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Minister Harris invites expressions of interest to fill a vacancy on Board of Directors of Skillnet Ireland
Minister Harris invites expressions of interest to fill a vacancy on Board of Directors of Skillnet Ireland
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris is inviting Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors of Skillnet Ireland.
Skillnet Ireland was established in 1999 and is the national workforce development agency.
Its primary aim is to increase participation in training by companies to upskill their workforce and provide greater access for workers to skills development.
Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund under the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“Skillnet Ireland plays a significant role in shaping the future of workforce development in Ireland.
“I would like to invite those interested in supporting the work of Skillnet and feel they have the relevant experience and knowledge, to submit their expression of interest for this position.”
Expressions of Interest may be made by submitting a Curriculum Vitae, detailed cover letter and completed EOI form to the department at FETboardvacancies@dfheris.gov.ie
The closing date for applications is 3pm on Friday 20 October 2023.
Skillnet Ireland was established in 1999 and is an aegis body of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and is funded from the National Training Fund. The primary aim of Skillnet Ireland is to increase participation in enterprise training by companies to upskill the workforce and provide greater access for workers to skills development.
Skillnet Ireland is a Company Limited by Guarantee under the Companies Act 2014. As per Section 26 of the Company’s Constitution, the Board of Directors comprising 13 members of which three directors are nominated by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Role and function of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors acts as stewards of Skillnet Ireland and has the authority and duty to manage the affairs and business of Skillnet Ireland and its subsidiary, Skillnets Services DAC. The Board’s principal duties include:
- to provide leadership in setting Skillnet Ireland’s long-range strategic direction, and to approve and monitor Skillnet Ireland’s overall strategic plan, operating goals, operating budget, performance indicators and the business plans established to achieve them
- to ensure that the Executive team consistently adheres to and implements policy and procedures as advised
- to identify the principal risks that need to be managed and achieve a proper balance between exposure to risks and potential returns and to oversee the implementation of appropriate systems to manage these risks
- to adopt policies and processes to enable effective communication with stakeholders, employees and the public
- to develop practices to ensure that the Board functions independently of the Skillnet Ireland Executive
- to undertake a rigorous and formal evaluation of the Board’s own performance and that of individual directors at least every 18 months
Fees payable to board members
Board members are paid a fee of €7,695 per annum. It should be noted that, in line with the ‘One Person, One Salary’ principle, no public servant will be entitled to receive remuneration in the form of board fees, save for situations that are statutorily provided for, for example, Worker Directors.