Strategic Performance Agreement

2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim

Education and Training Board

learning works

iiiStrategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

1. Introduction 1

2. ProfileoftheETBRegion 3

3. ETBFETProvision 6

3.1 StaffingandInfrastructure 6

3.2 FETProvision 8

4. ETBStrategicPriorities 12

4.1 ETBFETStrategicPriorities 12

4.2 RisksandChallenges 19

4.3 DeliveringonFETRelevantPolicies

andStrategies 19

5. ETBContributiontoNationalFETStrategy

andTargets 22

5.1 SkillsfortheEconomy 22

5.2 ActiveInclusion 23

5.3 QualityProvision 23

5.4 Outcomes-basedPlanningandFunding 24

5.5 Standing of FET 25

5.6 ETBContributiontoNationalFETTargets 25

6. Performance Agreement 28

AppendixA:MSLETBContributiontoNationalFET

SectorTargetsbySkillsCluster 30

AppendixB:ExplainingtheTargets 33

TableofContents

iv

1. Introduction

1Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Introduction

ThisagreementbetweenSOLASandMayo,SligoandLeitrimEducation

andTrainingBoard(MSLETB)setsoutthecontext,strategicprioritiesand

ETBcontributiontotheachievementof keynationalFurtherEducation

andTraining(FET)sectortargetsovertheperiod2018-20.Italso

articulatesMSLETB’scommitmenttosupportingtheimplementation

ofarangeofnationalpoliciesandstrategiesrelevanttoFETprovision

andidentifiesthekeyrisksandchallengeswhichmustbemitigated

andaddressedtoensuresuccessfuldeliveryofthisagreement.This

agreementistheproductofextensivedialogueandengagement

betweenSOLASandMSLETB,withindependentviewsandinputsfrom

apanelofexpertswithanunderstandingofIrishandinternationalgood

practiceinfurthereducationandtrainingsystems.

2

2. Profileofthe ETBRegion

3Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Section 2

ProfileoftheETBRegion

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

hasthelargestgeographicalareaofalltheETBs,

withatotalareaof9011km2.Thepopulationofthe

threecounties,asperthe2016Census,isasfollows:

Mayo,130,597;Sligo,65,535;andLeitrim32,044;witha

combinedtotalof228,176.

Theregionhasrelativelyloweducationalattainment

ratesincomparisontonationalbenchmarks.Ofthe

populationacrossthethreecounties,anaverageof26%

ofthoseaged15yearsandoverhavecompletedthird

leveleducation,comparedtothenationalaverageof

42%.AtthetimeofCensus2016,anaverageof1.5%of

thepopulationhadcompletednoformaleducation,

whilst8.8%ofthepopulationhadcompletedprimary

educationonly,comparedtoanationalaverageof7%.

ThenumberofPhDholdersincreasedfrom97in2011

to342in2016andthenumberholdingadvancedcerts/

apprenticeshipsincreasedby107inthesameperiodto

3,513.

Totalunemploymentlevelsintheregion,asof

November2017,are13,000approximatelyassetoutin

thetablebelow,representinganacross-the-board40%

fallcomparedwiththeheightoftherecession.

Under 25 25&Over TotalNov-17

Mayo 753 6859 7612

Sligo 407 2934 3341

Leitrim 211 1830 2041

Total 1371 11623 12994

Source: DSP

Thisdropinunemploymenthasnotbeenfeltequally

throughouttheregion.Themajorityofthosewho

arecurrentlyunemployedfallintothelong-term

unemploymentcategoryandmanyfaceadditional

disadvantageswhichconstraintheirabilitytofindwork,

orindeedtoaccesseducationandtrainingservices,

suchaspoorpublictransportservices,noaccessto

broadband,etc.

Thereductioninunemployment,thoughobviously

positiveandwelcome,hashadtheeffectofreducing

thenumbersofavailablelearnerstoMSLETB.

Consequently,MSLETBhasrefocusedfundingand

resourcesintotheareaofworkplacetraineeshipsand

apprenticeships.Adatabaseofemployershasbeen

developedtoforgebetterlinkswithindustry,sothat

learnersareparticipatingoncoursesthatofferskills

requiredbysuchindustry,therebyfurtherboosting

employabilityandreducingunemploymentlevels.

AccordingtothePobal-HaaseDeprivationIndex2016,

basedonthecombinationofthreedimensionsof

relativeaffluenceanddeprivation(demographicprofile,

socialclasscompositionandlabourmarketsituation),

theMSLETBareais“marginallybelowaverage”.

Afurtherbreakdownofthis,bycounty,showsthe

following:

― Mayohasarelativedeprivationscoreof-3.8

― Sligohasarelativedeprivationscoreof-0.16

― Leitrimhasarelativedeprivationscoreof-3.18

TheCSOfiguresshowthoseaged0-14and65+(the

‘age-dependentgroups’)represent38%oftheregion’s

population.Atotalof32,040(14.1%)ofthepopulationof

thethreecountieswasrecordedashavingadisabilityin

the2016Census,anincreaseof793from2011.Non-

Irishnationalsaccountfor10.9%ofthepopulationin

theregion.

POPULATION

228,176 UNEMPLOYMENT

14.2%(Source:2016Census)

MSLETBArea2016

4

Thetotallabourforce(aged15yearsandover)inthe

MSLETBareaisover105,000,distributedacrossthe

threecountiesasshowninthetablebelow:

%ofpopulation

inlabourforceLabourForce

Mayo 57.7 60,030

Sligo 57.9 30,252

Leitrim 59.3 14,891

Total 105,173

Source:2016Census

AccordingtotheCensus(2016)thereare105,173

peoplecurrentlyemployedintheMayo,Sligo&Leitrim

region.Themainsectorsofemploymentintheregion

areProfessionalServices(24.8%),CommerceandTrade

(19.5%)andManufacturing(13.4%).Itisnoteworthythat

theAgriculture,ForestryandFishingsectorprovides

employmentforover8%ofthoseworkingintheregion.

TheCensusdatashows70electoral

divisionsacrossthecountrythataredeemed

unemploymentblackspots–fiveofwhichareinCo.

Mayo.Intheseareas,theunemploymentrateisover

27%.Threeoftheunemploymentblackspotsarein

theWestMayoMunicipalDistrict–AnGeataMór

Theas,CnocnaLobharandCnocnaRáithe-withtwo

intheBallinaarea–BallinaUrbanandArdnareeSouth,

whichhadthehighestunemploymentrateofthesefive

areasatover31%.

5Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

3. ETB FET Provision

6

Section 3

ETBFETProvision

3.1StaffingandInfrastructure

InMSLETB,learnersandstaffareatthecentreof

theorganisation.Theexecutiveresponsibilityforthe

managementofMSLETB’sFETprovisionlieswith

theFETLeadersandPLCPrincipalsGroup,which

hasoversightofallMSLETBFETprovision.Thetable

belowoutlinesmembershipofrelatedgovernanceand

oversightgroups.

MSLETBcurrentlyemploysapproximately650staffto

deliverfurthereducationandtrainingandassociated

servicesinthearea.MSLETB’sstaffingstructure,on

aprogrammaticbasis,istypicalofallETBs,however,

MSLETBwasverynegativelyimpactedbythepublic

servicerecruitmentembargo.In2017/2018,MSLETB

iscurrentlyintheprocessoffillingseveralcore

vacanciesacrossFETservices.AlthoughMSLETBhave

filledafewkeyvacancies,anumberofkeypostsand

functionsremainvacant.TheseincludepostsinIT,

Quality,EmployerEngagement,ProgrammeDesign,

etc.MSLETB,withotherETBcolleagues,arecurrently

engagingwiththeDESregardingorganisationaldesign

andstaffresourcingandthisrequiresactionin2018.

MSLETBoperatesthefollowingservicesthroughout

Mayo,SligoandLeitrim:

― 19post-primaryschools

― 9PLCColleges(2arestand-alonerollnumbers-

WestportCFEandNorthConnaughtCollege)

― 4YouthreachCentres(withanadditional

YouthreachcentrebeingestablishedinLeitrim)

― CommunityTrainingCentre-SligoTrainingCentre

anda(20place)satellitelocationinCarrick-on-

Shannon

― 2OutdoorEducationCentres–AchillandLough

Allen

― 9VTOSCentres

― CommunityEducationInitiatives-inmultiple

locationsacrossthethreecounties

― MusicGenerationInitiatives-acrossthethree

counties

― SkillsforWorkProgrammes

― NightClassProvision-insixlocations

― 2TrainingCentres-locatedinSligoandBallina

― 5SpecialistTrainingProgrammes(2inMayo&

Sligo, 1 in Leitrim)

― 12LocalTrainingInitiatives-acrosstheregion

― BTEIProgrammes-infivelocationsacrossthe

threecounties

― AdultLiteracy-infivelocationsacrossthethree

counties

― AdultGuidanceandInformationServices-inthe

threecounties

― YouthServices

CE&DirectorsGroupMgmtLeadership

Group

FETLeaders&PLC

PrincipalsGroupQAGroup

Programme

Approval

Committee

― ChiefExecutive

― Director of FET

― Director of OSD

― Director of

Schools

― ChiefExecutive

― Director of FET

― Director of OSD

― Director of

Schools

― APO Finance

― APOHR

― APOCorporate

Services

― Area Training

Manager

― AEOs

― FET Director

― 3AEOs

― Area Training

Manager

― 3Assistant

Training

Managers

― 9PLCPrincipals

― FET Director

― AEOs

― Area Training

Manager

― Assistant

Training

Managers

― TSOs

― Quality

Management

SystemTeam

Lead

― QA FE Staff

MSLETB

― FET Director

― AEOs

― Area Training

Manager

― Assistant

Training

Manager

― TSOs

― Quality

Management

SystemTeam

Leam

― QA FE Staff MSL

7Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Thelocationofthefurthereducationandtraining

servicesprovidedbyMSLETBaresetoutinthe

mapbelow.

x

x x x x

x x x x

x x x

x x x x

x x x x

x x x

x x

x

x

x

x

xx

x

x

x x x

x x x

x x x

x x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x x

x

x x

x

x

Rossinver

Drumkeerin

Drumshanbo

Carrick-on-ShannonMohill

Collooney

BallymoteTobercurry

Claremorris

Ballinrobe

Westport

CastlebarKiltimagh

Swinford

Ballina

Crossmolina

Rossport

Belmullet

Achill

Clare Island

Inishturk

Sligo

MayoLeitrim

Sligo

PostLeavingCertificagteColleges(PLC)

Youthreach

TheVocationalTraining

OpportunitiesScheme(VTOS)

CommunityEducation

MusicGeneration

SkillsforWork(SFW)

NightClassProvision

TrainingCentres

ServicestoBusiness(STB)

CommunityTrainingCentres

SpecialistTrainingProgramme(STP)

LocalTrainingInitiatives

BackToEducationInitiative(BTEI)

AdultBasicEducationService

AdultEducationalGuidance&

InformationService(AEGIS)

YouthServices

8

3.2FETProvision

MSLETBofferpart-timeandfull-timeprogrammesunderthethreestrategiccategorieslinkedtoTargets1,2

and3setoutlaterinthisagreement:

PredominantlyLabourMarket

FocusedFETProgrammes

― ApprenticeshipTraining

― LocalTrainingInitiatives

― PLC

― SpecificSkillsTraining

― TraineeshipsTraining

― VTOS

PredominantlyProgressionFocused

FETProgrammes

― Youthreach

― Bridging&FoundationTraining

― CommunityTrainingCentres

― SpecialistTrainingProgrammes

― BTEIGroups

― SkillsforWork

PredominantlySocialMobility

(IndividualTransversalSkills)

FocusedFETProgrammes

― Adult Literacy

― ESOL

― FETCo-operationHours

― ITABE

― RefugeeResettlement

― Lifelong Learning

Inadditiontotheseprogrammes,MSLETBiscommitted

toofferingadditionallifelonglearningopportunities

throughcommunityeducation.MSLETBdelivers

programmesfromlevelonetosixontheNational

FrameworkofQualifications(NFQ)primarilycertified

byQQI.MSLETBalsoprovideprogrammesleading

tocertificationby:ECDL&Equalskills(IrishComputer

Society);CompTia(PearsonVue);MicrosoftOffice

Specialist(Certiport/Prodigy);BSENISO9606-1

(Welding–Metlab;FirstAidResponder(PHECC);

CIBTAC;CIDESCO;ITEC;City&Guilds;andAccounting

TechniciansIreland.

