Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020 - Solas

Strategic Performance Agreement

2018 – 2020

Galway and Roscommon

Education and Training Board

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iiiStrategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board

1. Introduction 1

2. ProfileoftheETBRegion 3

3. ETBFETProvision 5

3.1 StaffingandInfrastructure 5

3.2 FET Provision 9

4. ETBStrategicPriorities 12

4.1 ETBFETStrategicPriorities 12

4.2 RisksandChallenges 14

4.3 DeliveringonFETRelevantNationalPolicies

andStrategies 15

5. ETBContributiontoNationalFETStrategy

andTargets 17

5.1 SkillsfortheEconomy 17

5.2 ActiveInclusion 18

5.3 Quality Provision 18

5.4 Outcomes-basedPlanningandFunding 19

5.5 Standing of FET 19

5.6 ETBContributiontoNationalFETTargets 20

6. Performance Agreement 22

AppendixA:GRETBContributiontoNationalFET

SectorTargets 24

AppendixB:ExplainingtheTargets 27

TableofContents

iv

1. Introduction

1Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020


Introduction

ThisagreementbetweenSOLASandGalwayandRoscommonEducation

andTrainingBoard(GRETB)setsoutthecontext,strategicprioritiesand

ETBcontributiontoachievementof keynationalfurthereducationand

training(FET)sectortargetsovertheperiod2018-20.Italsoarticulates

theETB’scommitmenttosupportingtheimplementationofarangeof

nationalpoliciesandstrategiesrelevanttoFETprovisionandidentifies

thekeyrisksandchallengeswhichmustbemitigatedandaddressedin

ordertoensuresuccessfuldeliveryofthisagreement.Theagreementis

theproductofextensivedialogueandengagementbetweenSOLASand

GalwayRoscommonETB,withindependentinputandvalidationfroma

panelofexpertswithanunderstandingofIrishandinternationalgood

practiceinfurthereducationandtrainingsystems.

2

2. Profileofthe ETBRegion



Section 2

ProfileoftheETBRegion

WhilethepopulationofbothGalwayandRoscommon

hasbeengrowingsince2011,growthhasbeen

relativelymodestincomparisonwiththerestofthe

country,witha3%expansionoccurringinGalway

and0.7%beingrecordedinRoscommon.GRETBis

thesecondlargestETBinthecountryintermsof

geographicalareaandincludesthreeislands.

Intermsofthelearnerprofile,therewere16,238

beneficiariesaccessingFETcoursesinGRETBin2017.

3,209oftheselearnerswereonfulltimeprogrammes

andtheremainderwereaccessingpart-timeprovision.

Theoverallregionalunemploymentratecategorisedby

theCSOastheWestincludesGalway,Roscommonand

Mayo.TheoverallunemploymentratefortheWesthas

fallento6.9%,marginallyslowerthanthatintheeast

ofthecountry.Therearethreeeconomicblackspots

intheGalwayRoscommonregion,twointhewestof

CountyGalwayinScainimh-CillChiaráin,Carna,(34.3%)

andGaruma-Leitirmór,Leitirmealláin,(31.8%).Theother

blackspotisBoyleUrban(27.1%)inCo.Roscommon.

Intermsofemployment,theregionboastsastrong

networkofindigenousandmultinationalcompanies

intheMedicalDevice,BiomedicalandInformation

CommunicationsTechnologysectors.Recognised

globallyasaMed-techclusterregion,ithasthehighest

proportionpercapitaemployedinmedicaltechnology

inEurope.Thisisfurtherenhancedwiththegrowthin

lifesciencesandpharmaceuticaljobsinRoscommon

inparticular,andthegrowthofGalwayasasignificant

hubfortechnology,mostnotablyininternetand

collaborativetechnologies.Thecreative,hospitality,

andtourismindustriesarealsobuoyantintheregion

accountingforthelargenumbersofindividualswho

areself-employed.

Thereare16,000activeenterprisesintheregion,

91%ofwhicharesmallormediumsizedenterprises.

Manufacturingaccountsforover16%ofindustryinthe

west,withagriculture/forestry/fishingaccountingfor

9%ofemploymentintheregion,withahigherthan

averageconcentrationofthesesectorsthannationally

within GRETB.

Ofthealmost200,000peopleintheregionallabour

forceattheendof2015,22%wereself-employed.

Industryaccountedforthelargestemployment

providerwithalmost30,000employeesfollowedby

health,andwholesale&retailat25,000and21,000

employees respectively.Almost39,000areemployed

inskilledtradeoccupationswithfarmersaccounting

formorethanathirdofthese.Medium-hightech

manufacturingprovidesfor45%ofallemploymentin

themanufacturingsectorwhilsttheaccommodation

andfoodsectoremploysover11,000people

POPULATION

323,096 UNEMPLOYMENT

6.9%(Source:2016Census)

GRETBArea2016

4

3. ETB FET Provision



Section 3

ETBFETProvision

3.1StaffingandInfrastructure

GRETBemploysover1,800staffwithalargeproportion

oftheseworkingintheFETdepartment.TheDirector

ofFurtherEducationandTrainingisultimately

responsibleforallactivityintheFETDepartmentand

forthestrategicdirectionofthesection.TheDirector

reportstotheChiefExecutive.ThemanagementofFET

provisionisprovidedbyPLCprincipals,AdultEducation

Officers,TrainingCentreManagersandTrainingCentre

AssistantManagers.Thecoreofthestaffresourcesis

inteacher,tutororinstructorgrades.Thesegradesare

thekeytothedeliveryofhighqualityFurtherEducation

andTrainingprovision.Thedeliveryofprogrammes

isbackedupthrougharangeofsupportstaffwhich

includeadministration,caretakers,centrecoordinators,

developmentstaffandguidanceandinformationstaff.

Therearecurrently40FurtherEducationandTraining

CentresacrossGalwayandRoscommonbasedinthe

maincentresofpopulation,asmappedoutbelow.

Director of FET

AEO AEO AEO Training Centre

Manager PLC Principals

Literacy

BTEI

VTOS

ESOL

Adult Guidance & Recruitment

FARR/PLSS

Youthreach

Youth Officers

Youth Advocates

QA

PD

Curriculum Development

Community Education

LTIs

STP

Co-operation Hours

Drugs Task Force

Justice

Workshops

Apprenticeships

Traineeships

Contracted Training

Recruitment

Services to Business

Eve/Saturday

Provision

Post Leaving Cert Provision:

Galway Technical Institute

Galway Community

College

6

VISION To actively lead the provision of high quality

education and training programmes and services that respond to the changing needs of

learners and society

STRATEGIC GOALS

MISSION To support individuals through learning, to achieve their full potential

and contribute to social, cultural and economic development

Goal

1Improve the learning experience and success of learners

Goal

2Improve the progress of learners at riskof disadvantage, those with special needs or with language, cultural or social differences

Goal

3Provide high quality education and training programmes

Goal

4Ensure our organisational infrastructure(people, process and structure) isefficient and effective

CORE VALUES

Accountability

InnovationLeadership

Inclusivity Collaboration

GRETB STRATEGY STATEMENT 2017 – 2021

Empowering People For Life



GRETBCentres2017

AdultLiteracy,Youthreach,BTEI,VTOS,PLC,LTIs,Co-operationHoursCentres,GRETBTrainingCentre,

