Skillnets

"Skillnets" are approved training networks, consisting of groups of companies working together at the strategic level to establish industry standards, sectoral competencies and certification processes.

Skillnets Ltd is a new industry-led body established to promote and support training in enterprises. Skillnets Ltd was established in 1999 to provide a structure within which the Training Networks Programme would operate.

The Board of the company is comprised of six business / employer representatives (IBEC, SFA, CCI, CIF), three employee representatives (ICTU / SIPTU) and three representatives nominated by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Funding

The government has allocated €11.4 million over a three-year period. An additional sum of €2.1 million from the European Social Fund was made available to support the programme in 1999. Skillnets fund 50% - 75% of eligible project costs.

Objectives of Skillnets

• To establish training networks to address training needs of the member organisations

• To promote the active participation in the training programme of enterprises

• To facilitate an enterprise-led option to training

• To address the reluctance of individual enterprises to invest in training

• To develop flexible and effective methods of delivering training

• To examine innovative methods of promoting training

• To support value-added training initiatives