Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
329. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that are in place regarding the training of persons for the retail and hospitality sectors; his plans regarding the advancement of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28019/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFÁS, through its Training Centres, Contracted Training, Momentum Programme and its Community Training interventions, provides a wide and diverse portfolio of training interventions designed to provide learners with the appropriate retail skills, knowledge and competencies to avail of an extensive range of labour market opportunities within this sector. The portfolio of courses shown below is typical and indicative but not exclusive or exhaustive: Retail Sales, Retail Skills, Retail Skills - Health and Beauty, Retail Employability Skills, Sales and Digital Marketing, IT Technology Sales and Customer Care. Also, Skillnets, which is an industry led organisation, supports companies from any sector or region to engage in training by co-investing in the delivery of the training with member companies of its training networks. They work in partnership with enterprise, in particular SMEs, by supporting the development of flexible and effective training delivery methods.
IBEC Retail Skillnet: this IBEC Retail Skillnet network commenced in 1999 and was developed to address the needs of those operating in the Retail Sector. Consequently, a broad cross section of retail operators has been brought together to form a network which is representative of the sector. The IBEC Retail Skillnet program offers FETAC certified on-the-job training for retail staff. This training has been developed by retailers for retailers. Through the delivery of its training the network aims to increase productivity levels, improve customer service and product knowledge, introduce modern merchandising techniques, improve staff morale, and reduce turnover and absenteeism levels. IBEC Retail Skillnet currently offers ten Modules which are accredited by FETAC at Level 5. The network provides training materials to guide candidates through each of the modules. The training materials are considered best practice, providing up-to-date, relevant information on retailing.
In conjunction with Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) IBEC Retail Skillnet offer an innovative three-year programme leading to a degree in Retail Management Practice. This is delivered using a blended learning approach combining Work Based Learning, guest lecturers, e-learning and traditional classroom delivery. In addition to the degree programme, IBEC Retail Skillnet have also developed a Masters programme in Retail which will be launched in Autumn 2013. In addition IBEC Retail Skillnet now offers an opportunity to achieve retail based qualifications through a process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). All the network's training programmes are open to job-seekers and in conjunction with the JobBridge programme suitable job-seeker candidates can avail of up to nine months' work-based training with member companies of the network. The Post Leaving Certificate programme operated mainly by Vocational Education Committees (VEC) also offer a number of one year full time retail and hospitality courses at levels 5 and 6 on the National Qualifications Framework. Fáilte Ireland has responsibility for the promotion and support of education and training for the tourism and hospitality industry and I understand it provides funding for the courses in Institutes of Technology.
