Training and development professionals are increasingly under pressure to be innovative, skilled and cost effective in nurturing a learning culture that will result in the development of staff. Skills development remains a significant area of work within the overall brief of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies secretariat – this brief incorporates a range of initiatives focused on capacity building and professional skills development. The programme of work outlined within Service Plan 2010 aims to build on the work undertaken by the National Federation Secretariat in recent years to support those with a learning and development brief across member organisations. The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies, within its overall aims, seeks to support the development of world class services and key to this is ensuring that staff have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to support those that they are working with.  

The following are the specific training and development actions to be undertaken during 2010.

Training & Development Sub-Committee:

The Training & Development Sub-Committee will continue to act as a central co-ordination and reference point for a number of the training and development activities undertaken by the National Federation. The Sub-Committee is comprised of highly experienced training and development professionals from across National Federation member organisations. 

 Key Actions, 2010:

• To work with members of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Training & Development Sub-Committee to implement the groups terms of reference through arranging quarterly meetings of the group during 2010.
• To agree priority training and development actions to be undertaken during 2010.
• To provide the Training & Development Sub-Committee with regular inputs relating to upcoming events, funding opportunities, training events.
• To provide opportunities for members to share information in relation to developments in the training and learning field that they are engaged in at a local level.
• To act as a network, to share information and resources regarding staff training and associated human resource related matters.
• To review programmes of work undertaken by the Training & Development Sub-Committee on a regular basis.
• To review the Sub-Committees agreed programme of work on a quarterly basis.

 Trainers Networking Event – Autumn 2010:

To arrange a 1-day networking event for those who are responsible or involved in training activities within National Federation member organisations.

Key Actions, 2010:

• To make arrangements for a 1-day workshop focusing on supports for those involved in training activities within organisations. The event will be organised as part of the National Federation commitment to the sharing of best practice in training and development and a summary report will be compiled detailing the main themes, learning points and findings arising from the event. Specifically this event will aim to focus on a key topic of interest to training personnel and afford training personnel the opportunity to network and build links across agencies.

Learning-on-Line Working Group:

As a follow-on to the eLearning workshop that was organised by the Training & Development Sub-Committee in March 2009 a Learning-on-Line Working Group was established in late 2009 to pursue the main recommendations arising from the event. 

Key Actions, 2010:

• To encourage organisations to engage in eLearning / on-line learning through identifying common training programmes required by Federation members and seeking to determine what programmes are already available on-line that can be shared with other organisations.
• To promote HSELand (HSE website for learning & development) and seek to ensure that NFVB members are familiar with the website, its contents and are engaged with same.

Front Line Managers Training Programme - ‘Managing for the Future: Building your Skills as a Front Line Manager in a Person Centred Environment’:

To enhance the capacity of Front Line Managers in intellectual disability services to effectively carry out their role and to contribute to the human resource function within their organisation in partnership with key stakeholders. 

Key Actions, 2010:

During 2010 the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will run a third cycle of the front line managers training programme - ‘Managing for the Future: Building your Skills as a Front Line Manager in a Person Centred Environment’. The programme will be delivered in conjunction with personnel from The Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick (UL). The programme will be accredited as a Certificate in Management (Intellectual Disability), Level 6, National Framework of Qualifications. 

Specifically the Programme will aim:

• To enhance and clarify learners’ understanding of their role as a front line manager.
• To develop a specific set of skills and competencies required by front line managers and to build their confidence in their role.
• To develop learners’ people management skills and knowledge of relevant human resource policies and procedures and employment law.
• To develop managers’ people management skills and ability to lead a team.
• To develop knowledge and practical skills in managing change.
• To provide a basis from which participants can progress onto further (accredited) training programmes.

Training Courses:

To organise a range of training and development related programmes for National Federation members.

Key Actions, 2010:

• During 2010 the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will co-ordinate the delivery of a series of short-term training and development programmes which have been identified as priority areas by National Federation members. These programmes will be aimed at developing specific skills sets for staff working within National Federation member organisations.

 SKILL Programme:

During 2010 the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will continue to support the operation of the SKILL Programme in intellectual disability services. The overall aim of the SKILL Programme is to ".educate, develop and train support staff in the health services to the optimum of their abilities in order to enhance their role in the quality of service provision."  

Key Actions, 2010:

Specifically the National Federation will:

• Co-ordinate the allocation of SKILL Programme quota places to National Federation member organisations for 2010/11. 
• Continue to liaise with the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) in relation to the operation of the SKILL Programme within disability services and the customisation / development of SKILL Programme Modules to meet the needs of the personnel from disability services that are involved in SKILL Programme Training.
• Co-ordinate the draw down of funding which organisations can access to cover a portion of the costs associated with learner’s participation in the SKILL Programme.
• Complete regular reviews with organisations in relation to their experience of the SKILL Programme and to support any national evaluation undertaken by the SKILL Programme Steering Committee.

Training Links Programme:

To participate in the Training Links Programme operated by Ability West.

Key Actions, 2010:

• In 2009 the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies was invited by Ability West to join its Training Network Steering Committee which was established following a successful funding application to The Wheel’s Training Links Programme. This initiative will continue in 2010 and will aim to deliver a series of training programmes for middle and senior managers and focused on the key areas of Skills for Interview Boards / Conflict Management / Conducting Formal Investigations & Management of Volunteers. During 2010 the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will continue to support the roll-out of the training and the nomination of participants to take part in same.

HSE - Performance & Development:

To liaise with the HSE Performance & Development section on key training and development related actions.

Key Actions, 2010:

• To continue to liaise with personnel from the HSE Performance & Development Function in the implementation of training and learning initiatives aimed at supporting employee development within National Federation member organisations.
• To support the expansion of the HSE Learning Centre and to encourage National Federation member organisations to utilize the Learning Centre as a blended approach to learning and to complement other forms of learning occurring within organisations.

Student Learning / Placements:

To explore opportunities for shared learning by supporting student development and education.

Key Actions, 2010:

• The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will continue to support and develop student placement and professional development through student placement and mentoring. 

Further Information

You will find links to relevant legislation here.  For further information on the work of the Training & Development Sub-Committee, please contact our Human Resource Training & Development Co-Ordinator, Jillian Sexton, Tel: 091-792316.