1. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Education in Employment and Roadmap for Employer- Academic Partnership

2. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Strategic Innovation Fund 2006-2013 €42 million in Cycle 1 - 2006 €92 million in Cycle 2 - 2007 Improve access and lifelong learning Promote collaboration Support institutional restructuring and reform Enhance teaching and learning

3. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Background and Context National Context: Workforce Development– Lifelong Learning- Upskilling and Reskilling Regional assessment of requirements Proactive collaboration between enterprise and education Common, well-understood, widely-used framework for the development of ‘Human Capital’ Higher Education Context: Moves Lifelong learning from periphery to the mainstream of academic priorities Flexible and adaptive responses to workforce development needs Creative and innovative – views academic institutions as Key Service Providers Embed isolated examples of excellence into mainstream activity

4. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Education in Employment Project: Focus on 4 distinct areas Work-based learning Recognition of prior learning Progression and diversification for craftspersons Learning needs of migrants

5. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Work-based Learning and Lifelong Learning Four concepts help understand work-based learning in lifelong learning: Partnership between external organisations and education institutions Flexibility in terms of time, place and mode of learning Relevance of meeting the needs of employers and learners Accreditation of learning experiences

6. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Recognition of Prior Learning and Lifelong Learning Formal, non-formal, informal learning Experience of the learner occupies central place in teaching and learning Improve access for unemployed and maximise opportunities for up-skilling and re-skilling Provide efficient user-friendly routes to qualifications

7. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Progression of Craftspersons and Lifelong Learning Creation of planned pathways from apprentice craft education into third level education Additional exemptions through recognition of prior learning Provision of a diverse range of delivery options

8. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Migrants and Lifelong Learning Recognition of international qualifications Recognition of prior learning English language provision Cost of education Lack of information regarding access to third-level education Support services for migrant students

9. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Roadmap for Employment-Academic Partnership Addresses the full spectrum of partnership engagement between Higher Education Institutions and workplaces Including: involvement of workplace experts in the curriculum development of flexible and accessible learning opportunities for workplace learners at all levels, fostering of research and technology transfer opportunities

10. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Tri-partite Learning Arrangements Employee- Learner Workplace Higher Education Institution Tripartite Negotiated Learning Arrangements National and Regional Development Priorities National Economic Policies Credit-Earning Partnership Interactions Changing Demographics

11. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Projects in the Lifelong Learning Context Building Capacity and Capability Recognition of prior learning Work-based and blended learning Flexible and accessible learning Learning at, through and for work Employer as key partner in the learning process Specialist customised course developments Professional postgraduate learning pathways Negotiated and supported learning planning Relevant and authentic assessment methods

12. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland Concluding Remarks Enhancing people’s skills gives future competitive advantage to a workforce Lifelong learning should play a significant part in development for those who are unemployed or whose job functions are under threat Increasing pressure on Higher Education Institutions to work more closely with employers in meeting and predicting the workforce learning and development needs

13. STRATEGIC INNOVATION FUND PROJECT: Ireland For Further Information on the projects: www.eine.ie www.reap.ie