Funding for Training

Skills to Advance

Skills to Advance is a national initiative that provides upskilling and reskilling opportunities to employees in jobs undergoing change and to those currently employed in vulnerable sectors.

Skills to Advance aims to equip employees with the skills they need to progress in their current role or to adapt to the changing job market and helps employers identify skills needs and invest in their workforce by providing subsidised education and training to staff.

Skills to Advance has opportunities for everyone to upskill or reskill, particularly if you are:

• Currently working in a lower-skilled job
• Aged 50+
• Currently working in a job that is experiencing significant change

Find out More: Skills to Advance

Skillnet Ireland

“Skillnet Ireland is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led workforce development. We believe that maintaining a highly skilled workforce is essential to our national competitiveness. Our business is to ensure that your business has the skills it needs to thrive.”

ESS is on the training providers panel of several Skillnet networks, which means that learners attending our programmes may be eligible for Skillnet funding. Please contact the Skillnet networks below to check if the programme you are interested in qualifies for funding.

• Greentech Skillnet – “GTS support business with the skills needed to thrive through funded training opportunities.”
  Contact Laoise @ laoise.nifhlaithearta@windenergyireland.com
• Role Skillnet – “The overall aim of the network is to support businesses and employees to become more productive, efficient and competitive and to improve the levels of Irish businesses.”
  Contact Sonia or Michael @ info@roleskillnet.com
• ICBE Advanced Productivity Skillnet – “ICBE Business Excellence Skillnet, ICBE Advanced Productivity Skillnet and Aviation Skillnet support the workforce development needs of businesses within the Customer Experience (Cx) and technology sectors in the Munster region.”

Contact: info@icbe.ie

Please see full Skillnet Ireland network list on the Skillnet Ireland website.

Training Support Grant (TSG)

The Training Support Grant (TSG) is designed to fund quick access to short term training that can support individual jobseekers seeking employment (including self-employment ) to access work opportunities. The grant can be provided when a Case Officer or Job Coach have identified an immediate skills or related intervention, such as obtain or renew certification and permits that is preventing a jobseeker commencing a job offer. Courses up to and including QQI level 6 can be supported including PASS courses.

The primary focus of this scheme is on jobseekers and on supporting the activation policy of the department.

The Training Support Grant can be approved where:

• the course is up to and including level 6 on the QQI
• the intervention sought by the jobseeker forms part of the agreed personal progression or action plan to enter or re-enter the labour market
• the jobseeker has provided reasonable evidence or grounds of need (for example a job offer or a potential job offer) or has identified a skills gap or a requirement to maintain or achieve accreditation (for example, safe pass, driving licences, HACCP, security industry permits)

Find Out More: Training Support Grant