ContractedTrainingCentres,CommunityTrainingCentre&SpecialistTrainingProviders

2

1

3

4 5 3

2

4

6

7

5

x

1

2

4

3

1

1

2

7

9

13 14

18

19

15

1

2

17

4

3

5

9

18

19

11

10

15

14

9

13

8

11

12

10

5

6

2

1

3

x

1

2

4

3

5

8

4

2

6

6

8

13

14

x

15

16

17

12

7

3

21

16

5

12

10

20

11

8

3

4

6

7

4

1

1

12

7

6

AdultLiteracy

1. Clifden

2. Letterfrack

3. Oughterard

4. Cashla

5. Moycullen

6. InisMean

7. Galway City

8. Gort

9. Portumna

10.Loughrea

11. Coolarne

12.Ballinasloe

13. Tuam

14. Ballygar

15. Monksland

16.Dunmore

17. Roscommon Town

18.Castlerea

19.Ballaghaderreen

20.Athenry

21.Headford

8

Youthreach

1. Ballaghaderreen

2. Roscommon Town

3. Ballinasloe

4. Portumna

5. Galway City

6. Tuam

7. Letterfrack

8. LeitirMór

BTEI

1. Clifden

2. Letterfrack

3. Cashel

4. Glinsk

5. Rosmuc

6. Oughterard

7. Moycullen

8. Headford

9. Galway City

10. Gort

11. Loughrea

12. Tuam

13.Dunmore

14. Castlerea

15. Boyle

16. Croghan

17. Monksland

18.Ballinasloe

19. Portumna

VTOS

1. Letterfrack

2. Galway City

3. Rosmuc

4. Tuam

5. Roscommon Town

6. Castlerea

7. Boyle

PLC

1. GalwayCityGTI

2. Galway City GCC

3. Athenry

4. Mountbellew

LTI

1. Castlerea:RoscommonWomen’sNetwork

2. Castlerea:AnChistin

3. Ballaghaderreen

4. Strokestown

5. Portumna

Co-operation

1. Clifden

2. Casla

3. Carraroe

4. Carrowbrowne

5. GalwayCityx7centres

6. Kinvarra

7. Gort

8. Ballyglunin

9. Athenry

10.Tuamx3centres

11. Mountbellew

12.Castlereax2

13.Ballinasloe

14. Ballaghderreen

TrainingCentre

1. GRETBTrainingCentreMervue

ContractedTraining

1. Galway City

2. Tuam

3. Loughrea

4. Roscommon Town

5. Ballaghaderreen

6. Carraroe

CommunityTrainingCentre

1. Galway City

SpecialistTrainingCentre

1. Galway City

2. Castlerea



3.2FETProvision

IncommonwithallETBs,FETprovisionisspread

acrossamyriadofdifferentprogrammes,assetoutin

thetablebelow.CentralSOLASfundingof€34.4m is

supportinginexcessof17,000beneficiaries1fromthe

provision.Theprofileofprovisionbyskillsclusterisset

outinTable1.Thisshowstheconcentrationofprovision

inareaslikehealth,familyandsocialservices,business

andICTrelatedskills.

GRETB2017

NOSCOMMENCINGCOURSES

14,134

NOSCOMPLETINGCOURSES

12,169

NOOFOVERALLBENEFICIARIES

17,038

10

Table12017FETProvisionbySkillsCluster

TotalActual

Beneficaries

%ofTotal

Beneficaries

Agriculture,HorticultureandMariculture 310 1.82%

AnimalScience 95 0.56%

Art,CraftandMedia

Arts&Crafts 501 2.94%

BuiltEnvironment 243 1.43%

Business,Admin&Management 0.00%

Business,Administration 1,157 6.79%

CoreICT 532 3.12%

CorePersonal 4,707 27.63%

Engineering

Engineering(Electrical) 33 0.19%

Engineering(IT) 31 0.18%

Engineering(Mechanical) 153 0.90%

Engineering(Transport) 69 0.40%

Entrepreneurship 129 0.76%

FinancialServices 52 0.31%

FoodandBeverage 73 0.43%

GeneralLearning 3,662 21.49%

Hairdressing,BeautyandComplementaryTherapies 288 1.69%

Health,FamilyotherSocialServices 2,568 15.07%

InformationTechnology 297 1.74%

Management 70 0.41%

Manufacturing 325 1.91%

MediaGraphicsCommunications 420 2.47%

ResearchandEducation-Training 20 0.12%

Sales&Marketing 155 0.91%

SamplingSkills

ScienceandTechnology 37 0.22%

Security,Guarding&EmergencyServices 200 1.17%

SkillsSampling,GeneralLearning&CorePersonal 173 1.02%

SportandLeisure 271 1.59%

Tourism 57 0.33%

TourismandSport

Transport,Distribution&Logistics 331 1.94%

WebDevelopment&Design 79 0.46%

Total 17,038



4. ETBStrategic Priorities

12

Section 4

ETBStrategicPriorities

4.1ETBFETStrategicPriorities

TheGRETBstrategystatement2017-2021,‘Empowering

PeopleforLife’,setoutfourstrategicgoals:

― Improvethelearningexperienceandsuccessof

learners

― Improvetheprogressoflearnersatriskof

disadvantage,thosewithspecialneedsorwith

language,culturalorsocialdifferences

― Providehighqualityeducationandtraining

programmes

― Ensureourorganisationalinfrastructure(people,

processandstructure)isefficientandeffective.

Buildingonthesegoals,arangeofstrategicpriorities

fordevelopmentofFEThavebeenidentified,andthese

arefurtherdiscussedbelowbelow.

GalwayRoscommonETBintendsconcentratingon

maintainingandimprovingahighqualityFurther

EducationandTraining(FET)provisionforlearnersand

businessesinGalwayandRoscommon.Itwilldosoby

committingtothefollowingareas:

4.1.1LiteracyIntegration

GRETBintendstobuildonthekeyaimsandobjectives

oftheNationalandGRETBLiteracy&Numeracy

Strategy,includingvia:

― Developmentofanintensivewritingcoursefor

ESOLLearners(B1)standardtopreparethemfor

Level4courses.

― ProvisionoftargetedCPDintheintegrationof

literacyandnumeracytoTrainingCentreandthe

broaderFETstaff.

― Deploymentofthebestpracticeguidelinesand

toolkitonassessingadultliteracyandnumeracy

― FocusedInitialassessmenttrainingprovidedtoFET

programmestaff

― Buildingonsignificantsuccessintheprovision

oftargetedinterventionsandsupportsfor

apprenticesandtrainees.

― StrengtheninglinkswithPLCandVTOS

programmestoprovidestudyguidesand

Literacyforlearners.

4.1.2GuidanceandCourseRecruitmentService

GRETBwillestablishaworkinggrouptofullyintegrate

theguidanceandcourserecruitmentservices.This

workinggroupwillalsocoordinatethedevelopment

ofaguidanceandcourserecruitmentservicestrategy.

Thiswillsupporteffortstodevelopmuchclearer

learnerpathwayspriorto,duringandfollowing

engagementinFET,includingforcontinuousupskilling

onceinemployment.

4.1.3TechnologyEnhancedLearning

TheresponsibilityforTELhasbeenassignedtoanAEO

tomanage,aTELSteeringCommitteeisinplaceand

membershipwillbeexpanded.ATELCoordinatorhas

beenappointed.GRETBwillimplementTELCPDfor

staffat3levels:

1. Engaging:Staffwillparticipateinashort‘Learnto

Learnonline’course.

2. Developing:Staffwillparticipateina‘developing

onlineresources’course.

3. Embedding:Staffwillparticipateina‘Developing

VirtualLearningEnvironments’(VLE)course.

GRETBwillexpanditsblendedlearningcourses

throughtheprovisionofaVLEforstaffandupskilling

stafftodevelopandmaintainonlinecourses.GRETB

willpromote‘TELChampions’acrosstheFET

departmenttoassistinintegratingTELintoallcourses.

4.1.4EmployerandEmployeeEngagement

TheEmployerEngagementCommitteehasbeen

establishedwithrepresentativesacrossallFET

provisionandstaffingtheEmployerEngagement

Unitwillbeprioritised.Staffplacementwithlocal,

regionalandEuropeanemployerswillbeencouraged

andsupported.Awebpageforemployerinterface

withGRETBisbeingdesigned.Thiscommitmentto

employerengagementwillalsobelinkedtoprioritising

theaccessto,anddevelopmentof,provisiontomeet

theneedsofthoseinemployment,particularlywith

lowerskillslevels.Inthisregard,GRETBwillworkwith

SOLAStosupporttheeffectiveimplementationof

‘SupportingWorkingLivesandEnterpriseGrowth’,a

2018-2021FETpolicyframeworkforskillsdevelopment

ofpeopleinemploymentoverthisperiod.



4.1.5EnhancedHigherEducationLinks

Quarterlymeetingswillbeheldwith3rdlevelproviders

tofacilitatemoreacceleratedentryfromLevel6

programmesinto2ndyearwillcontinue.GRETBwill

reviewandadaptcoursecontentinconjunctionwith

3rdlevelproviderstoensurethatourlearnershavethe

skillsandknowledgetoprogresstoandsucceedin

3rdlevele.g.Accountancyofferingsatlevel5tolead

into 3rdlevelBusinessprogrammes.Progressionto

highereducationisanimportantaspectofGRETB’sPLC

provision,anditiscurrentlyestimatedthat51%ofPLC

learnersgoontostudyinhighereducation.Overthe

periodofthisagreementwewillaimtoconsolidateand

buildonthisprogressionrate.

4.1.6IncreasingtheRetentionofLearners

Astrategytoincreaseretentionoflearnerswillbe

progressedincluding:

― Expansionofpre-assessmentoflearnersacross

allprogrammeswilltakeplacetoensurelearners

areappropriatelyplaced.

― Continuedintegrationofliteracy,ITandnumeracy

supportsacrossallFETprogrammes.

― AmalgamationofAdultGuidanceand

CourseRecruitmentservicestoprovidebetter

informationtolearnersbefore,duringandon

completionofcourse.

