Skillnet Ireland Business Networks and National Initiatives Nominated for Five L&DI Excellence in Learning Awards

Skillnet Ireland Business Networks and National Initiatives have been nominated for five Learning and Development Institute (L&DI) Excellence in Learning Awards within three award categories. Each of this year's initiatives have a strong story to tell and each of these Skillnet Networks and Initiatives are making significant impacts on the productivity and innovation of businesses and future career development opportunities for Irelands future workforce.  

Green Tech Skillnet and XL Vets Skillnet have been nominated for Best Graduate Development Initiative. Skillnet Ireland and Skillnet Climate Ready Academy have been nominated in the Best L&D Collaboration Initiative category. ICBE Business Excellence Skillnet, Merit Medical and Ardin Career Development are also shortlisted in the Best L&D Collaboration Initiative category, while Taste 4 Success Skillnet and Blas na hÉireann are nominated for the Best Coaching or Mentoring Initiative.

Skillnet Ireland and Skillnet Climate Ready Academy 

Skillnet Ireland and Skillnet Climate Ready Academy have been nominated in the Best L&D Collaboration Initiative category. The Skillnet Climate Ready Academy is a collaborative initiative between Skillnet Ireland and 20FIFTY Partners to help Irish businesses prepare for the challenges of climate change. Launched in 2021, the initiative supports companies at all stages of their sustainability journey and guides them through the key steps required to bridge the gap to transition to sustainable business operations. The Skillnet Climate Ready Academy offers micro-credential programmes dedicated to climate action that are stackable, over time, with over 80 people graduating this year with a Certificate in in the Fundamentals of Sustainable Resource Management accredited by the University of Limerick.  

ICBE Business Excellence Skillnet - Connect at Your Best  

In the post Covid-19 pandemic world, businesses reported that some employees were struggling to communicate effectively and adapt to new ways of working, including the mix of remote working, in-person meetings and virtual communication. To address the unique challenges presented by this unprecedented new hybrid working reality, ICBE Business Excellence Skillnet, Merit Medical and Ardin Career Development collaborated to co-design and deliver a professional development programme in communication and employee empowerment. The Connect at Your Best initiative focuses on developing key transversal skills to empower individuals to effectively communicate and create more positive and productive environments in both the workplace and in personal relationships. Many business leaders noted that they especially value these programmes as they are relevant for everyone at all levels of organisations, including individual contributors as well as people managers and teams. ICBE Business Excellence Skillnet, Merit Medical and Ardin Career Development have been shortlisted for the Best L&D Collaboration Initiative. 

Taste 4 Success Skillnet - The Backyard at Blas 

In 2017, to celebrate its 10th anniversary, Blas na hÉireann - The Irish Food Awards - reached out to Taste 4 Success Skillnet and with their input and support created The Backyard at Blas. The educational series allows producers to meet their industry colleagues, gain knowledge and find support for their businesses. Each year, a survey of food and drink producers right across Ireland is conducted to find out what challenges are most significant for them, what educational topics interest them most and where they need the support. The Backyard at Blas has evolved since it first launched and now encompasses masterclasses, talks from both industry experts and those working in the food and drink sector, and a mentoring programme which offers support across a range of topics including branding, new product development and the use of public relations and social media campaigns to promote businesses. Taste 4 Success Skillnet and Blas na hÉireann are nominated for the Best Coaching or Mentoring Initiative. 

Green Tech Skillnet - Graduate & Career Development Programme 

To address the shortage of skilled labour in the renewable sector, particularly in the wind industry, Wind Energy Ireland and GreenTech Skillnet developed the Graduate & Career Development Programme in collaboration with industry, training and the education sector. This innovative programme assists businesses in their search for new workers by facilitating the necessary training for graduate level talent entering the industry. In addition to providing industry-specific knowledge, the innovative programme places a strong emphasis on developing soft skills to enhance the personal growth of employees, while also giving practical, real-life experiences at several green project sites in Ireland. The goals and objectives of the programme are to enhance the skills and expertise of employees, thereby increasing their value adding ability to their respective companies. Green Tech Skillnet has been nominated for Best Graduate Development Initiative. 

XL Vets Skillnet - Veterinary Graduate Programme 

XLVets Skillnet identified a gap in the sector and designed a comprehensive upskilling programme tailored specifically for new vets entering the profession. The Veterinary Graduate Programme, the first of its kind in veterinary in Ireland, places a strong emphasis on practical skills development, developing the core competencies which vets need to excel in the early years of their careers. The Veterinary Graduate Programme supports graduates to meet the day-to-day demands of the veterinary profession, ensures graduates possess practical clinical skills and experience to excel in diverse veterinary settings and provides support and resources to facilitate continuous learning and career advancement within the veterinary profession. XL Vets Skillnet has been nominated for Best Graduate Development Initiative. 

The L&DI Excellence in Learning Awards promote excellence, best practice, and innovation in learning and development and highlight the importance of this area in today’s business climate. This year, Skillnet Ireland is proud to sponsor the Best Organisational Development & Transformation Initiative category. The 2024 winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in September.  

Congratulations to all the shortlisted nominees across all award categories, and we wish them all the very best.