A Workplace English Program that enables migrant employees to achieve a FETAC Level 5 qualification in English has been launched by the Laois Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the ethnic business training network Emerge Skillnet and Portlaoise-based English language trainers More than Words, and with the support of Ulster Bank. Two Laois businesses, Abbeyleix Manor Hotel and Teamwoodcraft, were the first to avail of the course.
Speaking at the launch event, Network Manager of Emerge Skillnet Noreen Keegan Kavanagh, said, \'Emerge Skillnet is assisting local businesses in Laois to fulfil the recommendations made in the National Skills Strategy report – Tomorrow’s Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy, which states that "employers, employees, and the economy as a whole benefit from investments in education and training".\'
Keegan Kavanagh also drew attention to a recent survey by the Small Firms Association (SFA) that revealed demand for foreign staff among small businesses remains very strong, with 87% of 1,090 respondents indicating that they would recruit non-nationals in the event of future job vacancies. 11% had hired foreign staff in 2007 compared with 7% in 2006.
Emerge Skillnet hope to roll out the Workplace English Program nationwide shortly, with course provision in Cork, Blanchardstown and Tallaght. Businesses who wish to avail of the program will be heavily subsidised by up to 90% of the cost.
Contact Noreen Keegan Kavanagh at 01 414 5777 or noreen@emergeskillnet for further information.
Safety Trainers Receive Noise Control Accreditation
Shorcontrol Safety, a provider of safety training, equipment and consultancy based in Naas, Co Kildare, has been accredited by the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) for the provision of a new course entitled \'Competence in Workplace Noise Assessment\'. This enables the company to train personnel in noise monitoring and how to carry out noise assessments as required by legislation.
According to Stephen Magee of Shorcontrol Safety: \'With the introduction of new regulations, demand for competent noise exposure assessments is increasing; this course provides a background of basic acoustics combined with "hands-on" practical experience of industrial noise measurements and associated assessment of workplace noise exposure.\'
The course requires four day\\\'s attendance at the Shorcontrol Safety Accredited Centre in Naas, and one examination day that includes a practical test at the same venue. The course should be of particular interest to companies in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, construction, food & beverage, and local authority sectors.
The IOA is the UK and Ireland’s professional body for those working in acoustics, noise and vibration.
For further information please contact Stephen Magee at stephen@safety.ie or 045 898198.
Equality Authority Identify Age as Key Area of Discrimination
The 2007 Annual Report by the Equality Authority has revealed that age provided the grounds for 24% of casefiles relating to the Employment Equality Acts last year, making it the single biggest area of workplace discrimination action.
According to Niall Crowley, CEO of the Equality Authority: \'the age ground predominantly involves allegations of discrimination by older workers. Age limits in the workplace are the focus for many of these allegations, including fixed retirement ages. It is clear from the casefiles that there are significant numbers of older people who do not want to be forced to retire. The emergence of the age ground as the highest area of casefiles under the Employment Equality Acts underpins the urgency in tackling the ageism that is all too prevalent in society.\'
With 68 and 65 casefiles respectively, race and gender were the grounds for 19% and 18% of the 360 Employment Equality Acts casefiles that were dealt with in 2007.
\'Ground breaking\' research carried out during 2007 has, according to Crowley, \'quantified for the first time an Irish context, the positive relationship between equality and diversity strategies in companies, and increased productivity, increased motivation and decreased employee turnovers.\'
