specific industry sectors or geographical regions co-operate to deliver training programmes specifically designed and adapted to current market requirements.

Since 1999, Skillnets has facilitated over 50,000 Irish enterprises, in over 300 networks to improve the range, scope and quality of training and allowed over 240,000 employees to upskill and meet their work related training needs.

In 2009 Skillnets embarked on designing a new programme with a renewed focus on the desired skills set for Ireland Inc. to continue to be a global player through new themes for the programme, an expansion of the profile of trainees and a funding model that delivers greater value for public funds.  The new themes, whilst continuing to address increased productivity and competitiveness focus on workers mobility and employability, emerging priority sectors, company diversification/transferability into different sectors and key competencies/skills for European workers.

A pioneering new feature of the programme is the provision of training for unemployed people.  Unemployed individuals will train with those in employment, thereby enhancing their knowledge of current market trends in the sector/region and improving their potential for employment through training and networking. 

Skillnets funds networks by co-investing with network member companies in the delivery of training.  Networks are co-financed at up to 50% by Skillnets which demonstrates a significant investment by enterprise.

The Skillnets Board includes representatives of the employer bodies; Irish Business & Employers Confederation, Chambers Ireland, Construction Industry Federation, Small Firms Association, as well as representatives of employee bodies through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and also representatives of the Minister for Education and Skills.

Skillnets is funded from the National Training Fund (NTF) through the Department of Education and Skills (DES).

For further information please visit: www.skillnets.ie