Funding
Programme Funding
Skillnets expects to receive in excess of €50m from the National Training Fund for the period 2008-2009. This will be made available to enterprise groups on the basis of competitive calls for proposals.
The next applications will be invited in 2007 and funding commitments for up to 2 years will be made to approved Learning Networks. All learning, skills development and networking activities are eligible for support under the Training Networks Programme.
Skillnets will support private enterprises in addressing individual and organisational learning needs. Such support to enterprises will be aimed at people in employment. Skillnets will co-fund enterprise training and networking or other learning activities which support and encourage participation in enterprise training.
Support for existing and new networks will be on the basis of open and competitive calls for proposals combined with transparent and equitable assessment systems. Skillnets will seek confirmation from promoters in receipt of grant support from Skillnets that training funded by Skillnets is either not currently available from public sources or current provision does not meet the needs of the enterprise group.
Eligible Activities
The activities listed below are eligible for inclusion in Learning Network proposals. The list is indicative rather than prescriptive. In principle, the delivery of any activity which provides learning, skills, knowledge development and networking between enterprises can be supported by the Training Networks Programme.
Eligible activities that may be carried out by Learning Networks include:
- The engagement of network companies
- The provision of staff, office facilities and administration required for network activities
- The provision of accounting services necessary to manage and administer network grants and network matching funds
- The analysis of training needs of individuals, enterprises, sectors or regions
- The provision, development and customisation of training programmes for managers and staff within enterprises
- The commissioning of trainers to design, deliver and evaluate training for network members
- The engagement of industry and training and development experts to assist in the development and carrying out of learning activities within the network
- Best practice visits, case studies, networking events and other inter-firm learning activities
- Networking events and activities including workshops, seminars and conferences
- The provision of inter-firm mentoring, coaching and other knowledge transfer activities
- The publication of new training materials and information
- The promotion of network training activities and programmes
- The development and administration of certification within the context of the National Qualifications Framework
- The development of methodologies, tools and materials to support best training practice
- Surveys, studies and evaluations of the impact of network activities of business performance and staff development
- The development of strategic partnerships between enterprises, providers, industry bodes and certification awards bodies
- The development of training and development plans, processes and people (decision makers, trainers and staff ) within enterprises to improve the internal capacity of firms to identify and meet training needs
- The development of processes at sector or regional level to provide strategic support and direction for skills development to meet future market needs and competitive challenges.
Network Funding
Skillnets funds networks by co-investing with network member companies in the delivery of Learning Network plans and activities. Under the Training Networks Programme, up to 75% of the costs of all eligible network activities will be provided for a sustained period. This allows enterprises to carry out a wide range of learning, development and networking activities to achieve a step change in performance and skills.
The Learning Network provides funds to match the Skillnets investment. The specific mix of funding between Skillnets and network members is decided on an individual network basis. Matching funds must be sourced from private sector contributions. In general, networks which have significant numbers of small companies (i.e. employing less than 50 staff) are more likely to attract higher levels of co-financing from Skillnets.
Skillnets will work with networks who also are receiving grants or support from other funding agencies to jointly invest, with other bodies, in network plans and strategies. In addition, Skillnets will co-invest with funding organisations in other member states where networks are seeking to develop transnational learning activities (such as cross border Learning Networks).