Skillnets Annual Conference 2004
September 29th 2004
O'Driscoll of Enterprise Strategy Group Endorses Skillnets Network Model of Learning
Delegates at the 4th Annual Skillnets Conference held at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, today (29th September 2004) heard strong praise for the Skillnets model of learning through enterprise networks from Eoin O'Driscoll, chairman of the Enterprise Strategy Group and co-author of "Ahead of the Curve - Ireland in the Global Economy".
President Mary McAleese, speaking at the Skillnets Conference 2004
Highlighting education and training as one of the five main sources of competitive advantage, O'Driscoll said that Ireland had historically enjoyed a strong international reputation for the calibre of its education system. "However, the rapid pace of technological development and increasing sophistication of business processes and systems now demand higher levels of academic achievement and greater links between the education sector and enterprise than ever before," he said.
He went on to say that we need new approaches to dealing with the challenges of up-skilling those in the work place. Specifically, he said we need to change the model from the current system which is "rigid, industrialised and problem centred and delivered at a time and pace to suit providers". Instead, we need to accelerate the move to network based models, such as Skillnets, where companies, through their networks, identify and articulate needs, design delivery structures and provide learner-centred training. Key to this is the flexibility to deliver the learning "any time, any place and at any pace," he added.
Eoin
O'Driscoll, chairman of the Enterprise Strategy Group and co-author of "Ahead
of the Curve - Ireland in the Global Economy", pictured with Domhnall Mac
Domhnaill, Chairman, Skillnets and Máire Hunt, Chief Executive Skillnets.
Skillnets chief executive, Máire Hunt acknowledged that this kind of flexibility and learner focus was exactly what the enterprises in the Skillnets network of 56 networks and 2,500 companies were asking for. And that is exactly what Skillnets was set up to provide.
"One of the unique aspects of networks is the learning activity that takes place outside the classroom environment. Companies tell us that often the most valuable knowledge they gain is through the kind of informal learning that takes place when enterprises interact," she said.
Ms Hunt also said that the appeal and relevance of this approach was not sector specific, but universal. "The need to up-skill is not confined to knowledge companies. Nor is it only present in industries in decline, or for particular groups of workers. We are seeing that demand is across the board for all occupational groups and every company."
She acknowledged that in spite of the immense achievement of the Skillnets network, significant challenges remain. There is a need for real, hard and measurable evaluation that shows learning works. However, she said that Skillnets hopes to deliver that evaluation in a couple of months, when they publish findings of a pilot approach to measuring the ROI of learning within 20 Skillnets companies, carried out by leading expert in the field of Return on Investment, Jack Philips.
Another challenge is time. "Networks cannot be seen as a short term mechanism, as they require at least three to four years of sustained operation to reach maturity and become fully effective," she said.
Chairman of Skillnets, Domhnall Mac Domhnaill shared Ms Hunt's hope for the future of the Skillnets vision. Without going into detail of future funding, he said he had a "high level of confidence that Skillnets will continue".
Minister
for Labour Affairs, Frank Fahey TD and Chairman of Skillnets, Domhnall Mac Domhnaill
Also present at the conference as honoured guest and keynote speaker was President Mary McAleese. The closing address was delivered by Minister for Labour Affairs, Frank Fahey TD.
Among the 200 companies present, the conference also heard from HR Manger of Pat the Baker, Terry Hughes and MD of Complete Laboratory Solutions, Evelyn O'Toole.
Ends