In2017,MSLETBreceived€31.9moffundingfrom

SOLAS.Thissupported16,872beneficiaries1acrossa

rangeofFETprogrammes.Inaddition,922learners

self-financedtheirparticipationonFETeveningclasses,

makinganoveralltotalof17,793beneficiaries.Analysis

ofFETprovisionissetoutbyskillsclusterinthetable

below.Thishighlightsthestrongfocusontransversal

skillsdevelopmentwithinthegenerallearningand

corepersonalcategories.However,italsohighlights

strengthsinprovisioninthekeyspecificskillsareas

identifiedearlier,likebusiness,hairdressing/beautyand

thebuiltenvironment.

1 Beneficiarynumbersincludethosealreadyenrolledat

1stJanuary2017

MSLETB2017

NUMBERSCOMMENCINGCOURSES

14,478

NOSCOMPLETINGCOURSES

11,614

NOOFOVERALLBENEFICIARIES

16,872

9Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

2017ProvisionbySkillsCluster

TotalActual

Beneficaries

%ofTotal

Beneficaries

Agriculture,HorticultureandMariculture 183 1.08%

AnimalScience 174 1.03%

Art,CraftandMedia

Arts&Crafts 233 1.38%

BuiltEnvironment 528 3.13%

Business,Admin&Management

Business,Administration 1,097 6.50%

CoreICT 863 5.11%

CorePersonal 4,948 29.33%

Engineering 37 0.22%

Engineering(Electrical)

Engineering(IT) 11 0.07%

Engineering(Mechanical) 149 0.88%

Engineering(Transport) 45 0.27%

Entrepreneurship 8 0.05%

FinancialServices 73 0.43%

FoodandBeverage 171 1.01%

GeneralLearning 3,498 20.73%

Hairdressing,BeautyandComplementaryTherapies 397 2.35%

Health,FamilyotherSocialServices 3,207 19.01%

InformationTechnology 134 0.79%

Management 46 0.27%

Manufacturing 192 1.14%

MediaGraphicsCommunications 125 0.74%

NaturalResources

ResearchandEducation-Training 76 0.45%

Sales&Marketing 51 0.30%

SamplingSkills

ScienceandTechnology 42 0.25%

Security,Guarding&EmergencyServices 109 0.65%

SportandLeisure 144 0.85%

Tourism 106 0.63%

TourismandSport

Transport,Distribution&Logistics 152 0.90%

WebDevelopment&Design 73 0.43%

Total 16,872

10

MSLETBiscommittedtoprovidingthefollowing

additionalcoreservicestopotentiallearners,employers

andthewidercommunitythroughthefollowing:

― YouthServices-MSLETBYouthServicessupport

theprovision,coordination,administrationand

assessmentofyouthworkservicesintheMayo,

SligoandLeitrimarea.Theservicecarriesout

qualityassuranceprogrammeswithyouthwork

servicesandwithvolunteer-ledyouthgroups,

administerfundingtoyouthworkserviceson

behalfofvariousgovernmentdepartmentsand

administerstheLocalYouthClubGrantScheme,

whichprovidessmallgrantsforvolunteer-led

youthgroups.InMayo,SligoandLeitrim,theETB

providessupporteachyeartoover100volunteer-

ledandoperatedyouthgroups,withover5,000

members.

― AdultEducationalGuidanceandInformation

Service(AEGIS)-Thisserviceprovidesassistance

topeopleinmakinginformededucationalcareer

andlifechoices.Adultsstartfromwheretheyleft

offineducationandtheGuidanceServiceprovides

supportastheymakechoicesandprogresswith

theirreturntoeducationandtraining.

― EmployerEngagement–MSLETBhasestablished

anEmployerEngagementGroupandanemployer

database.MSLETBcontinuetonetworkand

collaboratewithemployers,employergroups

(IBEC,ACBI,CIF,IHFRAI,etc.),RegionalSkillsFora

(RSF),educationproviders,stateagencies(SOLAS,

IDA,EnterpriseIreland,LEOs,etc.)andother

stakeholders.Anemployerservicesbrochure,

informationvideoandafulldirectoryofservices

isavailableonwww.msletb.ie,sligotrainingcentre.

ieandonotherindividualTrainingandFETCentre

websites.MSLETBiscurrentlydevelopinga

structurethatcanprovideanorganised,managed

two-waycommunications/interactivesystem

betweenemployersandtheETB.

― MusicGeneration-MusicGenerationMayo,Music

GenerationSligoandMusicGenerationLeitrimare

musiceducationservicesforchildrenandyoung

people,aged0-18yrs.TheyarepartofMusic

Generation–Ireland’sNationalMusicEducation

Programme,initiatedbyMusicNetwork,andco-

fundedbyU2,TheIrelandFunds,theDepartment

ofEducationandSkillsandlocalMusicEducation

Partnerships,(MEPs).Eachserviceismanaged

locallybyaMusicEducationPartnershipintheir

respectivecounties,underleadpartnerMSLETB.

11Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

4. ETBStrategic Priorities

12

Section 4

ETBStrategicPriorities

ThestatedvisionforMSLETBistoprovideinnovative

high-qualityeducationandFETservicesand

programmesthatprovidelearnerswithtransformative

opportunitiesforlifeandlivingintheWestofIreland.

MSLETB’sFETprovisionoffersawidevarietyoflifelong

educationandtrainingopportunities.FETisforanyone

whoisover16andwantstolearnnewskillsorenhance

existingskillstogettherightjob,progresstothirdlevel

orsupporttheachievementofpersonalgoals.

MSLETB’soverarchingstrategicstatementoutlinesthe

strategicMission,VisionandGoalsfrom2018to2022.

Thisstatementdocumentstheframeworkagainst

whichallschoolsandcentresoperate.TheMission,

VisionandGoalsareunderpinnedbyMSLETBCore

Valuesasfollows:

― Learner-Centred–deliverprofessional,high

quality,learner-centrededucationandtraining

services.

― Professional–treateveryonewithrespectand

adheretogovernanceprinciples;engageinCPD;

reviseandimproveworkpractice.

― Collaborative–worktogetherwithcolleagues,

stakeholdersandlearnersandimprove

communicationwithlearnersandcolleagues.

― Proactive–solution-focused,flexibleandopento

newideasandmakingservicesmoreresponsivein

meetingtheneedsoflearnersandstakeholders.

― Quality–activelyworkonnewapproachesand

standardstoimproveservices;evaluatingsystems,

workpracticesandprogrammestoidentifyand

implementopportunitiesforimprovement.

4.1ETBFETStrategicPriorities

AseriesofstrategicprioritiesforFETovertheperiod

2018-2020arediscussedinthesectionsbelow.

4.1.1LearnerExperience

Ultimately,MSLETB’smainmissionistodelivera

higherqualitylearningexperiencethatwilllead

tobetteroutcomesforallthosewhoengagein

FurtherEducationandTraining,andtosupportthe

Government’seconomicandsocialpriorities.Sincethe

developmentoftheFETStrategy,MSLETBhasbeen

harmonisingandintegratingFETprogrammesand

servicestodeveloplearningpathwaysforlearners.

Thephilosophybehindtheideaoflearningpathways

requiresaculturalshiftinthinkingataprogrammatic

level.Thelearningislessaboutthedestination,for

example,graduationfromVTOSandmoreabout

providingasustainabletransformativelearning

journeythatremovesbarriers.MSLETBlearners,who

useupskillingpathways,areaccessingapackageof

supportmeasurestoensuretheygettotheendof

theirlearning“journeys”.MSLETBrecognisesthateach

learnerislikelytohavetheirownindividualneeds,and

thesewillberelatednotjusttohowtheymightbest

learn,butalsotonon-learningobstaclessuchashealth

issues,accesstotransportation,etc.Thisrequiresthe

assemblyofmulti-professionalteamsincludingnotonly

educators,butalsosocialwelfareprofessionals,adult

guidancecounsellors,andinthecaseofYouthreach,

psychologists,etc.Eachlearnerpresentswiththeirown

uniquemixtureofneeds.

Atthebeginning,middleandendofthelearning

journey,MSLETBAdultEducationGuidanceand

InformationServices(AEGIS)playsakeyrole.They

provideindividualandgroupcounsellingand

necessary labourmarket,learningandcareer-related

information.Learnersneed preparation fortheexitfrom

theirupskillingpathway.MSLETBbelievesitshouldnot

beanexit,simplythenextstep.Thisserviceiskeyand

requiresadditionalinvestment.

IntheStrategicPerformanceAgreementperiod,

2018-2020,MSLETBisparticularlyfocussedon

improvingthelearningpathwayoutcomesand

progressionoflearnersfromtheYouthreachservices.

Severalinnovativeapproachesarecurrentlybeing

examined,includingaPLCprogrammeembeddedina

HEcampus.MSLETBisalsofocussedonthefollowing,

toimprovethelearnerexperience:

13Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

― Continuouslyreviewingprogrammesandtheir

outcomestoensuretheyaremeetingthefuture

needsoflearners,jobseekers,employersand

employees.

― Currentlypilotinganewprogrammaticevaluation

approachforallprogrammes.Thisapproach

willsystematicallyreviewthelearningjourney

fromplanning,registration,induction,delivery,

assessment,andtransfertoemploymentand/or

progressionbasedonquantitative,qualitativeand

feedbackfromthelearners,teachingstaffandFET

managementstaff.

― Establishmentofagrouptoexploreenhanced

transferopportunitiesfortheBoard’slearners

intofurtherorhighereducationand/orinto

employment.

― EstablishmentanEmployerEngagementGroup,

thisincludesanemployerengagementstrategy

anda‘smart’toolthatmapsallMSLETBemployers

andcapturesengagement.

― Continuingtocarryoutskillsneedsanalysisand

skillsauditsusingnational,regionalandlocaldata.

― Continuingtoreviewprogrammestoensurethey

arerelevant,flexibleandcosteffective.

― Promotionofanintelligence-led,‘bestpractice’

continuousimprovementFETenvironmentto

enhancetherelevancyoftrainingandeducation

provision.

― Collaborationwithallstakeholderstoinformand

continuouslyimproveplanningforFET.MSLETB

isreviewingeducationandtrainingprogrammes

usingevidence-basedplanningprocessesand

takingcognisanceofthefeedbackfromlearners

andotherstakeholders.

4.1.2ProgrammeDevelopment

MSLETBwillcontinuetoundertakeregularstakeholder

consultationanddevelopitsdeliveryofflexibleFET

courseswithreferencetotheNationalSOLASFET

Strategy2014-2019,SOLASFETPlanningParameters

2018-2020andtheSOLASCorporatePlan2017-

2019.MSLETBisdevelopingandimplementingan

integratedFETplanningprocessthatensuresthatthe

needsoflocalcommunities,learnersandemployers

areidentifiedandrespondedtoinanappropriate

andtimelymanner,inlinewiththerequirementsand

prioritiesoftheFETStrategy.

Asignificantdevelopmentin2018inMSLETB,is

thedevelopmentofanonline/blendedresource

forteachers/tutors/instructorstodeliverthe

CommunicationscomponentatNFQLevel5.This

resourcewillbeavailabletosupportallcoursecontent

deliveryacrossMSLETB.

