Skillnets invests €36m in training

DESPITE the recent Bord Snip Nua/McCarthyReport proposals which include a cut to its funding, the state-financed training body Skillnets showed its worth by investing more than €36 million in developing workplace skills in 56,000 workers last year, according to its annual report just published.

Of the total investment, €25m came from the Government’s National Training Fund (NTF), with €11.5m coming from companies. In all, training activity was delivered by 123 Skillnet networks around the country.

“The development of people in organisations has attributed much to the economic success of recent years. The importance of using training to build organisational capacity, which leads to a knowledge-driven economy, should never be underestimated,” commented Skillnets chief executive Alan Nuzum.

“Knowledge and information are the key to today’s most advanced economies. In light of current economic circumstances, this investment in up-skilling people in employment should continue to be at the forefront of economic policy,” he added.

Last month’s An Bord Snip Nua report into proposals for wholesale public sector expenditure cuts said that €27m could be saved by ceasing the government funding of Fás and Skillnets services to business.

Skillnets chairman Domhnall MacDomhnaill added that the case for continued up-skilling of people in employment remains strong, even as the country’s unemployment rate continues to rise.

“In fact, a further increase in the level of training and up-skilling in present circumstances would greatly enhance the prospects for the survival and profitable growth of Irish businesses, particularly SMEs. Research shows the vital role which small and medium-sized enterprises play in fostering innovation, creativity, adaptability and employment generation,” he said.