4.1.7Traineeships

GRETBwillsubstantiallyincreasethenumberof

TraineeshipplacesavailableinGalwayandRoscommon

overthenext3years,viaarangeofinitiativesincluding:

― AnTraineeshipinEngineering/Manufacturingisin

developmentinresponsetoindustrydemand.

― AnumberofVTOSprogrammeswillbecome

TraineeshipsincludingaChildcarecoursein2018

andotherssuchasBusinessAdministrationto

follow.

― DevelopingTraineeshipsinMari-cultureand

theMarineinlinewiththedevelopmentofthe

MarineParkinCillChiaráin.GRETBdeveloped

theAquaculturelevels3to6programmesin

partnershipwithBordIascaighMhara,these

programmeswillcontinuetobeofferedin

partnershipandinconsultationwithBIM,Údarásna

Gaeltachtaandemployers.

― AnEquestrianTraineeshipinRoscommonisin

developmentinresponsetoarequesttosupport

tourismamenitiesintheRoscommonregion.

― AseriesofmeetingshavetakenplaceandGRETB

participatedinthose,withSOLAS,localproduction

companiesandTG4toworkonthedevelopmentof

anewtraineeship.Oneareawhereaskillshortage

wasidentifiedwasintheareaofmulti-skilled

mediaproduction.TheMediaProductionAssistant

Traineeshipisbeingdevelopedinpartnershipwith

LCETBandScreenTrainingIrelandandwillbe

availableinJan2019.

― ALaboratoryTechnicianTraineeshipisproposed

for autumn 2018.

― GRETBhasbeenpartoftheSOLASHospitality

workinggroupandweplantorolloutthe

HospitalityTraineeshipannually.

― AnInternationalTradeandLogisticstraineeship

isintheplanningphaseandwehopetorollthis

traineeshipoutinearly2019.

― GRETBisdevelopingatraineeshipinLanguages

andICT,thisagainisinresponsetoarecognised

needbyemployersforcompetencyinforeign

languages.Itisproposedtohaveamobilityaspect

tothistraineeship.GRETBexpectstohavethis

traineeshiponofferinQ12019.

4.1.8DevelopmentofNewApprenticeships

GRETBisverycommittedtothedevelopmentofnew

apprenticeshipprogrammestomeettheneedsofthe

region.Itisinvolvedinarangeofprogrammes:

― AnArboristApprenticeshipisindevelopmentand

thefirstintakeofapprenticesisscheduledfor

quarter42019.

― TheAccountingTechnicianIrelandApprenticeship

willhaveafirstintakeinSeptember2018.

― NetworkEngineerApprenticeshipwillberolled

outinSeptember2018.Thisisinpartnershipwith

FIT.

― GRETBiscollaboratingwithMSLETBonthe

ButcheryApprenticeshipandLCETBonthe

HairdressingApprenticeship.

― GRETBisacollaboratingproviderontheCommis

ChefApprenticeship.

4.1.9ProfessionalDevelopment

TheDirectorofFETforGRETBisontheNational

ProfessionalDevelopmentAdvisorySteeringGroup

whichisinstrumentalindesigningtheCPDframework

forFET.WithinGRETB,anAEOhasresponsibilityfor

CPDandsitsontheETBIworkinggroup.Askillsaudit

ofstaffisunderwayinGRETBtoidentifywhatareasof

CPDneedtobeprioritisedandanactionplanwillbe

progressedtoreflecttheidentifiedpriorities.Acalendar

ofCPDeventswillalsobeprogressedtoreflectthe

identifiedpriorities.Thefirstareatobetargetedin

September2018isTELwithaGRETBwiderolloutof

trainingatengaging,developingandembeddinglevels.

ThreemembersoftheGRETBseniormanagement

teamwillbeparticipatingintheDiplomainBusiness

(ChangeManagementinFET)programme

14

4.1.10DevelopmentofTourismand

HospitalityProvision

ThegeographiclocationofGRETBensuresitis

ideallyplacedtoleadoutonavarietyoftourismand

hospitalitycourses.Thereisalreadyanestablished

tourismandhospitalitysectorintheregionandtheWild

AtlanticWayhasgreatlyenhancedtourismrevenue

incoastalareas.TherecentlylaunchedBluewayis

expectedtosupportthedevelopmentoftheindustry

alongtheShannonandGRETBwillbeprovidinga

numberofcoursesbothfullandpart-timetothose

alreadyworkinginthesectorandthoseseekingtogain

employmentinthissector.TheLocalandRegional

Guidingprogrammes,includingananglingspecialism,

willbeofferedtocommunitiesdevelopingthetourism

productalongparticulartourismtrails.GRETBin

partnershipwithKETBledthedevelopmentofthese

QQIvalidatedprogrammesincollaborationwithFáilte

Ireland.Inaddition:

― BTEIwillcontinuetooffertheQQILevel4Culinary

SkillsCoursewhichincludesmodulesinKitchen

Skills, Menu Planning and Short –order Cooking.

Allmodulesarerecognisedbyemployersas

essentialwhenpreparinglearnersforemployment

inthehospitalitysector.Thiscoursealsoprovides

apathwayforprogressiontootherFET/HE

courses,andshouldbeofparticularrelevanceto

hospitalitytraineeshipsandthenewcommischef

apprenticeship.

― AnLTIinProfessionalCookeryatLevel5is

deliveredinCastlereaasaresponsetoarequest

fromthecommunitytosupportlocalhospitality

enterprises.

― NationalandLocalandRegionalTourGuiding

courseswillcontinueandexpandonapart-time

basisincludingintheunemploymentblackspots

andtheseareavailabletopeopleinemployment

andaswellasthosenotinemployment.

4.2RisksandChallenges

GRETBisconsciousofchallengesintheperiodofthis

StrategicAgreement2018-2020andwillactivelystrive

toensurethosearemetandovercome.Anawareness

ofthefluidityoftheeconomiclandscapeandthe

challengesthatcreatesensuresourresponsesto

courseprovisionareSMARTinthattheyarespecific,

measurable,achievable,realisticandtime-bound.

GRETBiscommittedtothepracticeofongoingreview

ofFETprovision.Thepurposeofthisreviewistoensure

thatprogrammesandcoursesprovidedarerelevant

andrespondingtotheneedsoftheeconomyatboth

nationalandlocallevel.Thisprocessofreviewwill

identifycourse/subjectareaswhicharenolonger

relevantandmayhavetobereducedinnumberor

discontinuedasaresult.Newcourse/subjectareas

mayberequiredandthiswillentailarealignment

ofresourcesandupskillingofstafftotakeonnew

opportunities.

Thechangingneedsoflearnersandemployersas

identifiedintheNationalSkillsStrategywillrequire

GRETBstafftoupskill.Thisupskillingmayincludethe

developmentofnewskills/subjectareasandupdating

existingexpertiseinnewapproachestoteachingand

learningsuchastheuseofTEL.Thisupskillingwill

beessentialifGRETBistoremainresponsiveand

relevant.ThenationalandlocalCPDstrategieswillbe

keytomeetingthischallenge.TheGRETBFETDirector

alongwithseniorstaffinGRETBhavebeenproactive

inthedevelopmentoftheSOLASTELframeworkand

arecommittedtosupportingstaffinengaginginTEL

activities.TheengagementofstaffinCPDwillbea

challengeforGRETBhoweverifCPDisplannedina

constructivewaytoensureeaseofaccessforstaffand

isdeliveredinawaythatfacilitatesstaffinvolvement

thiscanbeovercome.ThenewTELCPDlevels6,7

and8whichwillbeonofferintheautumn2018willbe

availabletostaff.FundingforCPDislimitedhowever

GRETBhasputadedicatedCPDbudgetinplaceand

hopestobuildonthisinthecomingyears.

Theprofileofthelongtermunemployedandthose

ontheliveregisterhasnowchanged.GRETB’s

consultationswiththeDEASPshowthatthosenow

remainingontheliveregisterhaveinmanycasesmore

complexneedsandwillneedadditionalsupportsand

flexibleresponsestomeettheseneeds.Therewillbea

greaterneedforguidanceandrecruitmentservicesfor

learners.Therewillbeaneedforadditionalpreparation

forworkcoursesandcourseswhichprovidelearners

withanopportunitytoexplorearangeofskillareas

beforemovingontospecialiseinspecificskillareas.

TheLiteracyandNumeracyStrategywillalsobeakey

approachtoovercomingthischallenge.Ourteamsin

GRETBareproactivelyengagedindesigningtraining

approacheswhichwillsupportlearnerswhomayhave

disengagedfromeducationandtrainingandarenow

consideringreengaging.