MSLETBcurrentlyoffers,andwillexpand,awiderange

ofcoursesthatsupportthedevelopmentoflearners’

transversalskills,asdefinedbyUNESCO(2014).These

includeprogrammesthatsupportthedevelopmentof

thefollowingskills:

― Criticalandinnovativethinking

― Inter-personaldevelopment(e.g.presentation

andcommunicationskills,organisationalskills,

teamwork,etc.)

― Interpersonalskills(e.g.self-discipline,enthusiasm,

perseverance,self-motivation,etc.)

― Globalcitizenship(e.g.tolerance,openness,

respectfordiversity,interculturalunderstanding,

etc.)

― Mediaandinformationliteracy,suchastheability

tolocateandaccessinformation,aswellasbeing

abletoanalyseandevaluatemediacontent

MSLETBiscurrentlyexpanding,leadingand

developing,asthecoordinatingprovider,new

generationapprenticeshipsandispartneringand

collaboratingwithothereducationandtraining

providersinsupportingarangeofnewandexisting

apprenticeships.MSLETBisalsoplayingaleadrolein

theprovisionandrolloutofnewtraineeships.Specific

developmentsarediscussedfurtherinsection4.1.6.

MSLETBiscurrentlyaleadETBinthedevelopmentand

validationofnewFETawardsundertheQQIPolicies

andCriteriaforthevalidationofprogrammesleadingto

CommonAwardSystem(CAS)(firstpublishedin2016).A

nationalworkinggroupcomprisingrepresentativesfrom

ETBI,FESS,severalETBsandQQI,hasbeenestablished

todevelopasectoralapproachtoimplementation,and

aseparatetimelinehasbeenagreedaspartofthis

process.ForETBs,thecurrentQQIpolicywillapplyto

allprogrammesleadingtomajorawardsfrom1stMay

2018andwillapplytoallotherprogrammesfromthe

1stSeptember2018.MSLETBisleadingtheinaugural

pilotindevelopingAgricultureAwardsatNFQLevels5

&6andaspecialpurposeawardunderthenewcriteria.

MSLETBwillalsoworkonthereformofPLCprovision

inlinewiththefindingsofthenationalprogramme

evaluationpublishedbySOLASinJanuary2018.This

willincludetherebalancingofPLCprovisiontowards

skillsareaswithagreaterlabourmarketfocusanda

moreconsistentapproachtoworkplacement.There

iscurrentlyaprogressionratefromPLCcompletion

tohigherandfurthereducationofapprox.19%.

ProgressiontoHEandFEremainsacriticalpriorityof

thePLCprogrammeandMSLETBwillaimtoincrease

thisrateovertheperiodofthisagreement.

14

4.1.3StaffDevelopment

ThediverserangeofserviceprovisionatMSLETB

issupportedbyarangeofspecialistroleswithin

theorganisation.Thisrequirestargetedinitiativesin

theareasofrecruitment,staffdevelopmentandthe

creationofapositiveworkplaceenvironmenttoensure

thattheorganisationretainshigh-calibrestaff,develops

theskillsofstaffwhile,atthesametime,developing

highlyeffectiveleaders.

― MSLETBcontinues,throughactiveplanning,to

identifytherolesrequiredwithintheorganisation

anddeveloptargetedrecruitmentcampaigns,with

focusonroleswhereasupplyskillsdeficithas

beenidentified.

― MSLETBcontinuestofosteracultureof

professionaldevelopmentandsupportforallstaff

throughthetargetedprovisionofappropriate

learninganddevelopmentinitiativestoimprove

anddeveloptheirknowledgeandcapabilities.

― MSLETBcontinuestoactivelypromoteandenable

stafftoparticipateinCPDprogrammesdelivered

throughtheDESProfessionalDevelopmentService

forTeachers.

― MSLETBisactivelypromotingandparticipatingin

theNationalSOLASFETCPDStrategytoenhance

theskillsandknowledgeofstaffdeliveringinFET,

includingfacilitatingaccesstoCPDacrossthe

identifiedareasoffocus(technologyenhanced

learning;qualityassurance;vocationalupskilling,

managementtraining,enterpriseengagement,ICT

andworkingwithandsupportingadultlearners).

― MSLETBnurturesleadershipcapacityby

supportingstafftoavailoflearning,development,

coachingandmentoringprogrammesandto

engageinleadershiproleswithintheirschool/

centreandacrosstheETB,whereappropriate.

― MSLETBcontinuestoenable,withinavailable

resources,amodelofsupportthatallowsfor

thereleaseofstafftopartakeofrelevantand

appropriateCPDopportunities.

― MSLETBcontinuestoenablestafftogetinvolved

withnationalbodiesinthedevelopmentand

implementationofnationalpolicyinitiativesandto

supporttheirinvolvement.

― MSLETBwillreviewopportunitiesforstafftoavail

ofworkplacementopportunitiesinindustry/

businessandothertraining/learningsettings.

― MSLETBwillintroduceasystemtomonitorand

recordprofessionaldevelopmentofstaff.

4.1.4EmployerEngagement

InMSLETB,employerengagementtakesmanydifferent

forms-employerparticipationinclassrooms;employer

involvementinthedevelopmentofoccupational

standards;workplacement;work-basedlearning;

mentoringrelationships;involvementincurriculum

designortheaccreditationofprogrammes;knowledge

transfer,researchanddevelopmentandsupporting

start-ups.

In2017,MSLETBestablishedanEmployer

EngagementTeam.Thepurposeofthisteamisto

integrate,harmoniseanddevelopaunifiedemployer

engagementapproachacrossMSLETB.Itiscritical

thatthereisaneffective,openandcleartwo-way

communicationprocessbetweentheeducationand

trainingsectorandtheworldofwork.Theteam’s

maingoalsaretoensurethatMSLETBareaddressing

theneedsofemployers,followingupeffectively,

deliveringaconsistentmessageoncapabilitiesand

thatthevoiceoftheemployeriscentraltoallthat

happens.Already,aninnovativeoutcomeoftheteam

isthedevelopmentofanEmployerEngagementTool/

ApplicationthatmapsallemployerswithintheMSLETB

region(andoutside),capturesallengagementsona

real-timedatabase,automatesfollow-upviaanexisting

integratedplatform,eliminatesduplication,assistsin

providingaconsistentmessageandprovidesdataon

progress.MSLETBiscurrentlysharingthisinnovation

withotherETBswhowillcollaborateinitsongoing

development.

MSLETBisengagedwithseveralcompanies

deliveringFETservicesdirectlyintheworkplace.For

example,theSkillsforWorkprogrammeisactively

workingwitharangeofemployersfromtheretail

sectortoupskillandreskillemployees.Evening

courseprovisioninMSLETBTrainingCentresinSligo

andBallinaalsoprovidesopportunitiesforthosein

employmenttoaccessFETservices.

ThroughMSLETB’sengagementwiththeRegional

SkillsFora(RSF),anICTandFinTech(Financial

Technology)skillsneedsauditwasrecentlyconducted

andaclearsetofgoalstoenhanceupskillingin

thesesectorswasagreed.Utilisingthe‘Employer

Engagement’database,MSLETBidentifiedemployers/

sectorparticipantsandsharedthisinformationwiththe

RSF.Followingonfromthisengagement,anongoing

ICTandFinTechClustergrouphasbeenestablished.

Anexampleofanoutputfromthegroupisaworkshop

aimedatMSLETB’ssecond-levelschools,outliningthe

benefitsandopportunitiesofworkingintheICTand

FinTechSectorsandlinkingupcompanieslocallywith

potentialfutureemployees.

15Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

4.1.5ActiveInclusionandLearnerswithaDisability

ActiveinclusionisanMSLETBpriorityandissupported

bytheoveralleducationandtrainingpolicy.The

priorityforMSLETBistoenableeverycitizen,including

thoseexperiencingbarrierstothelabourmarket(for

example,peoplewithadisability,refugees,earlyschool

leaversorthosewithlowerlevelsofskills)tofully

participateandaccessarangeofqualityFETservices

and,ultimately,togainajob.MSLETBwillcontinueto

seektoincreaselevelsofactiveinclusionthroughthe

provisionofhighquality,moreaccessibleandflexible

educationandtrainingprogrammesandsupports

suitedtotheidentifiedneedsoftheindividual.Specific

actionsinclude:

― ThecontinuousreviewofFETprovisiontoensure

thatprogrammesarerelevantandmeetingthe

needsofthelearner.

― Supportingjobseekersandunemployedpeople

togainskills,up-skillorre-skillthrougharangeof

relevantlabourmarketprogrammes.

― Providelong-termunemployedandyoung

unemployedpeoplewithopportunitiestoenhance

theirjobprospectsthroughvalue-addedactivities

suchasjobsearch,guidance,workexperience,and

othereducationandtrainingactivities.

― Engageallunemployedyoungpeopleunderthe

ageof25,withaviewtoensuringthattheyreceive

agood-qualityofferofemployment,continued

education,anapprenticeshiporatraineeshipwithin

aperiodoffourmonthsofbecomingunemployed

or leaving formal education.

― Enhanceemployabilityskillsforyoungpeople

throughnon-formalandinformallearning

opportunitiesthroughtheYouthreachProgramme.

― Supporttheincreasedparticipationofpeoplewith

disabilitiesinworkby:buildingskills,capacityand

independence;providingbridgesandsupportsinto

work;promotingjobretentionandre-entryinto

work;providingseamlesssupportandengaging

withemployers,aspartoftheComprehensive

EmploymentStrategyforPeoplewithDisabilities

2015-2024.

― Raiseawarenessoflearningopportunitiesand

supportgreaterengagementofpeoplewith

literacyandnumeracyneedsinFET.

― IntegrateliteracyandnumeracyintoallFET

programmes,therebyensuringthatrelevant

literacyandnumeracyskillsaredevelopedaspart

ofthesubjectspecificlearning.

― Provideintensivelearningprogrammesforavariety

ofgroupsincludingunemployedpeople,peoplein

theworkplaceandfamilies.

― Supportmarginalisedgroupsandethnicminorities

toaccessarangeofinclusiveFETservices.

― ProvideESOLcoursestomigrants,aswellas

ongoingsupport,inorderraiseawarenessofother

servicesandsupportthemtoprogressintofurther

educationandtraining.MSLETBwillalsoprogress

theimplementationsofthereviewofESOL

provisionwhichwaspublishedbySOLASandETBI

inMarch2018.

Learnersaccessingliteracy,numeracyandESOL

programmespresentwithavarietyofneedsrelating

toreading,writing,speaking,spelling,numeracy,ICT,

etc.MSLETBservicesnotonlyprovideliteracyand

numeracysupporttothelearnersbutalsoattempt

toenhancetheircommunicationsandpersonal

effectivenessskills.Mostlearnersareinsmallgroups,

withareducingamountofone-to-onetuition(where

thisisnecessary).Yearonyear,thereisanincrease

intheamountofaccreditedprovisionthroughoutthe

service.MSLETBofferscoursesatLevels1,2and3on

theNFQandlearnershavetheoptiontopursueMinor

andMajorAwards.Ascoursesareallpart-time,itmay

takeastudentacoupleofyearstoachieveafullaward.

In2017,66%ofAdultLiteracylearnerswereattending

accreditedprogrammesfromLevels1-3.However,

only30%oflearnersattainedcertification.MSLETBis

endeavouringtoimproveuponthesecertificationrates

throughoutthedurationoftheStrategicPerformance

Agreement2018-2020.Itmustbenoted,however,

thataccreditationisonlyonemeasurementforthese

learnersanditisimportanttoalwaysbemindfulabout

meetingtheotherneedsofthelearners.Themed

literacyprogrammesaredevelopingwellwithin

MSLETBandhavethepotentialtoreachpeoplewith

poorliteracyandnumeracyskillsthroughoffering

coursesthatarevocationalinnaturebutofferalarge

level of integrated literacy and numeracy content, e.g.

motormaintenance,cookery,horticulture,etc.

