Laois Offaly Education and Training Board playing central role in skills drive

THE Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) has grown to become a key component of the national effort to address Ireland's skills deficit.

Everyone is familiar with the difficulty in sourcing basic tradespeople like electricians and plumbers, not to mention other critical roles in sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality, healthcare and the tech, med tech and pharma industries.

Thanks to facilities like the Midlands Skills Centre in Tullamore, the enterprise hub, a web of Further Education Centres in towns across both counties, the LOETB is now involved in training a significant percentage of the entire country's workforce.

Jolene Hall is responsible for training and skills and is all to aware that in an era of near full employment, it's retraining which is crucial.

The Midlands Skills Centre was opened at the Axis Business Park in Tullamore a couple of years ago.

“We've been working really hard in upskilling and reskilling employees across the two counties in Laois and Offaly and what we wanted was space that we could dedicate to that,” said Jolene.

Scores of electrical apprentices are currently undertaking their phase 2 training (electricians must complete seven phases in all, some on the job and others in training settings) in Tullamore; so many in fact, that the LOETB had to expand its provision to a newly developed space in the old jail building at Kilcruttin in Tullamore.

All the key priority areas for training as mentioned above are catered for in centres throughout Offaly and Laois and perhaps the jewel in the crown is the National Construction Training Campus in Mount Lucas.

“When we're developing courses we're bringing in employers and industry and making sure the training we're providing is relevant to the needs of the actual industry because if it's not you're not going to get the uptake,” added Jolene.

A huge advantage for companies and trainees alike is the funding model. Courses are fully funded up to level five and 70% funded at level six.

“It takes some of the burden away from employers if they're hoping to upskill their employees.”

There is a plumbing training hub in Mountrath, again addressing a real skills gap, plus a clean room in Tullamore and culinary arts training in partnership with hotels such as the Midlands Park and Killeshin in Portlaoise and the Court Hotel, Tullamore and County Arms, Birr.

Farmers, especially those who are part-time, can also use the Tullamore base for training, whether it's for an animal husbandry skill like hoof repair or a craft skill such as welding, given that so many farmers are responsible for their own on-farm maintenance. Sustainable agriculture was singled out as one area of need.

A promotional exercise at last year's Tullamore Show resulted in 200 registrations. Currently, training in scanning using ultrasound is taking place.

Given the vast range of courses available, LOETB information hubs have been established at Castle Buildings in Tullamore (off High Street and the Bridge Centre) and Lyster Square, Portlaoise.

All LOETB buildings have been branded in distinctive green and white colours to greater aid awareness.

The LOETB, which runs nine second level schools in Offaly and Laois, is also concentrating on post Leaving Certificate (PLC) learning.

There is growing recognition of the value of taking the PLC route instead of moving straight to college through the CAO or taking up an apprenticeship.

The LOETB argues that a PLC is a great way to explore a particular subject area with a view to potentially undertaking training.

Courses are run in science, IT, software, computer science, nursing and much more, often offering a pathway to further education and training.