2024

National Reforms in Vocational Education and Adult Learning

In Ireland, Further Education and Training (FET) FET is primarily delivered or contracted by the 16 ETBs under the funding and strategic direction of SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority.  FET provision includes both labour market focused programmes and programmes with a strong social inclusion dimension. Provision includes adult literacy and basic education, programmes for early school leavers, the unemployed, and those in employment, and national apprenticeship programmes. Awards are made at Levels 1 to 6 of the National Qualifications Framework. Since June 2020, responsibility for FET falls within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). 

Future FET: Transforming Learning, the FET Strategy for 2020-24 was launched in July 2020 and is framed around a vision for future FET in Ireland. The strategy outlines how FET will provide pathways for a diverse group of learners, will support societal participation and strong communities, will prepare people for successful careers and a lifetime of learning and development and will be a major driver of Ireland's next critical phase of economic and social development. 

The strategy sets out the role of FET within a more collaborative and cohesive tertiary education system for Ireland. It outlines the contribution FET will make alongside higher education providers to serve school leavers, lifelong learners, employees looking to upskill and marginalised people who want to re-engage in education, while also supporting employers and communities.  Priorities are set out across three core pillars: building skills; creating pathways, and; fostering inclusion.

Since its launch in 2020, significant progress has been made on the implementation of the FET Strategy across its three core pillars of building skills, fostering inclusion, and facilitating pathways and in its aim to deliver a more strategic and integrated FET system: 

• With regard to Building Skills, the range of upskilling and reskilling opportunities have been broadened through Skills to Advance, focused on upskilling for those in employment, and Skills to Compete, a key SOLAS initiative, to support those who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19 to re-enter the workforce. 

• eCollege has also been expanded and eCollege courses have been temporarily made available free of charge as additional supports to those impacted by Covid-19.   

• Turning to Creating Pathways, the enhancement of the CAO website in 2022 for the CAO application process by the inclusion of links to information on, and applications for, FET programmes and to apprenticeship information and employment opportunities is significant in enhancing the visibility of FET and apprenticeship options for school leavers.

• As part of Fostering Inclusion, a conceptual framework for Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for the FET Sector has been developed. This approach aims to reduce obstacles to learning by taking into account the needs of learners of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Once in place, this will help all learners in FET, whatever their particular needs, and will make FET as widely accessible as possible.  SOLAS published A Conceptual Framework of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for the Irish Further Education and Training Sector in 2020, and an accompanying guide UDL for FET Practitioners: Guidance for Implementing UDL in Irish Further Education and Training in 2021. This guide provides practitioners with the knowledge they need to implement universal design for learning.

• Progress has also been made in the enabling themes identified in the FET Strategy - staffing, structures and capabilities, learner performance centred, digital transformation and capital infrastructure. The FET strategy underpins the development of new strategic performance agreements currently being finalised between SOLAS and each of the ETBs.

   

Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy 

The ALL Strategy is a 10-year strategy to address unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy in Ireland.   The vision of ALL embodied in the Strategy is to ensure that everyone has the literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to fully participate in society and realise their potential. All adults in Ireland should have the literacy skills to enjoy a good quality of life within their families, communities and workplace. It takes a new innovative systems-based approach to literacy, adopting a cross-Government, cross-economy and cross-society approach which closely references complementary initiatives across relevant national strategies and policies.

In 2024 an allocation of over €1 million was given to 103 innovative projects across the country to support adults with unmet literacy needs, including numeracy and digital skills. The purpose of the Collaboration and Innovation Fund is to pay for projects that support adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs, and create a more equal society. 

A leaflet drop taking a ‘whole of society’ approach was delivered in June (ca. 1 million households) and was supported by a radio, digital and social campaign. A complementary national awareness campaign will be delivered in/around International Literacy Day in September 2024. The call to action was to the www.adultliteracyforlife.ie website, where information is provided on accessing local services.