From2018onwards,MSLETBhaveimplemented

severalactionstoimproveitsadultliteracyservices.

Aharmonisedandintegratedapproachtoinitial

screening/assessmentofallFETlearnerspriorto

startingacoursehasbeenintroduced,deployingthe

bestpracticetoolkitproducednationallyearlierin2018

fortheassessmentofliteracyandnumeracyatLevels1

to3.MSLETBisalsoidentifyingappropriateprogression

routesforallFETlearnersearlyintheinteraction,with

eachlearnerthenassistedtodevelopanindividual

learningplan.

MSLETBoffersawiderangeoffurthereducationand

trainingprogrammesthatcanopenthedoortoexciting

newcareersandemploymentopportunitiesforpeople

withdisabilities.ProgrammesthroughMSLETB’s

specialisttrainingprovisionforpeoplewithdisabilities

include-ECDL,ArtsandCraft,Media,Catering,

Tourism,HospitalityandLeisure,BusinessStudiesand

Administration,ComputersandIT,Horticultureand

Environment,andCareerExplorationandEmployment.

AllMSLETBcoursesareavailableforpeoplewith

disabilitiestoaccessandMSLETBassistswith

‘reasonableaccommodation’fortheselearners.For

studentswithspecificlearningdifficulties,MSLETB’s

mainaimistobeflexiblewiththerangeofprogrammes

onoffertoaccommodatetheirneedsandtoprovide

themwiththeessentialtoolstocompletethecourse

successfully.

16

MSLETBwillcontinuetohaveapositiveandproactive

approachtopromotetheinclusionoflearnersonto

coursesthatcanmeetthelearners’needsand

potential.Itwillcontinuetoconsiderandprioritise

supporttoaddresstheneedsofparticularcohortsof

learnersincludingthelong-termunemployed,people

withdisabilities,loneparents,joblesshouseholds,

Travellersandotherunder-representedgroups.Thisis

basedontheexistingpracticeandwillbecontinued.

4.1.6ExpansionofApprenticeshipsandTraineeships

MSLETBisveryactiveinthedevelopmentofnew

apprenticeshipsandtraineeships.MSLETBiscurrently

workinginaleadcapacitywithemployersonnew

generationapprenticeshipsinsales,andbutchery.

MSLETBistheco-ordinatingproviderforboththe

CraftButcheryApprenticeship,incollaborationwith

AssociationofCraftButchersofIreland,andthe

AssociateSalesProfessionalApprenticeship.Asthe

leadETBinboththesenewapprenticeships,MSLETB

havebeenattheforefrontoftheimplementationofthe

plannedgovernmentexpansionofapprenticeshipand

traineeships.Otherinitiativesinclude:

― MSLETBisacollaboratingproviderwithFITonthe

newNationalTechApprenticeships.

― MSLETBisacollaboratingproviderwithKerryETB

andtheIrishHotelsFederationonthenewCommis

ChefApprenticeshipandplantocommenceoff-

the-jobdeliveryintheHospitalityTrainingUnitin

September2018.

― MSLETBisactivelyengagedinexisting

apprenticeships,providingapprenticeshipadvisory

servicestoapproximately700localemployers

withapprenticesinthesetrades.CurrentlyMSLETB

provideoff-the-jobapprenticeshiptrainingin

severalapprenticeships–MAMF,Electrical,EI,C&J,

VBR,PlumbingandToolmaking.IntheStrategic

PerformanceAgreementperiod2018-2020,itis

plannedtoactivelypromoteapprenticeshiptothe

legacyemployersinMSLETBandnewemployers

inboththeexistingandnewapprenticeships.

― ThetraditionaltraineeshipsofHealthService

Skills,OutdoorActivityInstructorandITSupport

Specialistwillcontinuetobeofferedinthe

MSLETBarea.MSLETBrecentlypilotedtheCareer

TraineeshipinHospitalityasadirectresponse

tolocalemploymentneedsandlackofskilled

personnel,inthehospitalityindustry,particularlyin

areasalongtheWildAtlanticWay.Thiscontinues

tobeasuccessfulventure;thefourthiterationof

thistraineeshipisunderwaycurrently.

― MSLETBcontinuestoengagewithlocalemployers

intheManufacturing/Engineeringsectorwitha

viewtodeliveringaTraineeshipinEngineering.

OccupationalSkillsProfilingforthissectorhas

beencompletedwithaviewtocommencingthe

Traineeshipinlate2018.

― Workingwithsomeofthelargeremployers,

MSLETBarescopingthedeliveryoftheAdvanced

ManufacturingTraineeshipinNorthMayo.MSLETB

isalsoliaisingwithCPAIrelandtolaunchthe

CertifiedProfessionalAccountancyTraineeshipin

theMSLETBregion.MSLETBisalsodeveloping

aTraineeshipinsportsbroadcastinginRossport,

linkingwithlocalemployers,andplansto

commenceinSeptember2018.

― ThereareseveralotherTraineeshipinitiatives

thatarecurrentlybeingexploredasthe

TraineeshipmodelexpandsacrossallMSLETB’s

full-timecourseprovisione.g.Hairdressing,

Beauty, Media, etc.

4.1.7TechnologyEnhancedLearning(TEL)

MSLETBiscurrentlyheavilyinvolvedinimplementing

itsTELstrategicgoal.Throughoutthedurationof

theStrategicPerformanceAgreement2018-2020,

alllearninginMSLETBFETwillbesupportedand

enhancedusingelectronicmedia.

Strategic Objective 1–MSLETBwillhavethebest

possibletechnologyinfrastructure.

1. In2017,MSLETBwilldevelopaplantoimprove

broadbandandwirelessinternetandnetwork

accessinallcentres.

2. In2017,MSLETBwillcommittoinvestin

technologyforlearningasrequired.

Strategic Objective 2–Incorporatetechnologyin

allFETprogrammedesignanddelivery.

1. In2017,allprogrammeswillincorporate

technologyenhancedlearninginallfull-time

programmesandonaphasedbasisacross

part-timeprovision.

2. Startingin2017,allfull-timeprovision(andon

aphasedbasisacrosspart-timeprovision)will

berequiredtointegrateinnovativeapproaches

suchastheflippedclassroom;‘bringyour

owndevice’;blendedlearning;socialmedia;

interactive,individualisedlearningplans;

feedbackmechanismsandassessmentsinto

FETprogrammesasappropriate.

Strategic Objective 3–Makelearningcontent

availableononlinelearningplatforms.

1. From2017,e-learningcontentsupporting

thecourselearningoutcomestobemade

availableasappropriateforthesubjectarea

orclientgroupacrossthefullspectrumofFET

provisione.g.eBooks,video,virtualanimations,

simulationsandeLearningresources.

Strategic Objective 4–Promoteandprovidehigh

qualitycontinuousprofessionaldevelopmentin

technologyenhancedlearning.

1. From2017,MSLETBwillcommence

buildingexpertiseandconfidenceinusing

technologytoteachandtoenhancelearning

forexistingstaff.

17Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Thereisevidencethatwhenblendedlearningis

designedandimplementedeffectively,ithasthe

potentialtotransformthelearningexperienceforall

thoseinvolved.MSLETBexpectstangiblebenefitsto

ariseoutfromblendedlearningexperiences.

Forstudents:

― Improvementsinlearningstyle,insightand/or

reflection.

― Enhancementofskills,employabilityand/or

confidence.

― Enhancedsatisfaction,motivation,attendanceand/

or retention.

― Enhancedrecruitmentthroughgreateraccessibility

oropening-upofnewmarkets.

Forstaff:

― Astimulustocreativeteachingandtoeducational

research.

― Enhancementofstaffsatisfactionandretention.

― Enhancementofstaffskills,employabilityand/or

confidence.

Forassessment:

― Removemuchoftheburdenofmanaging

assessments,freeingupstafftofocusonsetting

effectiveassessmenttasksandgivingeffective

feedback.

― Allowassessmentstobemoreandmore

transparent,uniformandfair.

― Allowstudentsopportunitiestopractice

assessmenttasksbeforeundertakinghighstakes

assessment,andoptionallytochoosethetimingof

theirassessment.

― Generatemultipleinstancesof‘thesame’task,

problemorquestiontoallowmultipletechnology

inlearningopportunitiesforpractice.

― Allowassessorstosharetasks,problemsand

questions,learnfromeachother,andstandardise

goodpracticeacrossassessingbodies.

Forthelearningorganisation:

― Timesavingforteachingandotherfrontlinestaff

(however,extratimeburdenshavealsobeen

recorded).

― Specialismanddiversificationofteachingroles

(somebenefitsandsomeriskshavebeenreported).

― Moreeffectiveuseofresources/managementof

assets.

― Performanceinqualityreviews.

4.1.8DataandSystemsImprovement

Businessintelligenceanddataisimportantasadriver

ofknowledgetoenhancemanagerialdecisionmaking,

toimproveplanningandtobeproactiveandready

torespondtoanychallengesthatemerge.Brexitisa

goodexampleofthis.MSLETBaremonitoringthisvery

closely.ThroughoutMSLETB,thereareworkerswho

crosstheborderinbothdirections.Accordingtothe

CentreforCrossBorderStudies-BorderPeopleProject,

itisestimatedthatapproximately30,000peopleare

crossingthebordertoworkineitherjurisdiction.The

shapeofthefinalBrexitsituation,iftheUKandNorthern

IrelandwerenottoretainaccesstotheSingleMarket,

couldhaveseriousimplicationsonthecontinuityof

bothprivateandpublicsectortoemployworkersfrom

across theborder.Inadditiontoregularconsultation

withkeystakeholders,MSLETButilisestheSOLAS

LabourMarketResearchUnittoprovidecriticallabour

marketintelligence.ThereportsfromtheExpertGroup

onFutureSkillNeeds(EGFSN)andtheNationaland

RegionalLabourMarketBulletinsprovidecriticallabour

marketdataandanalysistoMSLETBinsupportofthe

jointSOLAS/ETBannualbusinessplanningexercise

andinfluencestheongoingprovisionofcoursesin

MSLETB.

MSLETBiscurrentlyimplementingPLSSandFARR,and

thisisbeingsupportedcentrallythroughaninternally

appointedchampion. MSLETBarerepresentedonthe

nationalPLSSadvisorygroup.MSLETBalsoprovides

FARRandPLSStrainingtostaffasrequired.Support

isofferedtoschoolsandcentresinusingthesystems.

MSLETBrecognisestheimportanceofdataasadriver

ofknowledgeinthecontextoftheplanningprocess

andtheneedtoensurethequalityofdatainputaround

PLSS.

MSLETBhasidentifiedmanystrengthswiththissystem.

PLSSisadatarepositorywhichhasresultedinthe

reductionofad-hocmanagementinformationsystems

(MIS)atacentrelevel.Thesystemfacilitatesintegration

andmetricsforself-evaluationofprogrammesusing

FARRandPLSSreportingfunctions.Recentupdatesin

thesystemhaveresultedinthereductionintheamount

ofreportingrequiredatcentrelevel.Thesystemhas

additionalbeneficialfeaturessuchasnotifications,

onlinepaymentsandonlineapplicationsystemthrough

FETCHcourses.MSLETBrecognisesthebenefitofthe

developmentoftheFETCHcourseswebsite,which

collatesanddisplaysPLSScourseinformation.The

NationalCourseCalendarSchedule(NCCS)provides

courserecruitmentfacilitiestoenablescheduled

coursestoattract‘referrals’throughtheFETCH

websiteandintegrationwiththeDEASPBOMIsystem.

Thelearnerdatabaserecordsenable‘touchpoints’,

whichgivethefunctionalityofreal-timeinformation

ondropout,completion,certificationandfollowup

whichisverybeneficialregardingplanning,measuring

outcomesandreportingofFETprovision.

