ICOS SKILLNET looking at another busy year of training courses

ICOS Skillnet Dairygold Graduation

The ICOS Skillnet team has had a busy start to the year running courses to help members in improving the skillsets of their teams and furthering the careers of their management and staff.

Earlier this month in conjunction with Dairygold Co-operative Society and Munster Bovine celebrated the graduation of 23 learners after successfully completing programmes in Management Development and Retail Operations Development.

The programmes are run by ICOS Skillnet in conjunction with our training partners, Keith Harford and Associates, Irish Business Training and Harvest.

Recipients with management at the ICOS Skillnet Management Development Programme Dairygold Graduation in the Springfort Hall Hotel, Mallow, Co. Cork. Picture: Alf Harvey. No Reproduction Fee
The attendance at the ICOS Skillnet Dairygold and Munster Bovine Graduation in the Springfort Hall Hotel, Mallow. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Management Development Programme certificate recipients Aishling McCarthy and Jason Thompson with Mary O’Keeffe, Martin Kavanagh and Mary O’Brien, Munster Bovine and TJ Flanagan, ICOS CEO at the ICOS Skillnet Munster Bovine Graduation in the Springfort Hall Hotel, Mallow, Co. Cork. Picture: Alf Harvey. No Reproduction Fee

According to head of learning and development with ICOS Skillnet Billy Goodburn, “the aim of the ICOS Skillnet Management Development Programme and the Retail Operations Development Programme is to increase the capabilities of those wishing to improve themselves and further their careers. The programmes will help the staff at these two great businesses build on existing skills and develop new management capabilities & competencies.”

The culmination of these programmes has led to 19 people receiving an endorsed award of recognition from the Learning and Development Institute in addition to an industry recognised certificate of completion from ICOS Skillnet. The 12 MDP participants also received a QQI level 6 award in Leadership, which is recognised on the National Qualifications Framework.

FIELDS PROJECT

The FIELDS Project is aimed at identifying the future skills needs of the Agri-Food and Forestry Sectors, with particular focus on Sustainability, the Bioeconomy, Digitalisation, Soft Skills and Business & Entrepreneurship Skills.

Billy Goodburn said, “It is hoped this project will influence future training offerings available through third level institutions as well as other informal training providers, that will support farmers, foresters and co-operative industries alike.”

He added, “With key reports on Future Skills needs and trends across Europe having been compiled, we are developing national roadmaps, training curricular and EU strategies for Sustainability, the Bioeconomy, Digitalisation, Soft Skills and Business & Entrepreneurship Skills.”

This project is also very closely aligned with the pack4skills European partnership which is one of the flagship actions of the European Skills Agenda. It aims to upskill public and private organisations so they can thrive through the green and digital transitions.

GRADUATION

Meanwhile the “Sourcing Management for a Sustainable Food Supply Chain Management Programme” is a professional development programme for people working in procurement and supply chain across the co-operative food sector.

This innovative programme has been developed by ICOS Skillnet in consultation with experts in industry and universities as well as thought leaders. The key aim of this programme is to improve the capabilities of people working in supply chain and procurement.

Earlier this month participants from Arrabawn, Dairygold and Tirlán co-operatives graduated with an endorsed award of recognition from the Learning and Development Institute in addition to an industry recognised certificate of completion from ICOS Skillnet.