ThelargegeographicreachoftheGRETBremains

achallengeintermsofdeliveryofprogrammesand

supports.ThedevelopmentofTELandtheGRETBTEL

strategywillassistinmeetingsomeofthesechallenges

butinmanyareas,broadbandcontinuestobeanissue

andtherolloutoftheNationalBroadbandPlanwillnot

befullyinplaceuntil2021attheearliest.Thisislinked

toaneedforadequateICTinfrastructureandsupport

acrossGRETBtofacilitategreateruseoftechnology

withinprogrammes.

Theeconomicoutlookisextremelypositiveandwhile

thisiswelcomeitdoespresentachallengetoGRETB

intermsofthemodesofprogrammedeliverytothose

whoareinemployment.Theemployerengagement

teamwillbeessentialinmeetingthischallengeasclear

linkstoemployersarenecessarytocreateprogression

pathwaysforthoseinemploymentaswellaspathways

toemployment.Ensuringcoursesarerelevantand

accessiblewillbecriticalandtheroleTELwillbe

important.



Thedevelopmentofnewapprenticeshipsand

traineeshipsisawelcomeopportunityforGRETBto

continueandincreaseitsengagementwithindustry

andemployers.GRETBintendstomeetthisopportunity

bydevelopingandprovidingavarietyofnew

traineeshipsandapprenticeshipsacrosstheregion.

Therearechallengesfacedindeliveringprogrammes

basedontheneedsofindustryandinatimelymanner.

Thetimeframeforprogrammevalidationisarisk

forprogrammedelivery.GRETBisestablishinga

programmedevelopmentunitwiththeappropriate

programmedevelopmentexpertisetoensurethat

coursesrespondtotheneedsofemployersand

industryinatimelymanner.Theopportunitytowork

collaborativelywithotherETB’sinthedevelopmentand

deliveryofprogrammesisverywelcomehoweverit

canbechallengingparticularlywhenasacollaborating

partnertheleadETB’sQualityAssurancesystem

overridesGRETB’sQAsystemandasacoordinating

providerGRETBwillneedtoensurethatits’QAisbeing

adheredto.

TheissueofBREXIThasbeenconsideredinthe

developmentofthisplan.GRETBisnotintheborder

areabutiscognisantofthewiderimpactBREXIT

mayhaveontheeconomy.Theeconomymaybe

severelyimpactedbyBREXITandGRETBislooking

atawrap-aroundmoduleinInternationalTradeto

supporttheexistingprogrammesinRigid,ArticandBus

drivingcourses.Addingthesemoduleswillgivethe

traineesamorecomprehensiveprogrammeoftraining

andeducationandthisinturnshouldensuretheir

employmentopportunities.

4.3DeliveringonFETRelevantNationalPolicies

andStrategies

ETBsarecentraltotherealisationofgovernment

policyaroundemployment,educationandtrainingand

GRETBiscognisantoftheroleitplaysinensuringthe

successfulimplementationofsuchpolicies.

GRETBcoversalargeruralareaandthereforethe

actionplanforruraldevelopmentisvitallyimportant

toguidethesupportforlearningandtraininginthe

areaandensureitcontributestotheactiveinclusionof

peoplelivinginruralareas.ThelargenumberofFET

centreslocatedinruralareasintheregionactasahub

foractivityinthecommunityandarevitaltoaddressing

theactioninthePlanforRuralDevelopment.GRETBis

activelyinvolvedintheActionPlanforJobsWestand

deliversupdatesonaregularbasis.

GalwayCityandsuburbshavethesecondhighest

TravellerpopulationinIreland.TheTravellerand

Romainclusionpolicysetstargetsfortheinclusion

ofTravellersandRomapopulationsineducationand

trainingandGRETBwillbeprioritisingengagementof

thisgroupacrossalllevelsofprovisionandamember

oftheSMThasbeengivenresponsibilityforthe

inclusionofthesepopulations.

GRETBhasaproventrackrecordinworkingwith

peoplewithbothintellectualandphysicaldisabilities.

GRETBwillcontinuetoworkwiththedisability

organisationslocallytoensurethatservicesare

targetedappropriately.GRETBcontinuetopromoteand

developmainstreamresponsestotheneedsofadult

learnerswithdisabilityandtosupportspecificdisability

trainingandeducationinlinewithnationalpolicy.The

increaseinprovisionofprogrammesaccreditedat

level1and2willbeanimportantfirststepinpreparing

peoplewithadisabilityforemployment.

ThetargetssetforthisStrategicAgreementare

informedbytheNationalSkillsStrategy2018-2020.

TheprogrammesproposedbyGRETBintheagreement

willseektomeettheneedsoftheeconomyandto

specialiseinareasmostappropriatetotheregion.The

increaseinTourism,Food,AgricultureandMari-culture

relatedcoursesisaclearexampleofmeetingthe

commitmentsoftheskillsstrategyandislocalisedto

thisregion.GRETBwillcontinuetoworkcloselywith

theRegionalSkillsForatoensurethatprogrammes

requiredbyparticularindustriessuchasengineering

andmed-techaredeliveredbothtoexistingemployees

andnewemployees.

GRETBhaswithinitsremitthesinglelargestandmost

populousGaeltachtareainthecountry.The20-year

StrategyfortheIrishLanguageisfundamentally

importanttoGRETB’sprovisioninGaeltachtareasand

toimplementingthevisionofGRETB.GRETBhouses

theBreacadhprojectwhichisfundedbySOLASandis

supportedbyrepresentationfromthesevenGaeltacht

regions,thisprojectisfundamentaltoproviding

languagesupportforadultsinaccessingeducationand

trainingprogrammesinGaeltachtareas.Theincreasein

programmesintheGaeltachtinparticularskills-based

trainingsuchasBoatbuilding,Mari-culture,Hospitality

andTourismwillprovideskillsforlocalpeopleto

accessemploymentlocallyandensurethattheseareas

aremaintainedandrevitalised.

16

5. ETB Contribution toNationalFETStrategyandTargets



Section 5

ETBContributiontoNational

FETStrategyandTargets

5.1SkillsfortheEconomy

Since2016,GRETBhasforgedlinkswithIndustry

throughtheRegionalSkillsFora,employerbodiessuch

asIBEC,RetailExcellenceIreland,Coillte,BIM,Teagasc

FáilteIreland,ÚdarásnaGaeltachtaanddirectlywith

industryemployers.GRETBrecognisesthatthis

interactionisvitaltoensurethatourserviceprovision

isrelevanttoindustryandlearnersandwillalsotake

cognisanceofthe2018-2021FurtherEducationand

TrainingPolicyFrameworkforSkillsDevelopmentof

PeopleinEmployment.

TheFETDirectorrepresentsGRETBontheRegional

SkillsFora.TheRegionalSkillsCoordinatormeets

withtheCEofGRETBtwiceayear.SeniorManagers

fromGRETBactivelyparticipateinspecificskillarea

workinggroupssuchastourism,medicaldevices

andmanufacturing.ThedevelopmentoftheArborist

ApprenticeshipwasadirectoutcomeofGRETB’s

RegionalSkillsForaparticipation.

GRETBbelievesthatitisimperativetocreatea

dedicatedemployerengagementteamtooptimise

thelinksestablishedthusfarandwillseekthe

autonomytorecruitforthisteam.Thiswillsupportan

employerinfluenceacrossallprovision.WithinthePLC

programme,forexample,itwillhelptoembedmore

formalandconsistentapproachestoworkplacement,

andarebalancingofprovisiontowardslabourmarket

outcomes,inlinewiththerecommendationsarising

fromthenationalPLCevaluation.

InlinewiththeGovernment’sactionplantoexpand

apprenticeshipandtraineeshipprovision2016-

2020,weintendtodevelopfurthertraineeships

acrossarangeofskillsclusters,includingtourism,

manufacturing,animalhealth,media,marketing

amongstothers. GRETBhasexperienceinthe

developmentoftraineeshipsandtheCareertraineeship

in Digital Sales and Marketingwasdevelopedtomeet

identifiedneedsi.e.digitalsalesandmarketingfunction

ofSME’sleadingtonationallyrecognizedCityand

GuildsandQQIqualification.ThisCareerTraineeship

providedanopportunityforGRETBtodevelopstronger

networkswithemployersaswellasprovidingtrainees

withhigherqualityskillsthataremorerelevanttothe

workplaceandmorelikelytobeuptodatewithcurrent

practicesthanstandardclassroom-onlybasedmodels

ofdelivery.GRETBledoutonthepilotphaseforthis

CareerTraineeshipemployinganationalcollaborative

programmedevelopmentapproachacrosstheETB

SectorwithsupportfromSOLAS.