18

Thesystemhasmanybenefits,however,there

areseveralissuesidentifiedbyusers.MSLETB

acknowledgesthatworkiscurrentlyunderwayto

furtherintegratethesystemwithothersystemssuchas

theQBS,P-pod,ESF,DESstatisticalreturns,andSUSI.

Thecurrentlackofintegrationandinterconnectivity

withothersystemsrequiresschoolsandcentresto

manuallyexportdata,whichcarriesrisksregarding

datatransferthatarebeingmitigatedatacentrelevel.

Thesemattersarecurrentlybeingaddressedandit

isessentialthatadministrationisminimisedsothat

MSLETBpersonnelcanfocusonthequalityofteaching

and learning.

MSLETBhaveidentifiedanumberofopportunities

whichwouldofferadditionalfunctionalityonthe

system,forexample,timetablingfacilitiesthatwould

enablecentrestonolongerrequireprivateMIS,

reducingduplicationofwork.Schoolsandcentres

promoteFETCHcoursesandadviselearnerstoaccess

FETprovisionviathesite,however,MSLETBhave

identifiedthatanationalmarketingcampaignwouldbe

verybeneficial;utilisingsocialmedia,aviralcampaign,

traditionalmediasourcesandsocialmediainfluencers

tobuildbrandawarenessandrecognition.

Furtherissueshavebeenidentifiedasbarriers

tousingthesystembyusers,suchasthelackof

administrativesupportinFETtocompletereporting

andadministrationrequirements;GDPRconsiderations

inrelationtothecollection,handlingandstorageof

dataand;learners’non-disclosureofdataresultingin

incompletedatasetsandIRconcerns.

4.1.9StrategicPartnerships

MSLETBhaveagreedMemorandumsofUnderstanding

(MOUs)andhaveexcellentworkingrelationships

withGMIT,ITSligoandSt.Angela’sCollege(NUIG).

Inallcases,advancedentrypathwayshavebeen

mappedforallrelevantFETprogrammesdelivered

throughoutthenineMSLETBPLCColleges.MSLETB

isworkingcollaborativelywithallthreeITsonseveral

initiativesincludingthefollowing:improvedlinkages

withMSLETBpost-primaryschools;jointlyaligning

programmeprovisiontotheneedsofthenationaland

locallabourmarket;eliminatingduplicationofprovision;

CPDforstaff;andcollaboratingandassistinginthe

developmentofnewapprenticeshipsandtraineeships.

Itistheexperience,andisclearlyrecognisedby

bothGMITandSligoIT,thatFETgraduateshavea

muchhighercompletionrateonHigherEducation

(HE)programmes.TheclearmajorityofMSLETB

graduatessuccessfullycompletethirdlevelcourses

oncetheycommencethem.ThroughouttheStrategic

PerformanceAgreement2018-2020,itistheintention

ofMSLETBtoworkcloselywithitseducationpartnersin

HigherEducationto:identifybarrierstoaccess,transfer

andprogressionandproposeappropriateandfeasible

solutions;creategreaterawarenessofopportunitiesfor

studentswhoareintheFurtherEducationandTraining

SectortoprogresstoHigherEducation;collaborate

onenhancingtransparentvisibleaccess,transferand

progressionpathwaysandprogressionopportunities

acrosstheregion;identifywhereresourcesandgood

practicecouldbesharedandtoexplorethematic

collaborations;fosterandsupportresearchonaccess,

transferandprogressionacrosstheFET&HEsectors

toinformpolicy;provideopportunitiestoshareand

disseminateinformationrelevanttostaffandstudents;

andcollaboratewithwiderstakeholdergroupsto

furthertheaboveobjectives.

In2018,MSLETBagreedanMOUwiththeDepartment

ofEmploymentAffairsandSocialProtection(DEASP)

intheWestandNorthWestregion.Thepurposeof

thisframeworkistoestablishmorestructuredlinksat

national,divisionalandarealevelsbetweentheDEASP

andMSLETB.Thisframeworkfacilitatestheexchange

ofdatabetweentheorganisationsandthereferralof

clientstosuitableeducationandtraininginterventions

providedbytheETB.TheobjectiveistoprovideDEASP

clientswiththeknowledge,skills,competenceand

supportstoassistthemtofindajobortoprogressto

furthereducationandtraining,ifappropriate.

Inadditiontothis,MSLETBisactivelyworkingwith

LocalAuthorities(throughtheLocalCommunity

DevelopmentCommittee)andotherstakeholdersto

identifyandprovideservicesforcitizensingeneral

and,specifically,marginalisedandat-riskgroups,

e.g.refugeesineachofthethreecountiesandnew

initiativestoassistTravellergroups.

19Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

4.2RisksandChallenges

Overthelast3-4yearstherehavebeennewstructural

changesandpolicyinitiativeshappeningaroundthe

FETlandscapeinIreland.WhilstMSLETBwelcomes

thenewgoals,actionplansandstrategiesthatarenow

inplaceinFET,itisimperativethattheyarebackedup

withproperresources.Itisprovingverychallengingto

implementwhathasalreadybeenrolledoutbecause

ofthelackofactionontheoperational,fundingand

structuralchangesthatareneededatanETBlevel.A

numberofcore,overarchingchallengesexist:

― Lackofinvestment–inrelationtocapitalbudget,

ICT,personnel,CPD,etc.

― Staffing–theimpactoftheemploymentembargo

andfit-for-purposeorganisationalstructure;

availabilityofqualifiedteachers/instructorsinnew

skillsareasandwithprogrammedevelopment

skills;CPDsupports.

― Programmedevelopment–currentlyFET

programmesareattheendoftheirshelf-life

andnewprogrammesneedtobedeveloped

undernewvalidationcriteria.Thenewvalidation

criteriafundamentallychangethewaythat

programmesaredeveloped,managed,delivered

andcontinuouslyadapted.Currently,littleorno

mechanismsorinfrastructureexiststosupport

programmedevelopment,syllabusmanagement

and curriculum evolution.

― Pre-existingnationalprogrammeguidelines

andconstructs–thesecreatesilosanddifferent

ecosystemsofapproacheswithinprogrammes-

thisisabarriertotheintegrationofFETservices.

― Externalenvironmentandthepaceofchange

–thecurrentpaceofchangeintheeconomyand

skillsdevelopmentisatanacceleratedpaceandit

isdifficulttokeepupwith.

― StandingofFET–FETisstillnotseenasanequal,

butratheranalternative,complimentarypathway

forpeopleascomparedtoHE.

― Labourmarket-fallingunemploymentisleading

todifficultiesfillingcourses.

4.3DeliveringonFETRelevantPoliciesandStrategies

TheFETsectorinIrelandhasgonethroughvery

significantchangesoverthelastfouryearsinthe

contextofGovernmentreformofthePublicService,

theQualificationsandQualityAssurance(Education

andTraining)Act2012andtheEducationandTraining

BoardsAct2013,thatledtotheestablishmentof

SOLASandtheEducationandTrainingBoards.Against

thisbackground,MSLETBcontinuestoevolveinline

withtheoverarchingSOLASaimtoensurethatFET

programmes,nationally,playavitalroleineconomic

developmentthroughtheprovisionofrelevant,quality-

assurededucationandtrainingprogrammes.MSLETB

willcontinuetoprioritise,andisacutelyawareof,allthe

policyinitiatives(andothers)detailedbelow:

ActionPlanforEducation2016-2019(APE)

ActionPlanforJobs(APJ)

BetterOutcomes,BrighterFutures:TheNational

PolicyFrameworkforChildren&YoungPeople

2014-2020

ComprehensiveEmploymentStrategy(CES)for

PeoplewithDisabilities2015-2024

ConnectingforLife-Ireland’sNationalStrategyto

ReduceSuicide2015-2020

EUCommonBasicPrinciplesonRomaInclusion

containedinWhatWorksforRomaInclusioninthe

EU:PoliciesandModelApproaches

IrishHumanRightsandEqualityCommission

(IHREC)Act2014–GuidanceonThePublicSector

Duty

LiteracyandNumeracyforLearningandLife:

TheNationalStrategytoImproveLiteracyand

NumeracyamongChildrenandYoungPeople

2011-2020

NationalActionPlanforSocialInclusion2007-2016

NationalCarers’Strategy2012

NationalDisabilityInclusionStrategy2017-2021

NationalDrugsStrategy:ReducingHarm,

SupportingRecovery-Ahealth-ledresponseto

drugandalcoholuseinIreland2017-2025

Ireland’sNationalSkillsStrategy2025

NationalStrategyforWomenandGirls2017–

2020:creatingabettersocietyforall

20

NationalStrategyOnChildrenandYoungPeople’s

ParticipationinDecision-Making2015–2020

NationalStrategy:LiteracyandNumeracyfor

LearningandLife2011-2020.InterimReview:2011–

2016.NewTargets:2017–2020

NationalTraveller&RomaInclusionStrategy2017-

2021

NationalYouthStrategy2015-2020

PathwaystoWork2016–2020

ReviewofALCESfundedAdultLiteracyProvision

SOLASCorporatePlan2017-2020

SpeakToday,ShapeTomorrow:2016NationalFET

LearnerForumReport

TheMigrantIntegrationStrategy2017–2020

TheNationalPositiveAgeingStrategy2013

StrategyforTechnology-EnhancedLearningin

FurtherEducationandTraining2016-2019

AFrameworkforImprovedHealthandWellbeing

2013–2025

UpdatedNationalActionPlanforSocialInclusion

2015–2017

IntegratingLiteracyandNumeracyFinalReport

ActionPlantoExpandApprenticeshipsand

Traineeships2016-2020

SupportingWorkingLivesandEnterpriseGrowthin

Ireland

MSLETBisalsocommittedtothewiderprocessof

programmereformacrosstheFETsectorandof

respondingtothefindingsandrecommendations

arisingfromprogrammereviews,evaluationsand

subsequentSOLASresponsesandguidelines.In

particularMSLETBnote:

― EvaluationofPost-LeavingCertificate(PLC)

provisionandSOLASresponse

― Reviewsofandguidelinesissuedontraineeship

provision

― EvaluationofYouthreach/CTCprovision(tobe

publishedin2018)

― EvaluationofVTOS/SSTprovision(tobepublished

in 2019)

― EvaluationofBTEI(tobepublishedin2019)

― EvaluationofSpecialistTrainingprovision(tobe

publishedin2019)

21Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

5. ETB Contribution toNationalFETStrategyandTargets

22

Section 5

ETBContributiontoNational

FETStrategyandTargets

5.1SkillsfortheEconomy

MSLETBFETprovisionwilladdressthecurrentand

futureneedsoflearners,jobseekers,employersand

employeesandwillcontributetonationaleconomic

development.ItissetoutbelowhowtheFETstrategy

objectivesunderthispillarlinktospecificinitiatives

beingprogressedbyMSLETB.

Strategic Objective 1-Installan

appropriateadvisoryinfrastructure

toensurethattherelevantprovision

isinformeddirectlybyemployers

andreflects/respondstoemerging

labourmarketchallenges.

1. EstablishanEmployerEngagementGroup.

2. Establishadatabaseofemployersandemployerengagementin

MSLETB.

3. NetworkandcollaboratethroughoutMSLETBwithemployers,

employergroups,RegionalSkillsFora,educationproviders,state

agenciesandotherstakeholders.

4. Continuouslyreviewprogrammesandtheiroutcomestoensurethey

aremeetingthefutureneedsoflearners,jobseekers,employersand

employees.

5. Carryoutaskillsneedsanalysisandskillsauditusingnational,

regional and local data.

6. Createanorganised,managed,two-waycommunications/

interactivesystembetweenemployersandMSLETB.

