• EnviroSkillnet aims to facilitate the development of a group of consultancy companies that have similar business and technical interests and problems in order that they may, through shared experience, find a way to overcome these problems. The majority of the sector as a whole and our network at present are micro companies or sole traders. As such, they often experience difficulty with isolation and small size. Cash flow in particular is a big problem for sole traders and contributes to the difficulty of obtaining training to maintain current skills and to upskill. Participating in this network will help these companies to grow their businesses and adapt to an ever changing market forces.


  • The cost of training is prohibitively high. Being part of a network will provide the scale necessary to meet this cost. EnviroSkillnet will continue to foster the identification of training needs by the network members themselves. Using our carefully planned training schedule we will provide the members with the specialised training that will provide them with the tools necessary to meet the marketplace requirements. To provide structured accredited training in skills needed for the collection, analysis and interpretation of environmental data. A large number of courses were identified of which a realistic number were selected to pursue.


  • At present, the smaller companies and sole traders cannot afford to invest in training. The larger companies often send their staff abroad for training. This may not always be appropriate to the Irish situation. EnviroSkillnet will nurture the principle of accredited training where possible. The network will actively engage with accreditation bodies and educational institutions to provide this training.


  • As already stated, skills in this sector are in great demand. They are often acquired informally and on the job training is the norm. EnviroSkillnet aims to provide a platform to agree and promote best practice and a common standard for environmental technical skills. To improve quality in the collection, analysis and interpretation of environmental data in order to prove continued competency of firms operating in this sector. Network members will have a key role in this process by contributing and participating in best practice site visits.
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  • At present the network is specialised in that membership has focused on the ecological side of the profession. From the focus group meetings, a potential new source of trainees was uncovered. These included green energy providers and users, eco tourism and sustainability indicators. There are a large number of Rural Environmental Protection Schemes (REPS) consultants who have not yet been targeted. During the development phase of the application, an executive decision to retain the original focus of the network was made to ensure the success of the network. However, it is believed that training needs in these areas require further investigation and will be developed over time.


  • To develop a core competency framework for staff engaged in the collection, analysis and interpretation of environmental data. EnviroSkills has established links with customers of the network members and with regulatory and advisory bodies (e.g. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), IBEC, Dept. of the Environment (DoE), Dept of Agriculture (DoAg), Teagasc, Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI) and local authorities, as well as professional bodies such as Institute of Ecological and Environmental Management (IEEM), Irish Farmers Association (IFA), and Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) in order to initiate this process which will continue and expand after the period of grant aid.


  • EnviroSkillnet's intentions will be to provide cost effective training and to facilitate the provision of quality customised training by supporting the development of new, innovative and flexible methodologies, to deliver more effective and user-friendly training solutions to enterprises.
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    Specific aims of the network include:
  • To conduct events in a manner that will suit members. The TNA addressed this issue and certain approaches were identified such as best practise and site visits. Other issues included regional meetings and conferences.

  • To continuously review the training needs of the sector as the network develops and grows. Network feedback will be an ongoing issue and this has already proved a productive exercise.

  • EnviroSkills will promote the identification of a mechanism by company members to determine value for money and return on investment in the cost and time spent in training. Returns can be measured not only in profit but also in terms of staff morale, retention and innovation. A number of sole traders have indicated their need to acquire extra skills in order to diversify their business and remain competitive.

  • To expand use of website and to link to network members sites to promote our members and the network itself.
    • Dr. Shirley Gallagher, Network Manager, EnviroSkillnet, Registered Office, The Rubicon Centre, Westside, Model Farm Road, Cork, Co. Cork.
    T: +353 21 4209034/5, M: +353 86 8383759, BB: +353 86 6030799, E: sgallagher@enviroskillnet.com, W: www.enviroskillnet.com

    Registered Number 451288 Directors: F.Butler, R.Gillespie, S.Hickey, C. Kelleher, L.Lewis, S.Parr, A.Ryan
    ENVIROSKILLNET is funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme, an initiative of Skillnets Ltd.
    funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

    Website by Attik AttikDesigns.ie | Clean, Elegant Web Design Designs.ie Main photos by AK-Photos.com