TheDigitalSalesandMarketingCareerTraineeship

wasademandledprogramme(flaggedbyTeagasc)

addressingtheskillneedsofSmallMedium

EnterprisesintheGRETBregion.Theobjectivesof

theprogrammearetomeettheskillneedsofspecific

sectors(SME’s)andlocalemployers(smallbusinesses)

aswellasprovidetraineeswiththeopportunity

toachieverecognizedaccreditationandprogress

theircareerpathwayambitionswithinanindustry

setting.Apartnershipapproachwasadopted,and

theSMEindustrywasafullpartnerinthedesign,

developmentanddeliveryoftheprogramme.Industry

skillneedswereidentifiedincollaborationwithan

IndustryAdvisoryGroupandwithindividualSMEs.

GRETBhadtoadoptanew‘reachingout’approach

toreachthegeographicallydispersedSMEs.The

SMEsinpartnershipwiththeGRETBhadakeyrolein

developingtheoccupationalprofileswhichoutlinethe

knowledge,skillsandcompetenceneededtocarry

outthetasksassociatedwiththedigitalsalesand

marketingfunction.ThisTraineeshipwasdeveloped

fromdatacompiledthroughfacetofaceinterviews

withSMEownersusinganOccupationalSkillsProfiling

Process.ThedataprovidedbytheSME’swasanalysed

toestablishpotentialprogrammecontentandits

levelontheNFQthustheSME’sthemselvesinformed

programmedevelopment.Anationalindustryadvisory

groupthenreviewedtheprogrammedevelopment.

GRETBhasworkedcloselywithÚdarásnaGaeltachta

inidentifyingskillgapsintheGaeltachtareausingthe

occupationalskillsprofileprocessoutlinedabove.This

hasidentifiedopportunitiesfornewcoursestorollout

inthenextthreeyearsintheGaeltachtarea.

ThecommitmentofGRETBintakingaproactiverole

inthedevelopmentofnewapprenticeshipswasnoted

insection4.1.8.Wewillalsocontinuetosupportand

deliverpre-2016apprenticeships,AuthorisedOfficers

continuetosupportEmployersandApprenticesand

playanimportantroleinensuringtheintegrityofthe

Apprenticeshipsystem.

GRETBwillcontinuetooffercourseswhichhave

highemploymentoutcomesincludingCleanroom

Operatives,RetailSkills,HealthandBeauty,Computer

AidedDesignandSoftwareDevelopercourses.

18

5.2ActiveInclusion

GRETB’sLiteracy and Numeracy Strategy (2014-2019)

setsoutourcommitmenttoimprovingawareness,

availabilityandparticipationofliteracyandnumeracy

programmesthroughouttheregion.Theaimisto

maintainandwidenprovisiontocaterforthediffering

needsthroughinnovativeandinclusivecourses,

incorporatingTEL,wewilldevelopaprogrammeto

integrateliteracyandnumeracyacrossFET.

GRETBisactivebothintheworkplaceandschoolswith

our Skills for Work and Family Learningprogrammes

andrunintensivecoursesasameansofimproving

outcomesforlearners.GRETBareimplementingthe

guidelinesandbestpracticetoolkitfromtheInitial

andOngoingAssessmentofAdultLiteracyand

NumeracyatNFQLevels1-3and theESOLreview

recommendationswhichwerereleasedearlyin2018.It

willalsosupportprofessionaldevelopmentrelatedto

literacyandnumeracyamongallFETstaff.

GRETBaimstodevelopandenhanceavailabilityofRPL

(Recognition of Prior Learning).Themedlearningcourses

e.g.literacythroughDIY,areusedasameansof

engaginglearnerswhohavebeenawayfromeducation

foralongtimeandprovideameansofimproving

literacyandnumeracyaswellasleadingtoprogression

toothermoreformal,accreditedcourses.

GRETBaimstoincreaseaccreditationforourlearners

atlevels1,2.GRETBalsointendstoincreasethe

numberoffullawardsattheselevelsinordertoprovide

clearprogressionpathwaysforlearnerswhoaremost

removedfromeducationandtraining.

GRETBwillcontinuetoconsiderandprioritisesupport

toaddresstheneedsofparticularcohortsoflearners

includingthelong-termunemployed,peoplewith

disabilities,loneparents,joblesshouseholds,travellers

andotherunder-representedgroups.

GRETBwillensurethatseamlessprogressionof

learnersispossiblefromlevel1tolevel6.Thisplan

willseethefurtherdevelopmentoflevel3andlevel

4courses.Thesecourseswillbeaimedatlearners

wishingtoaccesslevel5and6coursesbutwhohave

notdevelopedtheknowledge,skillsandcompetence

foralevel5or6programme.Currentandfuturelevel3

and4provisionwillbeclearlylinkedtoGRETBprovision

atlevel5and6.Thiswillinvolvethedevelopmentof

additionalcoursesinareassuchasfoodandbeverage,

tourism,ITandothersinlinewithlevel5and6

provision.

Literacyandnumeracysupportisgiventoapprentices

atbothPhaseOneandPhaseTwo.InPhaseOne,

apprenticesaregivenanassessmentatinductionand

followingthis,needsareidentifiedandappropriate

classesputinplaceintheAdultEducationCentreinthe

apprentice’slocalarea.InPhasetwo,comprehensive

supportisgiventoallapprenticesattendingthetraining

centreintheformof,Mathsassessmentsandclasses,

dedicatedstudysessions,literacysupport(onetoone

andsmallgroup),technicaldrawingclasses(forMetal

FabricationandCarpentryandJoineryapprentices)and

dyslexiatestingasneeded.ThereisadedicatedALO

runningtheservice,assistedbyaparttimeMathsand

studytutorandtechnicaldrawingtutors.InstructorCPD

isalsogiven,particularlyonintegratingliteracyand

numeracyandusingTechnologyEnhancedLearning.

5.3QualityProvision

5.3.1TELStrategy

TheprioritisationofTELwasnotedinsection4.1.3,and

aTELactionplanhasbeendrawnupwhichmakes

provisionfortherolloutofTELinaco-ordinated

andeffectivemanner.Theactionplanincludesthe

appointmentofapart-timeEducational Technologist

whowilloverseeimplementationasfollows:

― Ensurehardwareandsoftwarefortechnology

enhancedteaching/learningisavailable

throughouttheGRETBregionenablingthose

fromeventhemostremoteareastoengageinthe

learninglifelong

― CreateaVLEforstaffCPDpurposes,specifically

relatedtoTELandalsotoGRETBtraining/

teachingneeds,includingupskilling,sharingbest

practice,buildingcommunitiesofpracticeand

creatingTELchampions

― DevelopaVLEprogrammesuitableandrelevant

forisolatedandruralgroups,e.g.forCraftbased

CommunityEducationclasses,whichcanbe

accessedbymoreisolatedgroups

― Developmoreblendedlearningopportunities

particularlytargetingthoseinemploymentwhoare

seekingtoretrainorupskills.

TheimplementationoftheTEL Strategywillhelp

totransformthedeliveryofFETinGalwayand

Roscommon.Thestrategywilloverthenext3years

ensureanincreaseinthenumberofblendedlearning

coursesavailableparticularlyatlevel5and6.Thiswill

providelearnerswhoareinemploymentandthose

livinginmoreisolatedareasanopportunitytolearn

atatimeandinaplacewhichsuitsthem.Thecurrent

Healthcarelevel5blendedprogrammewithlocal

employer‘HomeinsteadSeniorCare‘isamodelof

goodpracticeforfutureblendedcoursedevelopment.

Thecompany’scomplianceregardingitscertified

staffwentfrom50%to75%in2017-2018.TheTEL

Strategywillalsoensureenhancementofdigitalskills

foralllearnersinGRETB.TheCPDofferedtostaffwill

enhancetheirskillsandofferopportunitiestoengagein

moreonlineandblendedlearningthemselves.



5.3.2QualityAssurance

GRETBiscommittedtotheprovisionofqualityassured

processesandprogrammesacrosstheorganisation.It

iscurrentlyinconsultationwithQQIaspartofthere-

engagementprocesshavingcompletedanexecutive

self-evaluationofqualityassuranceinFETdelivery

andthepublicationofaqualityimprovementplan

inresponsetoareasidentifiedinneedofreviewand

improvement.Keyimprovementsplannedincludethe

establishmentofaQualityCouncilandProgramme

ApprovalBoard.This,coupledwiththeestablishment

ofoneQAdepartment,operatingoneQAagreement

acrossallofGRETBFETprovisionwillallowforthe

furtherstrengtheningoftheETB’scommitmenttothe

qualityofitsservice.