Strategic Objective 2–Provide

furthereducationandtraining

programmesforadiverserangeof

individualsandcommunitieswitha

focusonlong-¬‐termunemployed

peopleandunemployedyoung

people.

1. ImplementanMOUbetweenMSLETBandDEASP.

2. Engagefullywithregional,localandcommunitystakeholders

includingLocalCommunityDevelopmentCommittees(LCDC)and

contributetoallrelevantactionplans.

3. MSLETBwillcontinuetoprioritiseandsupportpositiveinterventions

forunemployedyoungpeopleandothermarginalisedgroups.

4. MSLETBwillcontinuetoprovideYouthreachservicesinall

counties;specificfocuswillbetoestablishYouthreachservicesin

Co.Leitrimin2018.

Strategic Objective 3-Developand

implementprogrammesunderthe

newapprenticeshipsystem.

1. MSLETBwillestablishitselfasthecoordinatingproviderofatleast

onenewapprenticeshipin2017.

2. MSLETBwillparticipateasacollaboratingproviderofnew

apprenticeships.

3. Promotenewandexistingapprenticeshipstoallstakeholders.

4. Develop,promoteanddelivernewTraineeships.

Strategic Objective 4–Provide

furthereducationandtraining

programmesforemployees

supportedbyanewFETEmployee

DevelopmentStrategy.

1. EstablishaworkforcedevelopmentplanthroughtheMSLETB

EmployerEngagementGroup.

2. ExpandcurrentemployeeandemployerFETprovision.

3. Pilotatleasttwonewworkforcedevelopmentinitiativesin2017.

4. WorkwithSOLAStosupporttheeffectiveimplementationof

“SupportingWorkingLivesandEnterpriseGrowth”,a2018-2021FET

policyframeworkforskillsdevelopmentofpeopleinemployment

overthisperiod.

Strategic Objective 5–Provide

furthereducationandtraining

programmestoassistpeopletostart

andsustaintheirownbusiness.

1. Includeacomponentonentrepreneurship/intrapreneurshiponall

relevantFETprogrammes.

2. DevelopanEUprojectproposalforinternationalcollaborationon

developingsustainableruraleconomies.

23Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

5.2ActiveInclusion

Asnotedinsection4.1.5,throughactiveinclusion,

MSLETB’sFETserviceswillendeavourtosupportall

peopletoaccessFETservicesthatenablethemto

reachtheirpotentialandenablethemtocontribute

tosociety.Specialfocusunderthisgoalisgivento

targetingpeoplewhoaremostmarginalisedwithin

society.KeyactionsagainstFETstrategicobjectivesare

setoutbelow.

Strategic Objective 1-Support

ActiveInclusionacrossFET.

1. Constantlyreviewandmonitorprogrammedeliveryandprovisionto

ensurethatallcitizensbenefitequallyandinequalityisnotperpetuated.

2. MSLETBwillendeavourtomeetalllearners’needs.

3. MSLETBiscommittedto:ensuringthatpersonswithdisabilitiesbenefit

fromrelevanttrainingandeducationthatenabletheirprogressionto

employmentopportunities;ensuringprovisionofvocationaleducation

forpeoplewithdisabilitiesand;andencouragingparticipationbypersons

withdisabilitiesineducationprogrammes.

Strategic Objective 2–Devise

andimplementastrategyto

promoteliteracyandnumeracy

acrossFET.

1. ImplementanMOUbetweenMSLETBandDEASP.

2. Engagefullywithregional,localandcommunitystakeholdersincluding

LocalCommunityDevelopmentCommittees(LCDC)andcontributetoall

relevantactionplans.

3. MSLETBwillcontinuetoprioritiseandsupportpositiveinterventionsfor

unemployedyoungpeopleandothermarginalisedgroups.

4. MSLETBwillcontinuetoprovideYouthreachservicesinallcounties;

specificfocuswillbetoestablishYouthreachservicesinCo.Leitrimin

2018.

5.3QualityProvision

MSLETBFETwillprovidehighqualityeducationand

trainingprogrammesandwillmeettheappropriate

nationalandinternationalqualitystandards.Keyactions

tosupporttheobjectiveswithintheFETstrategy

aroundqualityprovisionaresetoutbelow.

Strategic Objective 1 -Respond

totheneedsoflearners,

employersandcommunities.

1. MSLETBwillcontinuetoreviewandprovideprogrammesthatare

current,relevantandfitforpurpose.

2. MSLETBprogrammeswillenablelearnersprogresstoemploymentora

higher-levelqualificationinFETorHET.

3. MSLETBwillensurethatallservicesprovidedtoourlearnerswith

transformativeopportunitiesforlifeandliving.

4. Thehealth,safetyandwelfareofallpeopleinteractingwithMSLETB

serviceswillremainofparamountconcernandcentraltoall

managementdecisionmaking.

5. Provideforasystematicapproachaccommodatingworkexperienceand

WorkBasedLearning(WBL)opportunitiesforlearnersandemployers.

Strategic Objective 2–Ensure

excellenceinFETprogramme

development.

1. EstablishanMSLETBFETQualityAssuranceUnitwhichwillensure

excellenceinFETprogrammedevelopment,deliveryandstandards.

2. DevelopandimplementaqualitysystemforMSLETBFETprovisionover

thedurationofthisstrategystatement.

3. Ensurethatcontinuousimprovement,innovation,flexibilityand

responsivenesstosocial,economicandemploymentconditionsare

centraltoprogrammedevelopment.

Strategic Objective 3 -Enhance

adult educational guidance

serviceswithinFETandextend

ittoallwhoengagewithFET,

includingemployees.

1. Continuetointegrateadultguidanceandinformationandrecruitment

servicesinMSLETB.

24

Strategic Objective 4–Develop

standardsforstaffqualifications

intheFETsector.

1. EstablishaCPDFETprojectteamin2017,inlinewiththenationalFET

CPDStrategy.

2. ImplementaCPDworkplan.

3. ReviewcurrentCPDpolicyandproceduresonanannualbasis.

Strategic Objective 5–Provide

effectivepathwaysforFET

graduatestoLevels7and8within

thehighereducationsector.

1. EstablishandagreeMOUsbetweenGMIT,ITSligoandNUIG.

2. Reviewprogrammesandoutcomestoensurethattheyarerelevantand

fitforpurpose.

Strategic Objective 6 -Provide

suitableandappropriatefacilities

forfurthereducationandtraining.

1. Provideeducationandtrainingfacilitiesthatarefitforpurpose.

2. Continuouslyimproveandupdatefacilitiesincludingclassrooms,

workshops,equipment,ICTinfrastructureandalllearningandtraining

areastoachieveahighlevelofinfrastructuralandtechnological

modernity.

3. Incorporatesustainability/renewableenergyinitiativesinallfuture

buildingprojects.

Strategic Objective 7–Ensure

thatallMSLETBstaffdelivering

furthereducationandtraining

programmeshavecurrentand

relevantqualificationsandskills.

1. EstablishaworkforcedevelopmentplanthroughtheMSLETBEmployer

EngagementGroup.

2. ExpandcurrentemployeeandemployerFETprovision.

3. Pilotatleasttwonewworkforcedevelopmentinitiativesin2017.

4. WorkwithSOLAStosupporttheeffectiveimplementationof“Supporting

WorkingLivesandEnterpriseGrowth”,a2018-2021FETpolicyframework

forskillsdevelopmentofpeopleinemploymentoverthisperiod.

Strategic Objective 8–Ensure

thatallMSLETBFETprovision

anddeliverycomplieswiththe

higheststandardsofcorporate

governanceandcompliance.

1. ImplementanddeveloppoliciesandproceduresasissuedbyMSLETB.

2. Supportandempowerstaffandstakeholderstoalwaysmakecorrectand

ethicaldecisions.

3. Co-operatewithallrelevantexternalbodiesandstakeholderstoensure

valueformoneyandgoodcorporategovernanceandcompliance.

5.4Outcomes-basedPlanningandFunding

MSLETBFETprovisionwillbeplannedandfunded

basedonobjectiveanalysisofneedsandevidenceof

socialandeconomicimpact.Keyactionsinsupportof

theFETstrategyobjectivesaroundoutcomes-based

planningandfundinginclude.

Strategic Objective 1 -Implement

anewintegratedandco-

ordinatedFETplanningmodel.

1. In2017,MSLETBimproveditsplanningandbudgetingsystemsforFET.

2. MSLETBwillcontinuetoreviewprogrammestoensurethattheyare

relevant,flexibleandcosteffective.

3. Promoteanintelligence-led‘BestPractice’continuousimprovement

FETenvironmenttoenhancetherelevancyofMSLETB’strainingand

educationprovision.

4. MSLETBwillcollaboratewithallstakeholderstoinformandcontinuously

improveplanningforFET.

Strategic Objective 2–Ensure

excellenceinFETprogramme

development.

1. EstablishanMSLETBFETQualityAssuranceUnitwhichwillensure

excellenceinFETprogrammedevelopment,deliveryandstandards.

2. DevelopandimplementaqualitysystemforMSLETBFETprovisionover

thedurationofthisstrategystatement.

3. Ensurethatcontinuousimprovement,innovation,flexibilityand

responsivenesstosocial,economicandemploymentconditionsare

centraltoprogrammedevelopment.

Strategic Objective 3-Introduce

performance-relatedfunding

(appropriatetothetypeofFET

provisionanddefinedstrategic

outcomes).

1. MSLETBwillreviewFARRsubmissionandstrategicplan,asperthe

SOLASFETFundingandParameters,toensureeffectiveimplementation

andcorrectiveactionasnecessary.

2. MSLETBwillestablishanFETinnovationfundtoincreasetheincidences

ofinnovationinitiatives.

25Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Strategic Objective 4 –Evaluate

theeffectivenessofallcurrent

FETprovision.

MSLETBwillcontinuetoreviewprogrammestoensuretheyarerelevant,

flexibleandcosteffective.

Carryoutskillsneedsanalysisandskillsauditsusingnational,regionaland

localdatatofacilitateeffectiveintegratedFETplanning.

Implementtherecommendationsofnationalprogrammeevaluations

coordinatedbySOLAS.

5.5StandingofFET

MSLETBwillensureavaluedlearningpathleading

toagreedemployment,careeranddevelopmental,

personalandsocialoptions.Keyactionstosupport

FETstrategygoalsaroundthestandingofFETareset

outbelow.

Strategic Objective 1-Promote

andprovidehighqualityFET

responsetotheneedsofindustry

andlearners.

1. In2017,MSLETBestablishedandsupportedaMarketingandPromotions

Group.

2. In2017,MSLETBestablishedanEmployerEngagementGroup.

3. MSLETBwilldevelopaneffective,managedtwo-waycommunications/

interactivesystembetweenemployersandMSLETB.

4. MSLETBwilluseeveryopportunitytocreateandshareasingle

consistentmessageforthevaluepropositionofMSLETBFETservices.

5. MSLETBwillworkwithSOLAStomaximisethevalueandimpactofa

nationalcampaigntopromotefurthereducationandtrainingin2018and

2019.

Strategic Objective 2–Conduct

aneconomicandsocialimpact

studyofMSLETBFETprovision.

1. Overthedurationofthestrategicplan,MSLETBwillconductmarket

researchoftheperceivedimpact,reachandawarenessofMSLETB

servicesintheregion.

2. In2017,MSLETBwillassistSOLASinconductinganeconomicandsocial

impactstudy.

5.6ETBContributiontoNationalFETTargets

MSLETBcommitstomakingthespecificcontribution

toeachofthesixcorenationalFETtargetsoverthe

period2018-2020setoutbelow.Asummaryshowing

howthecontributiontoeachtargetisdrivenbyactivity

withindifferentskillsclustersisprovidedasAppendix

A.Thedefinitionunderpinningeachtargetisdetailedin

AppendixB.

