At its most recent meeting, Co. Louth VEC was informed of the changes planned for the administration of further education and training (FET) in Louth. CEO of the VEC, Dr. Padraig Kirk, was spelling out the implications for FET that would result from the establishment of the Louth Meath Education and Training Board, the establishment of An Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) and the transfer of the Training Division of FÁS to the VECs (or Local Education and Training Boards).

The CEO said that, "significant change was afoot for the further education and training sector; the reforms taking place were complex in their own right, but when taken together will prove extremely challenging and will require a well-planned programme of change". The CEO went on to say, "the overriding objective of the planned reforms was to improve the 'customer experience' for jobseekers and other learners; what is needed is a more simple, robust and transparent FET system that fully meets the skills needs of learners".

As part of the changes being proposed jobseekers will be referred by the new National Employment and Entitlements Service (NEES) to the LETBs for enrolment onto a relevant education or training course. NEES is being established within the Department of Social Protection and will perform the functions currently being undertaken by the FÁS Employment Services Division. Following completion of courses learners will have improved and expanded upon their skills base, and will be better prepared to enter or re-enter the labour market, or further education and training.

Once established SOLAS will act as the national funding authority for further education and training. It will fund the local Education and Training Boards to run courses for those referred to it by NEES, as well as other learners that self-refer directly to the Boards. The Government recently convened an implementation group to get SOLAS up and running; it is chaired by Junior Minister, Ciarán Cannon, TD, and legislation for its establishment is being advanced.

CEO, Dr. Kirk informed the committee that the VECs remit is set to expand significantly  with the imminent transfer to it of the FÁS Training Division currently operating in the region. Nationally, some 800 FÁS staff are set to be redeployed to the VEC sector. The CEO said that he, "looks forward to the enhanced role for the VEC; this expansion in services for the VEC sector was signalled in the Heads of Bill that were published recently regarding the establishment of the Local Education and Training Boards". Other roles envisaged for the VEC under the proposed legislation include the management of primary schools, as well as the provision of essential services, such as HR functions and procurement, to all schools operating within its region.