5.3.3ProfessionalDevelopment

Theimportanceofprofessionaldevelopmentofstaff

inthefuturestrategyofGRETBwasemphasisedin

section4.1.9.GRETBiscommittedtotheroll-outand

implementationofthenationalstrategyacrossthe

sevenpillarsidentified(technologyenhancedlearning;

qualityassurance;vocationalupskilling,management

training,enterpriseengagement,ICTandworkingwith

andsupportingadultlearners)bywayofthenational

skills audit.

5.4Outcomes-basedPlanningandFunding

GRETBiscommittedtotheoutcomes-basedplanning

andfundingmodelbutwealsorecognisethe

challengesthatitpresents.GRETBusesdataasadriver

ofknowledgetoplanandrespondtodemandfornew

courses.SourcesofinformationusedbyGRETBon

aregularbasisinclude:CSOstatistics,RegionalSkills

Forumdata,SLMRUdataandemployerfeedback.

Mostofour40centresoperatewithoutdedicated

administrativesupportandthispresentsdifficulties

whenpopulatingandupdatingPLSSandFARR.GRETB

iscommittedtoensuringthequalityofalldataentered

intoPLSSandFARR.GRETBacknowledgesthatinorder

tohaveafullyrobustdataqualitycontrolsystemin

placearealignmentofstaffresourcesandCPDforstaff

membersinvolvedindatagatheringmusttakeplace.It

isrecognisedthatextraadministrativesupportiscritical

toensuringuptodateaccuratedatainformsplanning

andfundingrequests.Theoutcomes–basedplanning

andfundingmodelwillallowtheseniormanagement

teamtoreflectonprovisioninamorecriticalwayand

observepatternsofengagementbylearnersinarange

ofprogrammesacrossFET.Themodelwillinform

needforchangeoradaption.GRETBalsorecognises

theopportunitypresentedbythegenerationoffurther

evidenceofprogressionandemploymentoutcomes

asaresultofthelinkingofPLSStoothernational

databasesviaSOLASandtheCSOtofacilitatemore

effectiveplanning.

5.5StandingofFET

GRETBhasastrongtraditionofengagementand

partnershipwithavarietyofagenciesandemployers

intheregion.Thisengagementandpartnership

approachiskeyforGRETBinpromotingandincreasing

thestandingofFETlocallyandregionallyandthe

FETdepartmentwillcontinuetoworktostrengthen

existinglinksandcreatenewstrategicpartnerships.

LocalLearningNetworkswillcontinuetobe

developedacrosstheregionwithrepresentativesfrom

communities,highereducation,partnerships,industry

andtheDepartmentofSocialProtectiontoincreasethe

understandingofFET.InadditionGRETBwillworkwith

SOLAStomaximisethevalueandimpactofanational

campaigntopromotefurthereducationandtrainingin

2018 and 2019.

GRETBwillcontinuetoplayakeyroleintheRegional

SkillsForatoensurethattheFurtherEducationand

Trainingsectorisacoreelementofallinitiativesof

theFora.GRETBlinksdirectlywithHigherEducation

tocreateaseamlessflowofinformationinrelation

toopportunitiesineducationandtraining.This

engagementensuresthatGRETBprogrammes

aremeetingtheneedsoflearnersandassistinthe

seamlessprogressionoflearnersfromFurthertoHigher

Education.GRETBrecentlysignedaMemorandum

ofUnderstanding(MOU)withGalway-MayoInstitute

ofTechnology(GMIT)withwhomwearecurrently

exploringaboatbuildingcourseatlevel5tofacilitate

progressiontotheGMITFurniturecampusat

Letterfrack.GRETBisseekingtodevelopMOU’swith

theotherkeyHigherEducationinstituteslocally.

WorkinggroupswillbesetuptoensurethatGRETB

offersthemostappropriatemodulestoensurethat

learnershavethebestchanceofsuccessintheirfurther

study.GRETBhasMOUsinplacewithother3rdlevel

providerse.g.BoltonCollegewhichincludesabursary

forPLCstudents.PLClearnersprogressontoNUIG,

LIT,AIT,SIT,GMIT.AnewMOUisbeingworkedonwith

StAngela’sCollege,Sligotofacilitateaccesstotheir

PostPrimaryProject.

ThefeedbackfromHEI’singeneralispositive.PLC

studentsthathavecompletedaQQILevel5or6have

amuchgreaterchanceofcompletingacourseinaHEI.

Thefoundationinkeysubjectsandtheskillsgainedby

studentsinFEgivethemanadvantageandhelpsto

increaseretention.ThetimeandexposureinFEalso

enablesstudentsofconfirmtheircareerchoicetoa

greaterlevel,thusincreasingretentionatHElevel.

ThedevelopmentoftheEmployer Engagement Team

ledbyamemberoftheFETseniormanagementteam

willincreasethestandingofFETwithemployers.

Thecollaborationwithemployersalsosupports

workplacementsandtraineeshipsasevidencedby

ourprogrammedesign.Thesuccessofthesework

placementsandtraineeshipsiskeytodevelopingthe

standing of FET.

20

GRETBhasrecentlyconvenedaMarketing and Social

MediagrouptoexplorehowGRETBcanbemost

effectiveinmarketingourprogrammesandraisingthe

profileofFET.Thisgroupwillbedevelopingaplanfor

marketingandpromotingGRETBtoallstakeholders.

5.6ETBContributiontoNationalFETTargets

GalwayRoscommonETBcommitstomakingthe

specificcontributiontoeachofthesixcorenational

FETtargetsovertheperiod2018-2020setout

below.GRETBbelievesthisdemonstratesastrong

levelofambition,withsignificantfocusongrowing

traineeshipprovisionanddevelopingemployer

engagementtounderpintheachievementoftargets

aroundemploymentoutcomesandlifelonglearning.A

summaryshowinghowthecontributiontoeachtarget

isdrivenbyactivitywithindifferentskillsclustersis

providedasAppendixA.Thedefinitionunderpinning

eachtargetisdetailedinAppendixB.

TargetNationalSectoral

Target

GalwayRoscommonETB

Contribution

1. Morelearnerssecuringemploymentfromprovision

whichprimarilyservesthelabourmarket10%over3years

10%over3years,which

equatesto1,073learners

securingemploymentin

2020

2. Morelearnersprogressingtootherfurtherorhigher

educationcoursesfromprovisionwhichisprimarily

focusedonthispurpose

10%over3years

11%over3years,which

equatesto1,426learners

progressingtoothercourses

in 2020

3. Increaseintherateofcertificationoncourses

primarilyfocusedontransversal(socialmobility)skills

development

10%over3years

19%over3years,equating

to273completerscertified

in 2020

4. IncreaseinadultsseekingFETlevelprovisionengaging

inlifelonglearninginterventions10%over3years

13%over3years,equatingto

12,212startingLLLrelevant

programmesin2020

5. Increaseinlearnerssecuringrelevantqualificationsin

sectorswhereemploymentgrowth/skillsneedshave

beenidentified

10,000learnersper

annum

Averageannualincreaseof

610anda40%increasein

learnersin2020compared

with 2017

6. Newapprenticeshipandtraineeregistrationsinthe

period2018to202013,900over3years

686over3years,morethan

treblingthecurrentbase



6. Performance Agreement

22

Section 6

Performance Agreement

Inenteringthisagreement,GalwayandRoscommon

EducationandTrainingBoardcommitstopursuingthe

prioritiesandactionssetoutintheprevioussections

andmakingthestipulatedcontributiontoeachofthe

sixcoreFETtargetsovertheperiod2018to2020,

subjecttotherisksandchallengesidentifiedand

setoutinSection4.2oftheagreement.GRETBalso

commitstoadherencetolegislativerequirements,the

OverarchingPlanningandFundingRequirementsfor

FETandSOLASfundingTermsandConditions.

SOLAScommitstosupportingthedeliveryofthese

priorities,actionsandtargetswhereverpracticalsubject

toandwithinitsexistingresourceconstraintsand

competingcommitments.Therealisationofthetargets

willbemonitoredonanongoingbasisviathePLSSand

FARRsystems,anditisproposedthataformalmid-

termreviewwillbeundertakeninSeptember2019,

includingafurtherstrategicdialoguesessionbetween

thetwopartiesatthispoint.

Paul O’Toole

Chief Executive, SOLAS

Date: 21/09/2018

David Leahy

Chief Executive, Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board

Date: 21/09/2018

Signed:



AppendixA

24

Appendix A

GRETBContributiontoNationalFET

SectorTargets

FurtherEducation&TrainingProvision

Target1 Target2 Target3

2018-2020 2018-2020 2018-2020

SectorProvision10%

MoreLearnerswill

secureemploymentfrom

provisionwhichprimarily

servesthelabourmarket.

SectorProvision10%more

learnerswillprogressto

otherfurtherorhigher

educationcoursesfrom

provisionwhichisprimarily

focusedonthispurpose.