The National Programme Office launched an ALL National Communications Campaign in June 2024, which centred around the key activity of a National Maildrop with An Post to over 1 million households in Ireland.  The key message of the campaign was "Let's talk about literacy” and complimentary communication activities took place to reinforce the message which included geotargeted social media and local radio ads.  The campaign for the first time focused on the ‘whole of society’ approach and raising awareness about how we can all support individuals with unmet literacy needs and create a more literacy-friendly society. The target audience was the influencer group (family, friends, work colleagues).

The National Literacy Coalition was set up in October 2023, and progress made. With membership of over 20 representing a broad spectrum of organisations and entities, including government departments and agencies, state services, non-governmental organisations and employers and trade unions, the National Literacy Coalition truly embodies the ‘whole of society’ approach of the ALL Strategy.

Additionally, 16 Regional Literacy Coalitions have now been formed to cover all parts of the country. Coalitions bring together a broad spectrum of key community organisations and representatives to for Regional Literacy Action Plans. This partnership approach is at an early stage and is already proving a powerful means for driving action to achieve the aims of the ALL Strategy across society. Examples of some broad actions in Coalitions include Literacy Awareness Training, Plain Language Training, and actions to create more literacy-friendly, accessible services for all.

National Training Fund

Established by the National Training Fund Act, 2000, the National Training Fund (NTF) is a dedicated fund to raise the skills of those in employment; provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment and provide information in relation to skills requirements in the economy. 

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research and Science (D/FHERIS) is responsible for the overall management, monitoring and evaluation of the Fund, while the Minister for Finance manages and controls the investment.

The Fund is resourced by a levy on employers, which is collected through the PRSI employers’ contribution. Originally set at 0.7% of reckonable earnings, the rate was increased incrementally by 0.1% over three years, from 2018 to 2020, to the 1% rate currently applied.

Following a comprehensive independent review in 2018, a number of key reforms to the NTF were introduced to make it more responsive to employer needs, to give employers a greater say in informing priorities for the Fund and to improve overall governance, evaluation, transparency and oversight.

A key priority of the Fund is to strengthen and shape existing, and develop new, HE and FET provision to ensure alignment with workforce reskilling, upskilling and lifelong learning requirements.  This is essential to deliver on the talent needs of the economy and strengthen Ireland’s competitive position and reputation for an agile and responsive workforce.

The NTF allocates funding to 18 programmes, delivered across Government Departments, agencies and other bodies. SOLAS, Skillnet Ireland and the HEA account for approximately 98% of NTF funding.

2023

National Training Fund

Established by the National Training Fund Act, 2000, the National Training Fund (NTF) is a dedicated fund to raise the skills of those in employment; provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment and provide information in relation to skills requirements in the economy. 

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research and Science (D/FHERIS) is responsible for the overall management, monitoring and evaluation of the Fund, while the Minister for Finance manages and controls the investment.

The Fund is resourced by a levy on employers, which is collected through the PRSI employers’ contribution. Originally set at 0.7% of reckonable earnings, the rate was increased incrementally by 0.1% over three years, from 2018 to 2020, to the 1% rate currently applied.

Following a comprehensive independent review in 2018, a number of key reforms to the NTF were introduced to make it more responsive to employer needs, to give employers a greater say in informing priorities for the Fund and to improve overall governance, evaluation, transparency and oversight.

A key priority of the Fund is to strengthen and shape existing, and develop new, HE and FET provision to ensure alignment with workforce reskilling, upskilling and lifelong learning requirements.  This is essential to deliver on the talent needs of the economy and strengthen Ireland’s competitive position and reputation for an agile and responsive workforce.

The NTF allocates funding to 18 programmes, delivered across Government Departments, agencies and other bodies. SOLAS, Skillnet Ireland and the HEA account for approximately 98% of NTF funding.

Apprenticeships

Recognising that apprenticeships were one of the great casualties of the recession – registrations fell by 80% over the period - the Minister is attempting to not only reverse this trend and rebuild traditional pathways but to significantly expand apprenticeships into new industries with a commitment to doubling the number of apprenticeships and traineeships by 2020.

