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Further Education & Training Research Centre
JVET

FETRC publication - Employer Engagement in Ireland– Towards a Sustainable Approach

justin and rory
Dr Justin Rami and Dr Rory O’Sullivan (FETRC) presented their work on Employer Engagement at the 2023 biennial Journal of Vocational Education & Training (JVET) Conference in Keble College, Oxford

The paper examined the circumstances for employer engagement, with specific reference to the provision of in-course work placement, in several EU member states to ascertain if any approaches could contribute positively to the achievement of this strategic development for FET in Ireland.

A recurrent theme of FET policy in Ireland since the establishment of SOLAS, QQI and the ETBs, has been the improvement of employer engagement.  Currently, employer engagement within FET consists of three broad areas: skills intelligence for course content development, in-course work placements, and recruitment of potential employees. The second national FET strategy (SOLAS, 2020), made specific reference to “at least 30% of the Level 5 and 6 FET course offering will be work-based or practice-based, delivered by FET practitioners who keep their skills and the learning content they deliver up to date to reflect industry requirements.” (SOLAS, 2020, p.40).

irish enterprises

In Ireland, the present level of employer engagement is voluntary, with no obligation on employers to participate.  The strategic objective to increase not only the volume of this engagement, but the quality of it, presents challenges for FET Colleges. What incentive would an employer have for an increased work placement programme?

J&R​