Minister Killeen launches Wheel’s “Sector Skills Initiative”

Minister for Labour Affairs Mr. Tony Killeen today (Thursday 1^{s t} December 2005) launched The Wheel’s “Sector Skills Initiative” at the Alexander Hotel in Dublin.

Speaking at the launch the Minister said, “ This is an important new initiative that addresses the training needs of the Community and Voluntary Sector. The important contribution that the Community and Voluntary Sector has made to Irish society deserves greater acknowledgement and profiling. It is a centrally important channel in facilitating community involvement in decision-making, in informing national policy and in contributing to the general well being of our society”.

The Wheel, is a national network that facilitates inter-changes among community and voluntary organizations and that provides support, advocacy and leadership for community and voluntary activity. The organization has been involved in the Social Partnership process since 2003. It represents an estimated 4, 000 organisations, involving some 7, 000 individuals benefiting from its information and networking services. It is a voluntary and non-profit making organization and independent resource centre for others involved in the community/voluntary sector. The Wheel also implements and manages a programme to address the essential training needs of a wide range of community and voluntary organisations.

Sector Skills, which I am launching today contains a full report of the research undertaken, necessary responses identified and intended actions to effect them. Some of the findings and recommendations contained in the report include:

to take account of diverse needs of groups across the sector

to promote identification and recognition of training/skills needs that exist in the community/voluntary sector

to analyse and report on trends

to collaborate with other stakeholders to find solutions to training needs, including accreditation

to increase access to technical training via fund raising; legal advice, etc

“For this overall purpose, the National Training Fund is advancing €68,000 for phase 1 of the work that has been done on Sector Skills to date and the commissioning of research and identifying recommendations that flow from it. Additional funding of €1,000,000 has also been committed for phases 2 and 3. These will address training and skills programme design, development, implementation and evaluation”, the Minister added.

“I would like to congratulate you all on your commitment and generosity and to say, on behalf of the Government, that we recognise, support and applaud the important function that the Community and Voluntary sector is playing both in the social and in the economic development of this country”, the Minister concluded.

ENDS/LA 156