Apprenticeship is a programme of structured education and training which formally combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in an education and training centre.  An apprenticeship prepares participants for a specific occupation and leads to a qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications. There was a total of 4,843 new apprenticeship registrations in 2017 bringing the population to 12,849 by year end.  Currently, over 5,000 employers use the apprenticeship system as a talent pipeline in Ireland.   

Building on the Programme for Government, the Action Plan for Education contains a commitment to enrol 31,000 people on apprenticeship programmes in the period 2016-2020 which represents a near doubling on current activity.  The achievement of these ambitious targets will require commitment from a number of stakeholders and strong employer demand. 

The Plan sets out a clear pathway for developing new apprenticeships, a development timeline of 12-15 months, clear annual targets for apprenticeship registrations as well as targets for the development of new programmes.

2021

Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy

The ALL Strategy is a 10-year strategy to address unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy in Ireland.   The vision of ALL embodied in the Strategy is to ensure that everyone has the literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to fully participate in society and realise their potential. All adults in Ireland should have the literacy skills to enjoy a good quality of life within their families, communities and workplace. It takes a new innovative systems-based approach to literacy, adopting a cross-Government, cross-economy and cross-society approach which closely references complementary initiatives across relevant national strategies and policies.

In 2024 an allocation of over €1 million was given to 103 innovative projects across the country to support adults with unmet literacy needs, including numeracy and digital skills. The purpose of the Collaboration and Innovation Fund is to pay for projects that support adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs, and create a more equal society. 

A leaflet drop taking a ‘whole of society’ approach was delivered in June (ca. 1 million households) and was supported by a radio, digital and social campaign. A complementary national awareness campaign will be delivered in/around International Literacy Day in September 2024. The call to action was to the www.adultliteracyforlife.ie website, where information is provided on accessing local services.

The National Programme Office launched an ALL National Communications Campaign in June 2024, which centred around the key activity of a National Maildrop with An Post to over 1 million households in Ireland.  The key message of the campaign was "Let's talk about literacy” and complimentary communication activities took place to reinforce the message which included geotargeted social media and local radio ads.  The campaign for the first time focused on the ‘whole of society’ approach and raising awareness about how we can all support individuals with unmet literacy needs and create a more literacy-friendly society. The target audience was the influencer group (family, friends, work colleagues).

The National Literacy Coalition was set up in October 2023, and progress made. With membership of over 20 representing a broad spectrum of organisations and entities, including government departments and agencies, state services, non-governmental organisations and employers and trade unions, the National Literacy Coalition truly embodies the ‘whole of society’ approach of the ALL Strategy.

Additionally, 16 Regional Literacy Coalitions have now been formed to cover all parts of the country. Coalitions bring together a broad spectrum of key community organisations and representatives to for Regional Literacy Action Plans. This partnership approach is at an early stage and is already proving a powerful means for driving action to achieve the aims of the ALL Strategy across society. Examples of some broad actions in Coalitions include Literacy Awareness Training, Plain Language Training, and actions to create more literacy-friendly, accessible services for all.

2020

FET Strategy 2020-2024

The National Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-24, “Future FET: Transforming Learning” FET Strategy 2020-24 was launched by Minister Simon Harris on the 16th July 2020 and is framed around a vision for future FET in Ireland. This outlines how FET will provide pathways for a diverse group of learners, will support societal participation and strong communities, will prepare people for successful careers and a lifetime of learning and development and will be a major driver of Ireland's next critical phase of economic and social development. Priorities for the sector are set out across three core pillars:

• building skills
• creating pathways
• fostering inclusion

There is also a strong focus on enabling themes, including staffing, capital investment and measurement and data.

The strategy states that, by the end of 2024:

• There will be a greater overall penetration of FET across the population of Ireland
• A greater share of school leavers will be choosing FET or apprenticeship as their first destination
• People will move seamlessly between FET & HE with clear transition criteria in large numbers
• A significant and growing cohort of people in employment using FET to upskill and of employers viewing FET as a critical enterprise resource
• Progression levels through FET will increase strongly, with pathways from core skills and community education available to all who wish to pursue them
• A digitally transformed FET system will offer a large portfolio of flexible, online and blended opportunities

To support the achievement of these goals, strategy implementation will be informed by core FET Targets, strategic planning and funding processes, the enhancement of quality assurance processes in FET and the transformation in the availability and use of FET data.