TargetNationalSectoral

Target

Mayo,SligoandLeitrim

ETBContribution

1. Morelearnerssecuringemploymentfromprovision

whichprimarilyservesthelabourmarket10%over3years

41%over3years,equating

to608learnerssecuring

employmentin2020

2. Morelearnersprogressingtootherfurtherorhigher

educationcoursesfromprovisionwhichisprimarily

focusedonthispurpose

10%over3years

14%over3years,

equatingto2,471learners

progressingtoother

coursesin2020

3. Increaseintherateofcertificationoncourses

primarilyfocusedontransversal(socialmobility)

skillsdevelopment

10%over3years

66%over3years,equating

to481completerscertified

in 2020

26

TargetNationalSectoral

Target

Mayo,SligoandLeitrim

ETBContribution

4. IncreaseinadultsseekingFETlevelprovision

engaginginlifelonglearninginterventions10%over3years

10%over3years,equating

to13,008startingLLL

relevantprogrammesin

2020

5. Increaseinlearnerssecuringrelevantqualifications

insectorswhereemploymentgrowth/skillsneeds

havebeenidentified

10,000learners

perannum

Averageannualincrease

of608anda48%increase

inlearnersin2020

comparedwith2017

6. Newapprenticeshipandtraineeregistrationsinthe

period2018to2020

13,900 over 3

years

561over3yearsor55%

growth

To deliver on target 1,newprogrammeswill

beintroducedtoincludethenew-generation

apprenticeships–Sales,Chef,Butchery,ICT,etc;new

traineeshipsinaccountancy,hairdressing,childcareand

media;andnewfull-timeandpart-timeprogrammes

inmanufacturing,construction,farmmanagement,

cleanroomoperations,etc.Therewillalsobeincreased

provisioninlabourmarketdemandareasinexisting

apprenticeships/traineeships,includingcallcentre,

engineering,welding,transport,tourismmanagement,

driving,retail,etc.MSLETBnotethattheachievement

ofthistargetisdependentontheimplementationof

rigorouslearningpathwaysupportsandprocessesfor

transitioninglearnersintoemployment.

To deliver on target 2,newofferingswillbeintroduced

toincludeLeitrimYouthreach,LeitrimCTC,Transition

fromYouthreachandPre-apprenticeships.Planned

increasesincourseprovisionincludefortourism,

agri-food,ITandgenerallearning.Theapplication

oflinkedworkexperiencetoYouthreachwillbe

exploredinconjunctionwiththenewYESSscheme,

andYouthreachclassesareplannedinPLCsettings.

MSLETBnotetheachievementofthistargetis

dependentontheimplementationofrigorouslearning

pathwaysupportsandprocessesfortransitioning

learnersintoFET(orHE).Additionalsupportsfor

learnersinYouthreachwillalsoberequired.

To deliver on target 3,MSLETBwillprovidemore

certifiedprogrammesandadditionalmodulesto

learnersonprogrammes.

To deliver on target 4,self-financingnightclasses

aretobescheduledandreportedonthePLSS.Itwas

suggestedthatduetolearnerspayingforcoursesit

maybemoredifficulttogatherthedatainthelearner

detailsform.TheunemploymentblackspotsinCounty

Mayowereidentifiedasaspecificareathatneeds

targetedprogrammes.Expansionwillalsobeachieved

byprovidingwork-basedprogrammesviaSFW,

Traineeship,and/orusingtheeveningtraininginthe

modelviathetrainingcentre.Theachievementofthis

targetisdependentonprovidingmoreopportunitiesfor

learnerstoengageinlabourmarket/ortransversalskills

relevantmodulestoupskill/reskill.

Thedeliveryoftarget 5islinkedtoTarget1andthe

expansionandimprovementofcertificationoutcomes

oflabourmarketprogrammesinTraineeship,

Apprenticeship,PLC,VTOS,LTI,SST,BTEIandevening

training.Thistargetwillbeincreasedbyembedding

self-financingprovisionintoFARR/PLSSsystems.

MSLETBnotesthattheachievementofthistargetis

dependentonprovidingmoreopportunitiesforlearners

toengageinlabourmarketprogrammesormodules,

onimprovingthecertificationrateoflearnerson

programmes.

To deliver on target 6, MSLETBisexpanding

traineeshipsinengineering,business,accountancyetc.

Thedeliveryofalltargetswillalsobedependenton

ensuringallactivityisfullyrecordedonFARRandPLSS

database.

27Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

6. PerformanceAgreement

28

Section 6

Performance Agreement

Inenteringthisagreement,Mayo,SligoandLeitrim

EducationandTrainingBoardcommitstopursuingthe

prioritiesandactionssetoutintheprevioussections

andmakingthestipulatedcontributiontoeachofthe

sixcoreFETtargetsovertheperiod2018to2020,

subjecttotherisksandchallengesidentifiedandset

outinSection4.2oftheagreement.MSLETBalso

commitstoadherencetolegislativerequirements,the

OverarchingPlanningandFundingRequirementsfor

FETandSOLASfundingTermsandConditions.

SOLAScommitstosupportingthedeliveryofthese

priorities,actionsandtargetswhereverpracticalsubject

toandwithinitsexistingresourceconstraintsand

competingcommitments.Therealisationofthetargets

willbemonitoredonanongoingbasisviathePLSSand

FARRsystems,anditisproposedthataformalmid-

termreviewwillbeundertakeninSeptember2019,

includingafurtherstrategicdialoguesessionbetween

thetwopartiesatthispoint.

Paul O’Toole

Chief Executive, SOLAS

Date: 02/10/18

Tom Grady

Chief Executive (Acting), Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Date: 02/10/18

Signed:

29Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

AppendixA

30

Appendix A

MSLETBContributiontoNationalFET

SectorTargetsbySkillsCluster

FurtherEducation&TrainingProvision

Target1 Target2 Target3

2018-2020 2018-2020 2018-2020

SectorProvision10%

MoreLearnerswill

secureemploymentfrom

provisionwhichprimarily

servesthelabourmarket.

SectorProvision10%more

learnerswillprogressto

otherfurtherorhigher

educationcoursesfrom

provisionwhichisprimarily

focusedonthispurpose.

SectorProvision10%increase

intherateofcertificationon

coursesprimarilyfocusedon

transversal(socialmobility)

skillsDevelopment.

ExpectedoverallIncrease

inCompletersSecuring

Employment

Expectedoverallincreasein

CompletersProgressingto

FETorHET

Expectedoverallincreasein

Completerscertified

SkillClusters Number % Number % Number %

Agriculture,HorticultureandMariculture 2 8% 0 0%

AnimalScience -2 -13% 5 0%

ArtsandCrafts -20 -61% 0 0%

BuiltEnvironment 27 540% 0 0%

BusinessAdministration 13 19% 8 7%

Engineering -5 -63% 0 0%

Engineering(Electrical) 30 0% 0 0%

Engineering(IT) 3 0% 0 0%

Engineering(Mechanical) 12 120% 0 0%

Engineering(Transport) 3 0% 0 0%

Entrepreneurship 4 0% 0 0%

FinancialServices 9 225% 0 0%

FoodandBeverage 20 400% -8%

Hairdressing,BeautyandComplementary

Therapies-25 -33% 0 0%

Health,FamilyotherSocialServices 6 5% 43 4%

InformationTechnology 21 525% 20 0%

Management 1 13% 0 0%

Manufacturing 10 0% 0 0%

Media,GraphicsCommunications 10 0% 8 114%

NaturalResources 0 0% 0 0%

ResearchandEducation-Training -18 -78% 0 0%

Sales&Marketing 19 1900% 30 0%

ScienceandTechnology 6 150% 0 0%

Security,Guarding&EmergencyServices 3 60% 0 0%

SportandLeisure 4 67% 5 0%

Tourism 11 1100% 12 0%

Transport,Distribution&Logistics 25 500% 0 0%

WebDevelopment&Design 7 140% 0 0%

CoreICT -216 -66% 48 129%

CorePersonal 290 49% 1386 63%

GeneralLearning 94 162% 9 0%

Language 0 0% 0 0%

SkillsSampling, 0 0% 0 0%

KeySkills 0 0% 0 0%

TOTAL 176 41% 298 14% 1443 66%

[1]Thistargetcouldbesubjecttoupwardrevisionfollowingthebenchmarkingprocess.

31Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Target4 Target5 Target6

2018-2020 2018-2020 2018-2020

SectorProvision10%increaseof

adults,whoareseekingFETlevel

provision,engaginginlifelonglearning

interventions[1]

SectorProvision

IncreaseinRelevantQualificationsacross

FETprogrammes.

Increaseof10,000learnersperannum

securingrelevantqualificationsinsectors

whereemploymentgrowth/skillsneeds

havebeenidentified.

TraineeshipProgrammes.

TraineeshipNationalTargetof19,000(2016-

2020)-13,900-(2018-2020)Commencmentson

Traineeship

(SkillClustersByStarters)

LabourMarketSkills

Expectedoverallcontributiontothe

NationalTargetforincreaseinStarters

andETBcapacity%

Expectedoverallannualaverage

contributiontoNationalTargetfor

CompletersCertified&ETBCapacity%

ExpectedoverallcontributiontoNationalTarget

andETBcapaciy%

Number % Number % Number %

50 71% 0 0%

53 353% 0 0%

20 28% 0 0%

56 46% 60 479% 0 0%

-27 -4% 36 0%

-49 -33% 18 264% 0 0%

0 0% 31 775% 0 0%

12 0% 5 122% 0 0%

40 0% 36 200% 0 0%

0 0% 10 0% 0 0%

72 900% 67 0% 0 0%

47 64% 48 0%

66 49% 74 426% 93 55%

-41 -41% 72 0%

-126 -6% 25 4% 170 -28%

106 757% 65 250% 42 0%

39 186% 0 0%

44 122% 33 0% 24 0%

48 0% 40 285% 0 0%

20 0% 0 0%

0 0% 0 0%

17 44% 51 1500% 0 0%

50 0% 10 111% 0 0%

-37 -52% 0 0%

52 76% 28 127% 44 27%

42 74% 34 159% 32 0%

62 53% 0 0%

8 24% 22 117% 0 0%

-103 -12%

-163 -5%

780 23%

0 0%

0 0%

0 0%

1138 10% 608 48% 561 55%

32

AppendixB

33Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Appendix B

ExplainingtheTargets

InagreeingtheSOLASCorporatePlan2017-19,the

DepartmentforEducationandSkillsspecifiedarange

oftargetstobemetbythefurthereducationand

trainingsectoroverathree-yearperiod:

― Target1–EmploymentOutcomes:10%more

learnerswillsecureemploymentfromprovision

whichprimarilyservesthelabourmarket.

― Target2–Progression:10%morelearnerswill

progresstootherfurtherorhighereducation

coursesfromprovisionwhichisprimarilyfocused

onthispurpose.

― Target3–TransversalSkillsDevelopment:10%

increaseintherateofcertificationoncourses

primarilyfocusedontransversal(socialmobility)

skillsdevelopment.

― Target4–LifelongLearning:10%increaseof

adults,whoareseekingFETlevelprovision,

engaginginlifelonglearninginterventions(this

targetcouldbesubjecttoupwardrevision

followingthebenchmarkingprocess.

― Target5–RelevantQualifications: From

2018,forthreeyears,anaverageincreaseof

10,000learnersperannumsecuringrelevant

qualifications(e.g.specialpurposeawards)in

sectorswhereemploymentgrowth/skillsneeds

havebeenidentified(e.g.Construction,ICT,Food

andBeverages,Hospitality,Wholesale/Retail,

Biopharma/Pharmachem,Health/OtherCare,

DigitalMedia,SportandFitness,Engineering,

EnterpriseSkillsneeds).

― Target6–ApprenticeshipandTraineeship

Provision:30,500newapprenticeandtrainee

registrationsintheperiod2017to2019whichwill

representanincreaseinregistrationsfromcirca

6,000 in 2016 to circa 12,400 in 2019.

