Mr. Declan Doyle:

We are committed to all levels of the national framework from six to nine. We deliver programmes at all of these levels through our lifelong learning centre which focuses on flexible learning, continuing education and employee development. Depending on whose figures one looks at, the institute has the highest or second highest proportion of learners who come through the lifelong learning centre model. We are approaching a figure of 30% of learners coming through that mode. We work with local companies to identify customised programmes, as well as our normal degree programmes. The training from levels six to nine is accredited. Springboard is an important part of what we have done in labour market activation measures in the past couple of years. We have had some good outcomes since the programme started. The results from the next round of Springboard programmes are being announced on Friday. We are very optimistic for a positive outcome and that we can start to engage with the employee development needs of clients.

We have opportunities, as well as challenges. One of the opportunities is to harness our teaching and research to link with specific economic objectives within the region to better match education provision with industry needs. Part of this depends on greater engagement with industry and part of it involves examining our internal processes. Some of us may have sons and daughters concluding their leaving certificate studies. They will enter college on a three, four or five year programme in September. We are committed to delivering these programmes, irrespective of needs and changes to policy. There is a commitment to learners once they embark on a programme. The speed of change is affected by this, as one cannot change midstream. Another opportunity involves knowledge creation through research and technology transfer. We are engaging in that process in our fourth year undergraduate programmes and across our masters level research to identify where there are opportunities.

The big challenge is the integration of local, regional and national policy to provide for a level of joined-up thinking in which we can all engage. HEIs require better engagement and inclusion within regional development action plans to match education and industry needs. Part of this involves the development of a better framework for engagement, regional development and understanding. We are currently working on this.