Announcement of Ten Year Adult Literacy, Numeracy Digital Literacy Strategy

Increased literacy and numeracy support is a key component of the new FET Strategy 2020-2024’s strategic priority of Fostering Inclusion. Reflecting this the Minster for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science announced on International Literacy Day, 8th September, 2020 that he has tasked SOLAS with the development of a new 10 year strategy for adult literacy, numeracy and digital skills.

The strategy will take a whole-of-government approach and provide a framework to support individuals to improve their literacy, numeracy and digital skills. The aim of this new strategy will be to ensure that everyone has the literacy, numeracy and digital skills to meet their needs and participate fully in society. Its development will involve input by relevant Government Departments and agencies and in consultation with key stakeholders.

Skills to Compete

Covid-19 has had a major impact on the FET sector, with significant implications for the sector going forward. In response to the urgent need for activation, upskilling and reskilling for people who have been displaced from their jobs as a result of Covid-19 the Skills to Compete initiative has been developed.

SOLAS has developed this initiative in partnership with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and the ETBs, and with input from the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and industry representatives.

By combining and ramping up three strands of FET provision – transversal skills development to help employability; building the digital capabilities now required for almost every job; and specific Level 4-6 courses targeting growth sectors and occupations - and linking this to tailored advice and support, Skills to Compete can deliver a powerful labour market activation response.

Skills to Compete will be delivered through ETBs and work in tandem with INTREO offices, Regional Skills Fora, and Enterprise Ireland to effectively target individuals in need and prospective employers. Responses will be adapted to reflect regional requirements, based on local ETB understanding and labour market intelligence.

Skills to Compete will begin in Q4 2020 and will provide for 19,000 additional full time and part time places focused on those who have lost their jobs as a result of Covid-19. It is envisaged that it will be required over a period of at least 18 months to fully address the labour market disruption caused by Covid-19. An effective communication strategy will be fundamental to the success of Skills to Compete and it is planned to actively promote it via a concerted marketing initiative at national level, reinforced by regional campaigns led by the ETBs.

Skills to Advance

The projected figure for individuals participating in Skills to Advance in 2020 is 6500.  Please see full details of the Skills to Advance initiative above in 2019 updates.

The National Training Fund

The NTF levy has increased from 0.7% to 1.0% between 2018 and 2020. This has allowed for a total annual investment to grow by over €190 million in this timeframe. This additionality can be seen in particular in the following areas (figures framed pre-Covid):

• The overall Apprenticeship population will have grown by 60% since the end of 2017 to almost 20,000 by the end of 2020
• The new ETB Skills to Advance programme will provide upskilling to 8,000 people in the workforce by the end of 2020.
• The number of participants in Skillnet Ireland programmes will have increased by over 40% since 2017, reaching 69,000 in 2020.

Apprenticeship

Under a New Apprenticeship Plan 2012-2025 the Government have set a target of 10,000 annual apprenticeship registrations by 2025.  The new action plan will look at consolidating governance and funding structures across the existing apprenticeship programmes to firmly establish apprenticeship as a central route to skills development in Ireland. 

Apprenticeship will be central to the objectives of institutions and fully integrated into quality assurance and academic leadership arrangements, with appropriate space for flexibility in local delivery of these national programmes.

Consultation to inform the development of the new action plan is under way at the current time and it is expected that the plan will be finalised prior to year-end.

Covid-19 has impacted recruitment into apprenticeship programmes, largely due to staged lockdowns with recruitment down 60% on prior year levels at the end of June 2020. 

A time-limited Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme for employers of apprentices has been introduced whereby a €3,000 grant is paid over two years for each new apprentice who is registered between the period 01 March and 31 December 2020 and retained into Q3, 2021.  It is intended that this will stabilise apprenticeship recruitment levels as we enter the period of the new plan.