The Minister for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon TD today addressed a Skillnets breakfast briefing event which took place at the Pillo Hotel, Headford Road in Galway.
This important event is a collaboration between 3 networks; Galway Executive Skillnet (GES), Greasán na Meán Skillnet and ITAG Skillnet.
All 3 networks are well established locally, having each commenced in early 2003.
In recent years they have increased the level of networking and co-operation with each other, both formally and informally, in order to facilitate the achievement of shared objectives.
They each run a diverse range of learning interventions, both formal training and informal networking events, and have run joint network events in the past.
After discussion amongst key stakeholders, the theme which emerged was Innovate or Stagnate.
This was designed to provide a positive message and stimulus to local businesses in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty and the difficult current business climate.
They believe that some local success stories, which can be directly attributed to the benefits of Skillnets learning, can be shared across the wider network membership and Galway business community to motivate and encourage others to achieve growth across a range of local businesses and sectors.
Speaking at the breakfast briefing, Minister Cannon said ‘We are all here today with the shared goal of providing a stimulus to local businesses in the face of economic uncertainty and the current challenging business climate.’
‘It is heartening to see that the three networks here today are now firmly embedded locally following their establishment in 2003.’
‘Each of the networks run a diverse range of learning interventions including both formal training and informal networking events, and they have successfully cooperated on joint network events in the past.’
‘I congratulate you all on this real partnership approach,’ said Minister Cannon.
The Minister went on to say ‘In terms of either innovating or stagnating, a central plank in national policy formulation is the emphasis placed on the role of small and medium enterprises in building and sustaining national competitiveness.’
‘The Skillnets response to building the capacity of SMEs through training and human resource development measures has been focused, sustained and significant.’
‘Skillnets is also helping to de-mystify training for some of the smaller companies by developing practical tools to analyse and meet their training needs, quickly, locally and effectively.’
‘This lack of adequate tools and understanding has long been identified as a core reason why SMEs fail to sufficiently engage in training and staff development.’
‘We need to place greater emphasis on improving the human capital potential of our workforce.’
‘The Skillnets model of enterprise training is playing a vital role in this regard.’
‘Since last year the Skillnets model also applies to training the unemployed within certain parameters, such as, not to lose the focus on the enterprise led nature of the model.’
Providing access for unemployed people to the networking and training benefits of Skillnets is, I believe, a significant innovation in itself,’ concluded Minister Cannon.