Partners
The success of FIT is built on wide collaboration, co-operation and mutual trust. The involvement of industry in the FIT initiative from the outset has been key to its success. FIT strategy and leadership is informed by senior industry executives. The Board of FIT comprises of major multinational companies and indigenous corporations who are utilising their capacity and expertise to promote employability and upskilling of job seekers at risk of becoming detached from the labour market in Ireland.
Industry stakeholders inform strategy, act as advocators and ambassadors, inform curriculum development and promote FIT graduates.
This industry engagement ensures that the FIT initiative is flexible and adaptive to new market conditions as they emerge. Other partners such as ETBs (Formerly VEC) and community organisations also value the engagement with industry which being a partner in the FIT initiative ensures.
Industry has championed the FIT mission and goals, and created a network of organisations who now view FIT as an element of their recruitment strategies. Many FIT graduates have received job placements or work experience in FIT stakeholder companies. As well as supplying a recruitment stream to industry, FIT fulfills Corporate Social Responsibility programmes which promote labour market integration and social inclusion.
Acknowledgements
Our sincere thanks to the invaluable support of the following organisations and their staff:
SOLAS are the State Organisation with responsibility for funding, planning and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. Established in 2013 under the Further Education and Training Act, SOLAS are an agency of the Department of Education and Skills and are governed by a Board. SOLAS have been tasked with building the identity and values of a world-class, integrated FET sector that is responsive to the needs of learners and the requirements of a changed and changing economy. SOLAS also manages the National Apprenticeship system, EGF, eCollege, Safepass and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme.
Visit the SOLAS website.
The Apprenticeship Council was launched by the Minister for Education and Skills in November 2014. The establishment of the Council was a key action in the implementation of recommendations from a 2014 Review of Apprenticeship Training in Ireland. The Council is tasked with the expansion of apprenticeship into new sectors of the economy and identifying sectors where new apprenticeships can make a real difference to both employers and employees.
Visit the Generation Apprenticeship website.
QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) is an independent State agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training services in Ireland. It was established in 2012 by the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012.
Visit the QQI website.
Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) is the national representative body for Irelands sixteen Education and Training Boards. ETBs were established 1 July 2013 to provide education and training provision in communities throughout Ireland.
Under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, ETBI is defined as; An association established to collectively represent education and training boards and promote their interests, which is recognised by the Minister for the purposes of this Act.
Visit the ETBI website.
The Department of Education and Skills is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Education and Skills who is assisted by two Ministers of State.The mission of the Department of Education and Skills is to provide high-quality education which will enable individuals to achieve their full potential and to participate fully as members of society, and contribute to Ireland’s social, cultural and economic development.
Visit the Department of Education and Skills website.