New Skillnets fund to help firms train staff and meet skills needs

SKILLNETS – the national agency responsible for funding and supporting training networks – has announced details of a new fund to support private sector businesses by helping them address their current and future skills needs.

A group of businesses from the same sector or region can collectively apply to establish a Skillnets training network, and draw down funds to develop and deliver 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.

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.

The agency already supports over 60 training networks in a wide range of 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 later in the year on October 3. For groups of businesses interested in developing a new training network and applying for the training fund, full details are available on www.skillnets.ie/funding.

Photo Domnick Walsh Donal Whlton AIB , Joe Shannon AIB Tralee , John O’Sullivan Manager Lee Strand and Padraig O’Connor AIB Tralee Pictured at the AIB Agri Business Breakfast Briefing on the “SBCI Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan “held at the Ballygarry House Hotel in...