- A Network of Regional Skills Fora was created as part of the Government’s National Skills Strategy and provides an opportunity for employers and the education and training system to work together to meet the emerging skills needs of their regions.
- This is achieved through a more structured engagement on the skills agenda, and the work of each forum contributes to better outcomes for learners and supports enterprise development.
- The Midlands Regional Skills Forum covers Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.
- The Forum members work in partnership to proactively identify skills needs – existing & projected – across the region and put in place collaborative action plans between industry and education/training that build solutions to these so; local talent supply is as well aligned to local industry need.
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885 new jobs as Bord na Móna switches focus to climate
Bord na Móna has said it plans to create a further 885 jobs in the midlands as it transforms into a "climate solutions company" over the next five years.
It follows the creation of 550 jobs over the last 18 months. Of the 1,435 jobs, around 1,100 of the roles are being generated directly by Bord na Móna, while 335 will be created through partnerships with third party companies. The jobs vary from operatives to high tech and professional roles. The company is adding the positions as it develops "renewable energy, recycling infrastructure and carbon storage through peatland rehabilitation".
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