Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB) has celebrated the graduation of staff members who have successfully completed Skills to Advance programmes, reaffirming the ETB’s commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.

Three groups of staff completed upskilling and reskilling courses in the Bishopstown Campus of Cork College of FET. Each course was designed to develop their workplace and to upskill team members in specific areas.

Sustainability Skills:

The Procurement team completed a QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Award in Sustainable Supply Chain Procurement. Delivered by sustainability expert Conor Casey, the course explored sustainable procurement practices, ESG frameworks, Green Public Procurement, and the Circular Economy. Speaking on the day, Director of OSD Enda McWeeney commented “this innovative micro-qualification will be invaluable to enable Cork ETB to meet our CSRD and ESG goals and ensure that our procurement processes have sustainability at their core”.

Social Media and Digital Marketing Skills:

A team of staff from Cork College of FET- Bishopstown Campus and the National Tertiary Office completed a QQI Level 5 Component Certificate in Social Media for Digital Marketing. Delivered by tutor Karen Twomey, this course equipped staff with practical skills in customer journey mapping, social media strategy, and account management, enhancing the college’s digital presence.

Adult Learning Skills:

As the uptake in apprenticeship courses continues to surge, Cork College of FET has recruited expert craftsperson’s to deliver apprenticeship programmes in Electrical, Electrical Instrumentation, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Pipefitting and Metal Fabrication. Newly hired instructors to complete a QQI Level 6 Component Certificate in Training Delivery and Evaluation. This course focused on adult learning principles, training design, evaluation, and inclusive practices, ensuring high-quality instruction across apprenticeship programmes. Valerie Cowman, Campus Manager Cork College of FET-Bishopstown Campus said

“It is really important to us to have staff who are not only masters in their chosen craft but who can deliver training to the highest quality standards. I am very proud of the team here who have completed this programme and who are implementing the concepts they learned in the classroom each day.”

These achievements highlight Cork College of FET’s dedication to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in education. Speaking on the day, Denis Leamy Chief Executive of Cork ETB said congratulations to the graduates on their commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning saying

“In Cork ETB we pride ourselves on providing a pathway for every learner and on creating a culture of lifelong learning in Cork City and County. I am delighted to see you all leading by example and embodying these values in your professional lives. Well done on completing your studies and I encourage you all to keep going and to continue in your lifelong learning journey.”