Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
147. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will develop a single web platform for online skills learning in line with the recently established skills toolkit in the United Kingdom. [7224/20]
View answerCollege is a leading learning platform funded by SOLAS that provides a range of high quality interactive online learning and training courses in business, project management, information technology, graphic design, web design, digital marketing, software development and basic computer literacy. eCollege courses are temporarily being made available free of charge as an additional support to those impacted by Covid-19 containment measures. The courses may benefit those already doing a FET course who would like to augment their learning, those who have recently become unemployed or had their hours reduced, and those wishing to upskill and reskill. Courses are designed to give a flexible response to the specific skills needs of individuals who require training interventions with certification to assist them to re-enter or upskill in the labour market.
One of the recommendations of the Indecon Review of Career Guidance centred on strengthening and promoting a user friendly centralised careers portal. Information in relation to educational provision, including online provision would form part of the information populating any such portal.
On foot of the Review of Career Guidance, a Taskforce comprised of senior officials from my Department was established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the review. The Taskforce has met five times to date and is progressing with the work assigned to it. The Taskforce has considered how best to enable the coordination of guidanceservices within the Department, while also seeking to ensure the provision of the quality careersinformation recommended by Indecon. It is expected that proposals in this regard will be discussed with stakeholders shortly.
In the interim, the extensive range of further education and training courses offered across the country can be found at www.fetchcourses.ie. Comprehensive, annually updated information is also provided about further and higher education and training options in Ireland through Qualifax, Ireland’s National Learners’ Database the "one stop shop" for learners and the public.
