There are two ETBs serving the Mid West region, collectively serving the needs of over 39,400 learners from first level through to adult education and further training:
- Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board; and
- Tipperary Education and Training Board.
Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB)
LCETB provides services in Limerick and Clare. Through its extensive network of further and adult education centres and programmes throughout the region, offering trade apprenticeships as well as a wide range of education and training opportunities, both certified and uncertified, catering for the full age spectrum from school leavers to retirees.
The new LCETB Employer Engagement strategy increases employer engagement between the LCETB and bodies such as Chamber of Commerce, LEOs, IBEC and IDA enabling LCETB address specific training needs and design bespoke programmes where required. The LCETB Training Centre Shannon is directly involved with Mid West based companies in the aviation, electronic, precision engineering and toolmaking areas.
LCETB is a participant in ‘Limerick for Engineering’ providing a direct link to employers in developing a pipeline of apprentices, technicians and engineers to meet the specific demands of the engineering sector in the Mid-West.
The new LCETB Hospitality Education Training Centre provides students with QQI accredited programmes for a variety of jobs in the hotel and catering industry. This is an example of direct liaison with employers in the hospitality industry and addresses their skills shortage. LCETB Hospitality Programme directly targets people who are unemployed and enables them to retrain in a specific skills programme. To date the programme has linked directly with the IHF, VFI, Fáilte Ireland, DSP and local consortium of hoteliers in the Mid West region. 75% of graduates of the programme gain employment and LCETB is currently developing a Career Traineeship in Hospitality. In addition, and in response to growing opportunities in the sector, three Local Training Initiatives are focussed on delivering hospitality skills training. These are based in East and West Clare and South Limerick. The success of the programme to date is based on consultation with industry and curricula are driven by industry needs.
Tipperary Education and Training Board (TETB)
TETB provides a comprehensive range of quality education programmes to meet the needs of the community it serves , with accredited courses ranging from Levels 1-6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. In addition, Tipperary ETB plays a significant role in the Strategic Development of the County through a variety of inter-agency programmes.
Tipperary ETB has formal referral protocols with the Department of Social Protection and Local Enterprise Offices for better interagency communication. Tipperary ETB has also signed a MOU with Limerick Institute of Technology, to ensure there is a closer working relationship between further education and higher education for the benefit of the learner.
Tipperary ETB operates a number of programmes with direct employer involvement, e.g. Skills for Work, which allows those in employment to upskill via inputs from Tipperary ETB. These courses are designed in collaboration with employers and each one is unique to the requirements of the workplace.
- The Up-Skilling/Re-Skilling Committee subgroup of the North Tipperary County Development Board Economic Working Group was responsible for initiating and successfully running a ‘Who To Talk To’ Event in 2012, 2013, 2014 and an all-county Enterprise Week in May 2015.
- An Education and Training Needs Analysis of employers was also carried out and finalised in July 2014 by the Up-Skilling Committee, with key actions to be rolled out by the LCDC.