Minister Bruton Seeks to Boost Traineeships

Launching a new easy to use guide to traineeship, Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD today called on employers and learners to avail of the opportunities available to them in the area of traineeships. This Government is committed to doubling the number of trainees enrolled by 2020 and to significantly expanding the number of industries offering traineeship pr... Read More

Reform of the National Training Fund: Budget 2017

The 2017 Budget will allow a significant investment to be made in higher and further education and training. The National Training Fund levy will be raised by 0.1% in 2018 to 0.8% and by a further 0.1% in both 2019 and 2020. This measure allows for additional expenditure of €47.5 million from the NTF in 2018. The final two increases will be subject to the implementation of the necessary refor... Read More

OECD: More Spending Needed on Third-Level Education 

Ireland spends a "much lower" proportion of its GDP on third-level education compared to other OECD countries. Ireland spends just 1.1% of GDP on third-level education, below the OECD average of 1.6%, according to an OECD study published today. The report says "more spending is needed". Click here to view full article... Read More

Apprenticeship Proposals Guidance Document

Thinking of making an Apprenticeship Proposal? Get the guidance document to learn about the process. Click Here for the Document...   This document provides guidance on a Call for Apprenticeship Proposals. The Call will remain open until 17:00 on Friday 01 September 2017. Read More

At last, new apprenticeships - at €23K a year in the IFSC

Finally, more of the long-promised apprenticeships are coming on stream - and just in time for school-leavers looking for an alternative to the CAO. The roll-out of three new-style 'earn-as-you-learn' programmes, including some in white-collar areas such as financial services and software development, is expected in the autumn. Read More... Read More

Learning Tech Ireland 2017 - Reflection

Learnovate a very different approach to their conference this year, rather than showcasing technologies and discussing themes in the area they chose, for this year, to provide a three tiered structured approach to the day.    The purpose of this article is not to recount the excellent presentations, but to deliver prompts for those who were there and a flavor to those who could not m... Read More

The 2017 Call for Apprenticeship Proposals

The 2017 Call for Apprenticeship Proposals is now launched (04 May) and will close at 17:00 on Friday 01 September. Generation Apprenticeship is a major expansion project to more than double the number of learners taking the apprenticeship route. Read More... Read More

National Skills Council and Nine Regional Skills Fora Launch

The Minister for Education and Skills, Mr. Richard Bruton T.D., and the Minister of State for Training and Skills, Mr. John Halligan T.D., launched the National Skills Council, which will be chaired by Minister Bruton, and nine Regional Skills Fora. The purpose of the National Skills Council (NSC) is to make Ireland a leader in anticipating and responding to the rapidly changing skills nee... Read More

Revised guidelines on VAT Treatment of Education & Vocational Training

Please find the link below to Revenue’s revised guidelines on VAT Treatment of Education & Vocational Training.   We would specifically draw your attention to Section 4 which brings clarity to the issues which have been the source of confusion for some time now.   Once again, we are very pleased with this outcome and are grateful to everyone who worked with us on this over ... Read More

Consultation on Proposed Exchequer Employer Funding Mechanism for Higher Education and Further Education & Training

IITD has submitted a comment to the Department of Education & Science as part of the Consultation on Proposed Exchequer Employer Funding Mechanism for Higher Education and Further Education & Training.     Read More.... Read More