Colleges urged to increase workplace training

THIRD-LEVEL colleges must supply a major increase in workplace training and e-learning the chair of the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) said at the weekend.

Peter Cassells, former head of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) said the rate and depth of change in businesses and public services is unlike anything seen here before.

There are many reasons for this, he told a conference examining ways of supporting and providing credits for learning in the workplace.

“People are leading more complex lives, placing more emphasis on personal development and access to learning, and seeking a better balance between family and workplace responsibilities.”

The NCPP was set up by the Government in 2002 to support and drive change in Irish workplaces.

He said there is a need for countries like Ireland to shift to higher-skilled, high value-added, high income jobs with a sustained increase in productivity, research and development.

“To make the transition to a knowledge-based, socially inclusive society and economy, a sustainable partnership must be developed between the workplace, both in public and private sector, and higher education,” he said.

“This will require significant improvements in access, in funding and in the delivery methods of higher education to the 1.9 million currently in employment.”

The conference organised by Cork Institute of Technology’s department of education development (DEIS) brought delegates from third-level institutions, e-learning companies and education awarding bodies.

Gearóid Ó Súilleabháin, e-learning projects co-ordinator with DEIS, said the important element is for colleges to develop and gain accreditation for courses which can be delivered in workplaces, with a particular emphasis on e-learning.

“This is at a very early stage globally but is an important step towards recognition of the fact that some of the most important learning is effected at work,” he said.