The strong turnout at a recent Mid-West Regional Skills Forum and Shannon Chamber collaborative event in Shannon shows keen interest in upskilling among the local workforce.
The event showcased the wide range of part-time, online, and flexible learning courses available in the Mid-West region through the University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Griffith College, and Shannon Chamber Skillnet.
Attendees were drawn from a wide range of companies and from many levels within those organisations. Joint organisers Helen Downes, chief executive of the Shannon Chamber, and Mid-West Regional Skills Forum manager Joe Leddin said there was positive engagement between education and training providers with employees and talent development managers across industry sectors.
“As the labour market continues to tighten, staff retention and career development through upskilling are core priorities for businesses. Bringing education and training on-site into industry, although not unique, does enable greater engagement and understanding amongst employees of the range of courses on offer particularly short, online accredited programmes that can assist with career progression.
“Hosting the event at Ei Electronics automatically gave hundreds of employees access to the institute representatives who were there to address any questions on the day. We hope the event will have encouraged attendees to evaluate their skills requirements and that they will now apply to participate in some of the many upskilling options available.”