Clare Workplace Basic Education

Frequently Asked Questions

• Did you know? 
• What is being done about this?
• What are the benefits for the Employee?
• How do I know if my Employees have basic skills difficulties?
• What kinds of programmes are run?
• What about exams and accreditation?
• Target group?
• As an employer/employee what do I do next?

Did you know? 

1 in every 5 of the working population in Ireland has basic skills difficulties. (IALS)

€9.8M/yr is the cost to business of low basic skills in the UK (Gallup)

What is being done about this?

• Several national initiatives have been set up to provide tailored training opportunities to help employees deal with the basic skills demands of the workplace. 
The initiatives are funded  by the Government under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The funds provides a 100% training subsidy to enable employees to cope with the ongoing changes in work practices required in today’s economy. 
  
• What are the benefits for my organisation? 
  
• Employee retention 
  
• Increased accuracy, quality and output, less wastage
  
• Increased profitability
  
• Better health and safety record
  
• Greater understanding of production/quality control systems 
  
• Improved participation in training, more effective results 
  
• Increased openness to change
  
• Greater company engagement and loyalty 
  
• Enhanced team work

What are the benefits for the Employee?

• Increased self-confidence
  
• A re-awakening of an interest in learning
  
• Skill development
  
• Unlocks potential

How do I know if my Employees have basic skills difficulties?

Typically you may notice:

• Colleagues who have difficulty understanding work instructions, policies or procedures 
  
• Colleagues taking a day off when training is scheduled
  
• Error due to procedures not being followed correctly
  
• High levels of absenteeism
  
• Unexpected wastage/rework
  
• Colleagues who are dependent on others, particularly for form-filling, dealing with changes to work practice
  
• Poor records of compliance with H&S requirements- e.g. employees who shy away from filling in accident report forms
  
• Colleagues who are not confident to take up promotional opportunities
  

What kinds of programmes are run?

• Customised basic skills training e.g.: communications, communications through ICT, health and safety, teamwork, basic IT, workplace calculations, problem solving, customer care, ISO; all use company materials in class eg company accident report forms 
  
• Training is usually up to 45 hrs over 15 weeks per module, but is programme/organization/participant specific 
  
• Flexible on-site (or at a mutually convenient external location; cost covered in funding) delivery at times that are convenient to work schedules 
  
• Training providers have expertise and experience in workplace basic education provision and are registered on the FÁS/EI NRT
  

What about exams and accreditation?

• Training is portfolio based so there are no exams. 
  
• FETAC Level 3 module accreditation e.g. Communication module accreditation, (equivalent to the Junior Certificate level of education).  

Target group?

• Employees with junior cert education or equivalent
  
• Employees who have a leaving cert education but have been out of training/education for more than 10 years
  

As an employer/employee what do I do next?

Contact your Local VEC Workplace Basic Skills Co-ordinator: Margot Walsh  

Tel: 087 6639305  e-mail:mwalsh@crws.ie