Also,in2017,theDepartmentofPublicExpenditure&

Reform(D-PER)conductedaspendingreviewoffurther

educationandtraining.Akeyaspectofthisreview

involvedanalysisofprogrammesdeliveredbythe

ETBsbycategorizingeachprogrammeasoneofthe

following:-

― PredominatelyLabourMarketFocusFET

Programmes

― PredominatelyProgressionFocusFETProgrammes

― PredominatelySocialMobility(Individual

Transversalskills)FETProgrammes

Thesettingofthesethree-yearnationalsectoral

targetsandbroadcategorisationoftargetsprovideda

frameworkbywhichstrategicperformanceagreements

betweenSOLASandETBscouldbedeveloped,

highlightingtheplannedcontributionofeachETB

totheirrealisation.However,toensurethatthis

contributioncouldbeclearlyunderstoodandlinkedto

developmentofactivityacrossFETprogrammes,some

definitionsandparameterswereplacedaroundeach

target,andthesearediscussedforeachinturnbelow.

Target1:EmploymentOutcomes

Thistargettakesabroadstrategicapproachby

consideringFETprovisionintermsoftheprogrammes

thatareprimarilyfocusedonleadingtoemployment.

TheD-PERspendingreviewidentifiedprogrammes

whichhadapredominantlylabourmarketfocusandto

ensureconsistencywiththisreview,themeasuringof

employmentoutcomesunderTarget1wasrelatedonly

toprogrammeswithinthiscategory:

Full-Time Apprenticeship

Training

Blended Training

Local Training

Initiatives

PLC

SpecificSkills

Training

Traineeships

Training

VTOS VSCCSPLC

Part-time Evening Training On-lineLearning

(eCollege)

Thetargetitselfiscalculatedbylookingattheactual

completersfromtheseprogrammesin2017logged

onPLSSorviaFARRwhowererecordingasachieving

anemploymentoutcome,andthenaskingeachETB

tosetoutaplanforthenumberscompletingwhoit

expectstoachieveanemploymentoutcomein2018,

2019and2020,calculatingtheexpectedchangefrom

this2017baseline.Currentlythereforethecontribution

isself-declaredbytheETB,basedonitsunderstanding

ofalearneroutcomeandwiththeassumption

thatallemploymentoutcomeshavebeenlogged

comprehensivelywithinthesystem.Itishowever

acknowledgedthatworktointegrateFARRandPLSS

andtoensurecomprehensiveandqualitylearnerdata

inputintoPLSSisstillprogressing,anditislikelythat

thebaselineforeachETBin2017maybehigherthan

initiallyestimated.

SOLASandtheETBsintendtomovetoamorerobust

methodofsettingthebaselinebyusingaccessto

revenueandjobseeker’sdatabasesheldbytheCSO

toestablishindependentlytheemploymentoutcomes

oflearnersontheseprogrammesin2017.Thisshould

notchangetheambitionfornumberofcompleters

securingemploymentoutcomesin2018,2019and

34

2020butcouldrevisethebaselinewhichwillmean

theoverallETBcontributiontomeetingthetarget

(i.e.thepercentagechangeincompleterssecuring

employmentoutcomes)overthethree-yearperiod

couldbeupdated.

Target2:Progression

Thistargettakesabroadstrategicapproachby

consideringFETProvisionintermsoftheprogrammes

thatareprimarilyfocusedonfacilitatingprogression

tootherfurthereducationandtrainingandhigher

educationcourses.TheD-PERspendingreview

identifiedprogrammeswhichhadapredominantly

progressionfocusandtoensureconsistencywiththis

review,themeasuringofprogressionoutcomesunder

Target2wasrelatedonlytoprogrammeswithinthis

category.

Full-Time Justice

Workshops

Youthreach

Bridging&

Foundation

Training

Community

TrainingCentres

SpecialistTraining

Programmes

Part-time BTEIGroups SkillsforWork

VSCCSBTEI

Thetargetitselfiscalculatedbylookingattheactual

completersfromtheseprogrammesin2017logged

onPLSSorviaFARRwhowererecordedashaving

progressedtootherfurtherandhighereducation

courses,andthenaskingeachETBtosetoutaplan

forthenumberscompletingwhoitexpectstoachieve

suchaprogressionoutcomein2018,2019and2020,

calculatingtheexpectedchangefromthis2017

baseline.AswithTarget1,currentlythecontributionis

self-declaredbytheETB,basedonitsunderstanding

ofalearneroutcomeandwiththeassumption

thatallprogressionoutcomeshavebeenlogged

comprehensivelywithinthesystem.Itishowever

acknowledgedthatworktointegrateFARRandPLSS

andtoensurecomprehensiveandqualitylearnerdata

inputintoPLSSisstillprogressing,anditislikelythat

thebaselineforeachETBin2017maybehigherthan

initiallyestimated.

Aswithtarget1,thebaselinemayberevisedonce

learneroutcomedatafromaccesstoCSOdatabases

(whichalsoincludeshighereducationlearnerdata)

isavailable.Thisshouldnotchangetheambitionfor

numberofcompleterssecuringprogressionoutcomes

in2018,2019and2020butcouldmeantheoverallETB

contributiontomeetingthetarget(i.e.thepercentage

changeincompleterssecuringprogressionoutcomes)

overthethree-yearperiodcouldbeupdated.

ItisalsoacknowledgedthatPLCprovisionhasan

importantroleinfacilitatingprogression,particularly

tohighereducation,yetthecategorisationapproach

toensureconsistencywiththespendingreview

withinthetargets,whereaprogrammecanonly

beeitherpredominantlylabourmarketfocusedOR

predominantlyprogressionfocused,meantthatitwas

onlyincludedintheformerwhensettingproposedETB

contributionsintheformaltargettemplate.However,

eachETBhasbeenaskedtoarticulatethecurrent

levelofprogressionfromPLCprovisionandstateany

ambitionforchangeintheprogressionrateoverthe

lifetimeoftheagreement.Giventhefocusonthisarea

andwidernationalworkofFETtoHEtransitions,itis

expectedthatthecurrentrateofprogressiontoHEfrom

PLCacrossallETBSwillbeatleastmaintainedbetween

2018 and 2020.

Target3:TransversalSkillsDevelopment

Thistargettakesthesamestrategicapproachas

Targets1and2byconsideringFETProvisionwherethe

aimisprimarilyfocusedonprogrammeswhichbuild

transversalskills.TheD-PERspendingreviewidentified

programmeswhichhadaprimaryfocusontransversal

skillsdevelopmentandtoensureconsistencywith

thisreview,themeasuringincreasesintherate

ofcertificationunderTarget3wasrelatedonlyto

programmeswithinthiscategory.

Full-Time IrishDeafSocietyprovision

Part-time Adult Literacy ESOL

FETCo-

operationHours

ITABE

LibrariesTraining Refugee

Resettlement

Voluntary

Literacy Tuition

NALAWriteon

(p/tonline)

Thetargetitselfiscalculatedbylookingattheactual

completersfromtheseprogrammesin2017logged

onPLSSorviaFARRwhowererecordedashaving

achievedcertification,andthenaskingeachETBtoset

outaplanforthenumberscompletingwhoitexpects

toachievesuchacertificationoutcomein2018,2019

and2020,calculatingtheexpectedchangefrom

this2017baseline.IncontrastwithTarget1and2,the

datashouldfor2017shouldberobustasitrelatesto

certificationratherthanperceivedoutcomes.

35Strategic Performance Agreement 2018 – 2020

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board

Target4:LifelongLearning

ThelifelonglearningactivitymeasuredunderTarget4

usedtheEUdefinitionoflifelonglearningwhichrelates

topeopleover25years.Ascomprehensivedatafor

allFETlearnersagedover25isnotavailablein2017

(asthePLSSwasrolledoutduringtheyear),thetarget

focusesonactivity(measuredbynumbersstarting

courses)withinprogrammesthatpredominantly

addresstheneedsoflearnersover25.Thisbasecanbe

reviewedattheendof2018whenthereisafulldataset

availablethroughPLSS,andwhereitshouldbepossible

toisolatethecohortoflearnersagedover25acrossall

FET.Inthemeantime,thebaselineandplanshavebeen

builtupthosestartingorexpectedtostartcoursesin

thefollowingprogrammesovertheperiod2018-2020.

Blended Training SpecificSkillsTraining

TraineeshipsTraining TraineeshipEmployed

VTOS Evening Training

On-lineLearning

(eCollege)(p/t)

Bridging&Foundation

Training

SpecialistTraining

Programmes

BTEIGroups

IrishDeafSociety NALAWriteon(p/tonline)

SkillsforWork Adult Literacy

Voluntary Literacy LTI

ITABE RefugeeResettlement

CommunityEducation

Derivingthetargetinthiswaymeansthatitdoesnot

fullycomparetowidernationallifelonglearningtargets,

ortonewtargetsforemployeedevelopmentand

workforceupskilling,butitdoesnonethelessprovidean

insightandambitiontogrowlifelongprovisionacross

FETinawaythatcanberobustlytrackedoverthe

courseoftheperformanceagreement.

ItisalsoimportanttonotethatFARRandPLSSdoes

notcurrentlyrecordtheself-financedeveningcourse

provisionwhichtakesplaceinFETfacilities,most

commonlyinPLCfurthereducationcolleges.SOLAS

hasaskedETBstoestimatetheextentofthiscohortif

possiblewithintheagreements.

Target5:RelevantQualifications

ThistargetattemptstoincreasethefocusofFET

provisiononkeyskillsareaswithanambitiontogrow

qualificationsintheseareasbyanaverageincreaseof

10,000learnersperannum.Relevantqualificationscan

includespecialpurposeawardsandaremeasuredin

thefollowingskillsclustersaspartofthistarget.

Built Environment

(Construction)

Engineering

Engineering (Electrical) Engineering(IT)

Engineering(Mechanical) Engineering(Transport)

Entrepreneurship/

EnterpriseSkills

FoodandBeverage-

Hospitality

Health,Familyother

SocialServices

InformationTechnology-

ICT

Manufacturing Media,Graphics

Communications-Digital

Media

Sales&Marketing-

Wholesale/Retail

ScienceandTechnology-

Biopharma/Pharmachem

SportandLeisure-

SportsandFitness

Tourism-Hospitality

WebDevelopment&

Design

Thenumberofcertificatesawardedin2017setsthe

baselineforthistargetandETBsarethenaskedto

projectthenumberofcertificateswithintheseskills

clustersthattheyexpecttoawardin2018,2019and

2020.

Target6:ApprenticeshipsandTraineeships

DrawnfromtheActionPlantoExpandApprenticeships

andTraineeships2016-2020,thissetsanationaltarget

of30,500newapprenticeandtraineeregistrations

intheperiod2018to2020.Pre-2016apprenticeships

arecoordinatedcentrallybySOLASwhilenew

apprenticeshipsareinadevelopmentstageandmore

difficulttoplanintermsofspecificcourseroll-out.

Intheperformanceagreementstherefore,wehave

askedETBstofocusonthree-yearplansforexpanding

traineeshipprovision,askingthemtoprojectnumbers

startingtraineeshipsin2018,2019and2020.TheAction

Plandefinesatargetovertheperiod2018-2020of

13,900newregistrations.

SOLAS

AntSeirbhísOideachaisLeanúnaighagusScileanna

FurtherEducationandTrainingAuthority

CastleforbesHouse,CastleforbesRoad,DublinD01A8N0

+353(0)15332500 / www.solas.ie / info@solas.ie

Mayo,SligoandLeitrimEducationandTrainingBoard

Newtown,Castlebar,Co.MayoF23DV78

+353(0)949024188 / www.msletb.ie.ie / infomayo@msletb.ie