Cork businesses encouraged to apply to Skillnets

SKILLNETS – the national agency responsible for funding and supporting training networks – has announced details of a new training fund that will support private sector businesses in Cork.

A group of businesses from the same sector or region can collectively apply to establish a Skillnets training network, and draw down funding support for the development and delivery of training. Established training networks enable groups of businesses to work together to determine their own training needs and how, when and where training will be delivered. Participating businesses are of all sizes and the fund is also open to applications from industry federations, industry bodies or enterprise groups.

Brendan McGinty, Skillnets Chairman said: “Ensuring Ireland has the quality and quantity of skills needed for business to grow is a key element of the Government’s economic and employment strategy. The Skillnets enterprise-led model has proven itself to be innovative and adaptable to the ever-changing needs of enterprise, supporting businesses in working together to identify and meet the skills requirements in their industry.”

Investment at enterprise level in the skills of employees can help businesses to remain competitive and can create significant additional value such as improved productivity and increased profits. Other benefits include greater staff engagement, which drives employee retention in what is an increasingly competitive job market, he added.

These business benefits can be accomplished with relatively low investment through engagement with the Skillnets training network model.

Skillnets operates under a joint investment model whereby training networks can apply to receive up to 50 per cent of the cost of training from Skillnets, and the remainder of costs are funded in matching contributions from participating businesses in the training network. Skillnets already supports over 60 training networks in sectors including life sciences, manufacturing, information technology, food/beverage, financial and agriculture, and mixed sectoral training networks across many regions.

The first closing date for the new funding call is April 3, with a second closing date on October 3. For groups of businesses interested in developing a new training network and applying for funding, go to www.skillnets.ie/funding or direct contact can be made with a member of the Skillnets team: funding@skillnets.com / 01-2079630.