SectorProvision10%increase

intherateofcertificationon

coursesprimarilyfocusedon

transversal(socialmobility)

skillsDevelopment.

ExpectedoverallIncrease

inCompletersSecuring

Employment

Expectedoverallincreasein

CompletersProgressingto

FETorHET

Expectedoverallincreasein

Completerscertified

SkillClusters Number % Number % Number %

Agriculture,HorticultureandMariculture 12 400% 10 10%

AnimalScience 0 0% 0 0%

ArtsandCrafts 0 0% 0 0%

BuiltEnvironment 20 69% 0 0%

BusinessAdministration 26 18% 0 0%

Engineering 0 0% 20 0%

Engineering(Electrical) 0 0% 0 0%

Engineering(IT) 0 0% 0 0%

Engineering(Mechanical) 0 0% 0 0%

Engineering(Transport) 0 0% 0 0%

Entrepreneurship 8 133% 0 0%

FinancialServices 6 100% 0 0%

FoodandBeverage 18 0% 17 106%

Hairdressing,Beautyand

ComplementaryTherapies0 0% 14 127%

Health,FamilyotherSocialServices -37 -13% -65 -14%

InformationTechnology 0 0% 0 0%

Management 0 0% 0 0%

Manufacturing 9 35% 0 0%

Media,GraphicsCommunications 0 0% 12 0%

NaturalResources 0 0% 0 0%

ResearchandEducation-Training 0 0% 0 0%

Sales&Marketing 12 36% 0 0%

ScienceandTechnology 0 0% 0 0%

Security,Guarding&EmergencyServices 0 0% 0 0%

SportandLeisure 0 0% 0 0%

Tourism 20 0% 0 0%

Transport,Distribution&Logistics 0 0% 0 0%

WebDevelopment&Design 0 0% 0 0%

CoreICT 22 30% 64 85%

CorePersonal 73 21% 510 -38%

GeneralLearning 43 27% 0 0%

Language 0 0% 28 0%

SkillsSampling, 0 0% 0 0%

KeySkills 0 0% 180 0%

TOTAL 94 10% 146 11% 782 19%

[1]Thistargetcouldbesubjecttoupwardrevisionfollowingthebenchmarkingprocess.



Target4 Target5 Target6

2018-2020 2018-2020 2018-2020

SectorProvision10%increaseof

adults,whoareseekingFETlevel

provision,engaginginlifelonglearning

interventions[1]

SectorProvision

IncreaseinRelevantQualificationsacross

FETprogrammes.

Increaseof10,000learnersperannum

securingrelevantqualificationsinsectors

whereemploymentgrowth/skillsneeds

havebeenidentified.

TraineeshipProgrammes.

TraineeshipNationalTargetof19,000(2016-

2020)-13,900-(2018-2020)Commencmentson

Traineeship

(SkillClustersByStarters)

LabourMarketSkills

Expectedoverallcontributiontothe

NationalTargetforincreaseinStarters

andETBcapacity%

Expectedoverallannualaverage

contributiontoNationalTargetfor

CompletersCertified&ETBCapacity%

ExpectedoverallcontributiontoNationalTarget

andETBcapaciy%

Number % Number % Number %

52 22% 24 0%

20 143% 12 0%

20 15% 0 0%

25 45% 14 33% 64 -3%

7 1% 134 0%

0 0% 20 0% 0 0%

-5 1 5% 0 0%

0 0% 15 100% 0 0%

20 14% 19 18% 0 0%

10 111% 6 38% 0 0%

38 29% 27 152% 0 0%

23 85% 0 0%

47 69% 47 271% 0 0%

29 59% 48 0%

20 1% 195 25% 48 0%

97 90% 43 53% 50 0%

0 0% 0 0%

0 0% 13 22% 30 0%

30 0% 23 17% 24 0%

0 0% 0 0%

10 50% 0 0%

27 29% 25 37% 136 32%

0 0% 17 183% 30 0%

0 0% 15 0%

20 182% 53 90% 34 0%

88 180% 74 193% 24 0%

11 6% 24 0%

10 43% 18 62% 0 0%

111 22%

295 10%

208 6%

15 0%

20 0%

120 0%

1368 13% 610 40% 697 346%

26

AppendixB



Appendix B

ExplainingtheTargets

InagreeingtheSOLASCorporatePlan2017-19,the

DepartmentforEducationandSkillsspecifiedarange

oftargetstobemetbythefurthereducationand

trainingsectoroverathreeyearperiod:

― Target1–EmploymentOutcomes:10%more

learnerswillsecureemploymentfromprovision

whichprimarilyservesthelabourmarket.

― Target2–Progression:10%morelearnerswill

progresstootherfurtherorhighereducation

coursesfromprovisionwhichisprimarilyfocused

onthispurpose.

― Target3–TransversalSkillsDevelopment:10%

increaseintherateofcertificationoncourses

primarilyfocusedontransversal(socialmobility)

skillsdevelopment.

― Target4–LifelongLearning:10%increaseof

adults,whoareseekingFETlevelprovision,

engaginginlifelonglearninginterventions(this

targetcouldbesubjecttoupwardrevision

followingthebenchmarkingprocess.

― Target5–RelevantQualifications: From

2018,forthreeyears,anaverageincreaseof

10,000learnersperannumsecuringrelevant

qualifications(e.g.specialpurposeawards)in

sectorswhereemploymentgrowth/skillsneeds

havebeenidentified(e.g.Construction,ICT,Food

andBeverages,Hospitality,Wholesale/Retail,

Biopharma/Pharmachem,Health/OtherCare,

DigitalMedia,SportandFitness,Engineering,

EnterpriseSkillsneeds).

― Target6–ApprenticeshipandTraineeship

Provision:30,500newapprenticeandtrainee

registrationsintheperiod2017to2019whichwill

representanincreaseinregistrationsfromcirca

6,000in2016tocirca12,400in2019.

Alsoin2017,theDepartmentofPublicExpenditure&

Reform(D-PER)conductedaspendingreviewoffurther

educationandtraining.Akeyaspectofthisreview

involvedanalysisofprogrammesdeliveredbythe

ETBsbycategorizingeachprogrammeasoneofthe

following:-

― PredominatelyLabourMarketFocusFET

Programmes

― PredominatelyProgressionFocusFETProgrammes

― PredominatelySocialMobility(Individual

Transversalskills)FETProgrammes

Thesettingofthesethreeyearnationalsectoral

targetsandbroadcategorisationoftargetsprovideda

frameworkbywhichstrategicperformanceagreements

betweenSOLASandETBscouldbedeveloped,

highlightingtheplannedcontributionofeachETB

totheirrealisation.Howevertoensurethatthis

contributioncouldbeclearlyunderstoodandlinkedto

developmentofactivityacrossFETprogrammes,some

definitionsandparameterswereplacedaroundeach

target,andthesearediscussedforeachinturnbelow.

Target1:EmploymentOutcomes

Thistargettakesabroadstrategicapproachby

consideringFETprovisionintermsoftheprogrammes

thatareprimarilyfocusedonleadingtoemployment.

TheD-PERspendingreviewidentifiedprogrammes

whichhadapredominantlylabourmarketfocusandto

ensureconsistencywiththisreview,themeasuringof

employmentoutcomesunderTarget1wasrelatedonly

toprogrammeswithinthiscategory:

Full-Time Apprenticeship

Training

BlendedTraining

LocalTraining

Initiatives

PLC

SpecificSkills

Training

Traineeships

Training

VTOS VSCCSPLC

Part-time EveningTraining On-lineLearning

(eCollege)

Thetargetitselfiscalculatedbylookingattheactual

completersfromtheseprogrammesin2017logged

onPLSSorviaFARRwhowererecordingasachieving

anemploymentoutcome,andthenaskingeachETB

tosetoutaplanforthenumberscompletingwhoit

expectstoachieveanemploymentoutcomein2018,

2019and2020,calculatingtheexpectedchangefrom

this2017baseline.Currentlythereforethecontribution

isself-declaredbytheETB,basedonitsunderstanding

ofalearneroutcomeandwiththeassumption

thatallemploymentoutcomeshavebeenlogged

comprehensivelywithinthesystem.Itishowever

acknowledgedthatworktointegrateFARRandPLSS

andtoensurecomprehensiveandqualitylearnerdata

inputintoPLSSisstillprogressing,anditislikelythat

thebaselineforeachETBin2017maybehigherthan

initiallyestimated.

