Director Craft Apprenticeship – Capacity & Integration (3 years) - Ref 488
SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, was established on 27 October 2013 and its mission is to fund, co-ordinate and monitor a range of Further Education and Training (FET) provisions that is responsive to the needs of learners and employers. It is an agency of the recently formed Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. SOLAS works in close collaboration with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across Ireland on provision of high-quality further education and training, equipping learners with relevant skills and knowledge, and providing a pipeline of talent into employment and to the Irish economy and society.
At SOLAS, we put the learner, employers and communities, which FET serves, at the heart of everything we do. Working with sister agencies, SOLAS leads actions in key policy and strategy documents including the most recent Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020 – 2024, the evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes (2019), the National Skills Strategy 2025 and the People Strategy 2020-2024 and others.
SOLAS is seeking to appoint a Director on a three year fixed term contract within the Delivery Division. The Programme Director will lead the craft apprenticeship team and be a member of the senior leadership team in SOLAS, reporting directly to the Executive Director for Delivery as well as reporting to and working closely with the Director of the National Apprenticeship Office. There will be a management structure and methodology for the joint working arrangements and reporting to SOLAS and the NAO. The successful candidate will play a major role in driving implementation of the apprenticeship integration project, managing change within SOLAS and supporting change across the wider stakeholder landscape. In tandem, there will be an operational imperative to continue to ensure craft apprenticeship provision operates smoothly and effectively, and that capacity continues to be ramped up in order to address the remaining waiting lists. Consultancy expertise will support the change process.
The Programme Director role within SOLAS will offer a unique opportunity to be part of transformation of the national apprenticeship system. The successful candidate will be an innovative individual with extensive senior leadership experience in a multi-functional, complex organisation, with the capacity to lead and manage change in an education and training context. They will demonstrate excellent project and change management skills and will also possess the technical and personal competencies required to successfully bring about transformational change, infrastructure planning and apprenticeship delivery within an organisational context. The ability to engage with stakeholders at a senior level, drive and manage change, and lead and develop the team are also key aspects of the role.
This is a three year fixed term position for which the salary scale ranges from €97,207 to €120,237 per annum (inclusive of two long service increments) for a 35-hour week. Starting pay will be at the minimum point of the scale as per Government Circular E100/8/82. Exceptional circumstances may apply for candidates with current service in the Civil/Public service.
SOLAS offers an excellent benefit package including a contributory pension scheme and the opportunity for further training and development.
SOLAS is currently based in Castleforbes House, Dublin 1 and the headquarters of the National Apprenticeship Office are on the Enterprise Ireland campus, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3. SOLAS staff are currently required to work 2 days per week in the office, one on our anchor day (Wednesday) and another day decided at unit level.
Applications, using the SOLAS Application Form must be submitted through recruitment@solas.ie quoting reference number 488.
The closing date is Monday, 25th September 2023 at 5pm.
SOLAS is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will disqualify.