merrion street

The Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciaran Cannon T.D., today chaired the first in a series of meetings to establish the new further education and training authority, SOLAS (Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanúnaigh Agus Scileanna).

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Cannon said, ‘the establishment of SOLAS will merge the currently separate Further Education and Training sectors into one sector.

‘This new arrangement is the most important change in this area for decades.

‘SOLAS will build on the respective strengths that the Further Education and Training sectors have developed.

‘It will ensure the provision by VECs of 21st century high quality further education and training programmes which are integrated, flexible, value for money and responsive to the needs of learners, jobseekers and business.’

The SOLAS Implementation Group will prepare an Action Plan to implement the changes necessary to put SOLAS in place following the passing of the relevant legislation in 2012.

Membership of the Implementation Group includes representatives from the Department of Education and Skills, FÁS, the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) and the Department of Social Protection.

The Group will report to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs on progress in the autumn.