SOLASandtheETBsintendtomovetoamorerobust

methodofsettingthebaselinebyusingaccessto

revenueandjobseekersdatabasesheldbytheCSOto

establishindependentlytheemploymentoutcomes

oflearnersontheseprogrammesin2017.Thisshould

notchangetheambitionfornumberofcompleters

securingemploymentoutcomesin2018,2019and

2020butcouldrevisethebaselinewhichwillmean

28

theoverallETBcontributiontomeetingthetarget

(i.e.thepercentagechangeincompleterssecuring

employmentoutcomes)overthethreeyearperiod

couldbeupdated.

Target2:Progression

Thistargettakesabroadstrategicapproach

byconsideringFETProvisionintermsofthe

programmesthatareprimarilyfocusedonfacilitating

progressiontootherfurthereducationandtraining

andhighereducationcourses.TheD-PERspending

reviewidentifiedprogrammeswhichhada

predominantlyprogressionfocusandtoensure

consistencywiththisreview,themeasuringof

progressionoutcomesunderTarget2wasrelated

onlytoprogrammeswithinthiscategory.

Full-Time Justice

Workshops

Youthreach

Bridging&

Foundation

Training

Community

TrainingCentres

SpecialistTraining

Programmes

Part-time BTEIGroups Skills for Work

VSCCSBTEI



onPLSSorviaFARRwhowererecordedashaving

progressedtootherfurtherandhighereducation

courses,andthenaskingeachETBtosetoutaplan

forthenumberscompletingwhoitexpectstoachieve

suchaprogressionoutcomein2018,2019and2020,

calculatingtheexpectedchangefromthis2017

baseline.AswithTarget1,currentlythecontributionis

self-declaredbytheETB,basedonitsunderstanding

ofalearneroutcomeandwiththeassumption

thatallprogressionoutcomeshavebeenlogged

comprehensivelywithinthesystem.Itishowever

acknowledgedthatworktointegrateFARRandPLSS

andtoensurecomprehensiveandqualitylearnerdata

inputintoPLSSisstillprogressing,anditislikelythat

thebaselineforeachETBin2017maybehigherthan

initiallyestimated.

Aswithtarget1,thebaselinemayberevisedonce

learneroutcomedatafromaccesstoCSOdatabases

(whichalsoincludeshighereducationlearnerdata)

isavailable.Thisshouldnotchangetheambitionfor

numberofcompleterssecuringprogressionoutcomes

in2018,2019and2020butcouldmeantheoverallETB

contributiontomeetingthetarget(i.e.thepercentage

changeincompleterssecuringprogressionoutcomes)

overthethreeyearperiodcouldbeupdated.

ItisalsoacknowledgedthatPLCprovisionhasan

importantroleinfacilitatingprogression,particularly

tohighereducation,yetthecategorisationapproach

toensureconsistencywiththespendingreview

withinthetargets,whereaprogrammecanonly

beeitherpredominantlylabourmarketfocusedOR

predominantlyprogressionfocused,meantthatitwas

onlyincludedintheformerwhensettingproposedETB

contributionsintheformaltargettemplate.However,

eachETBhasbeenaskedtoarticulatethecurrent

levelofprogressionfromPLCprovision,andstateany

ambitionforchangeintheprogressionrateoverthe

lifetimeoftheagreement.Giventhefocusonthisarea

andwidernationalworkofFETtoHEtransitions,itis

expectedthatthecurrentrateofprogressiontoHEfrom

PLCacrossallETBSwillbeatleastmaintainedbetween

2018 and 2020.

Target3:TransversalSkillsDevelopment

Thistargettakesthesamestrategicapproachas

Targets1and2byconsideringFETProvisionwherethe

aimisprimarilyfocusedonprogrammeswhichbuild

transversalskills.TheD-PERspendingreviewidentified

programmeswhichhadaprimaryfocusontransversal

skillsdevelopmentandtoensureconsistencywith

thisreview,themeasuringincreasesintherate

ofcertificationunderTarget3wasrelatedonlyto

programmeswithinthiscategory.

Full-Time IrishDeafSocietyprovision

Part-time AdultLiteracy ESOL

FETCo-

operationHours

ITABE

LibrariesTraining Refugee

Resettlement

Voluntary

LiteracyTuition

NALAWriteon

(p/tonline)



onPLSSorviaFARRwhowererecordedashaving

achievedcertification,andthenaskingeachETBtoset

outaplanforthenumberscompletingwhoitexpects

toachievesuchacertificationoutcomein2018,2019

and2020,calculatingtheexpectedchangefrom

this2017baseline.IncontrastwithTarget1and2,the

datashouldfor2017shouldberobustasitrelatesto

certificationratherthanperceivedoutcomes.



Target4:LifelongLearning

ThelifelonglearningactivitymeasuredunderTarget4

usedtheEUdefinitionoflifelonglearningwhichrelates

topeopleover25years.Ascomprehensivedatafor

allFETlearnersagedover25isnotavailablein2017

(asthePLSSwasrolledoutduringtheyear),thetarget

focusesonactivity(measuredbynumbersstarting

courses)withinprogrammesthatpredominantly

addresstheneedsoflearnersover25.Thisbasecanbe

reviewedattheendof2018whenthereisafulldataset

availablethroughPLSS,andwhereitshouldbepossible

toisolatethecohortoflearnersagedover25acrossall

FET.Inthemeantime,thebaselineandplanshavebeen

buildupthosestartingorexpectedtostartcoursesin

thefollowingprogrammesovertheperiod2018-2020.

BlendedTraining SpecificSkillsTraining

TraineeshipsTraining TraineeshipEmployed

VTOS EveningTraining

On-lineLearning

(eCollege)(p/t)

Bridging&Foundation

Training

SpecialistTraining

Programmes

BTEIGroups

IrishDeafSociety NALAWriteon(p/tonline)

Skills for Work AdultLiteracy

VoluntaryLiteracy LTI

ITABE RefugeeResettlement

Community Education

Derivingthetargetinthiswaymeansthatitdoesnot

fullycomparetowidernationallifelonglearningtargets,

ortonewtargetsforemployeedevelopmentand

workforceupskilling,butitdoesnonethelessprovidean

insightandambitiontogrowlifelongprovisionacross

FETinawaythatcanberobustlytrackedoverthe

courseoftheperformanceagreement.

ItisalsoimportanttonotethatFARRandPLSSdoes

notcurrentlyrecordtheself-financedeveningcourse

provisionwhichtakesplaceinFETfacilities,most

commonlyinPLCfurthereducationcolleges.SOLAS

hasaskedETBstoestimatetheextentofthiscohortif

possiblewithintheagreements.

Target5:RelevantQualifications

ThistargetattemptstoincreasethefocusofFET

provisiononkeyskillsareaswithanambitiontogrow

qualificationsintheseareasbyanaverageincreaseof

10,000learnersperannum.Relevantqualificationscan

includespecialpurposeawardsandaremeasuredin

thefollowingskillsclustersaspartofthistarget.

BuiltEnvironment

(Construction)

Engineering

Engineering(Electrical) Engineering(IT)

Engineering(Mechanical) Engineering(Transport)

Entrepreneurship/

EnterpriseSkills

FoodandBeverage-

Hospitality

Health,Familyother

SocialServices

InformationTechnology-

ICT

Manufacturing Media,Graphics

Communications-Digital

Media

Sales&Marketing-

Wholesale/Retail

ScienceandTechnology-

Biopharma/Pharmachem

SportandLeisure-

SportsandFitness

Tourism-Hospitality

WebDevelopment&

Design

Thenumberofcertificatesawardedin2017sets

thebaselineforthistargetandETBsarethenasked

toprojectthenumberofcertificateswithinthese

skillsclustersthattheyexpecttoawardin2018,

2019 and 2020.

Target6:ApprenticeshipsandTraineeships

DrawnfromtheActionPlantoExpandApprenticeships

andTraineeships2016-2020,thissetsanationaltarget

of30,500newapprenticeandtraineeregistrations

intheperiod2018to2020.Pre2016apprenticeships

arecoordinatedcentrallybySOLASwhilenew

apprenticeshipsareinadevelopmentstageandmore

difficulttoplanintermsofspecificcourseroll-out.

Intheperformanceagreementstherefore,wehave

askedETBstofocusonthreeyearplansforexpanding

traineeshipprovision,askingthemtoprojectnumbers

startingtraineeshipsin2018,2019and2020.TheAction

Plandefinesatargetovertheperiod2018-2020of

13,900newregistrations.

SOLAS

AntSeirbhísOideachaisLeanúnaighagusScileanna

FurtherEducationandTrainingAuthority

CastleforbesHouse,CastleforbesRoad,DublinD01A8N0

+ 353 (0) 1 533 2500 / www.solas.ie / [email protected]

GalwayandRoscommonETB

AnCoiléarBán,BaileÁthaanRí,Co.Galway

+353 (0) 91 874 500 / galwayroscommon.etb.ie / [email protected]

Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020 - Solas

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