Stormont ‘skill-duggery’

A unique collaboration between NICVA and nine of the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), has produced the highly praised Northern Ireland Voluntary and Community Sector Skills Survey 2008 report, launched by Sir Reg Empey at Stormont.

Skills Report launch NICVA is delighted to have been part of a unique collaboration between nine of the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), which culminated in the launch of the Northern Ireland Voluntary and Community Sector Skills Survey 2008 report, the only one of its type in the UK which will benefit both the voluntary and community sector and the participating SSCs.

What’s it about?

The report examined the nature, scope and impact of skills shortages and skills gaps in the paid workforce of the sector and was launched on 24 June 2008 at the Long Gallery, Stormont.

Welcoming the report, which was based on research funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey said:

One piece of research cannot fully articulate the complex nature of this sector and equally it does not claim to have found a single solution to the problems facing voluntary and community organisations, but the report has established a solid basis on which to develop further work on skills issues for this sector.

He added:

This is a unique piece of research, with Northern Ireland being the only country in the UK which has produced such a study. It is a great example of how a cross-cutting issue can be tackled successfully, when the right groups work together.

Key findings

Recruitment is difficult for organisations and for those organisations which have experienced difficulties, a low skills base amongst applicants is a concern. Equally the impact of the nature of the funding environment in the voluntary and community sector is either directly or indirectly affecting the resources and capacity in organisations to develop skills and adequately train staff to appropriate levels.
Skills gaps exist across the voluntary and community sector with just over one in ten organisations reporting that in at least one function in their organisation there is a skills gap. Nevertheless skills levels amongst current paid staff are generally felt to be of the right level but where gaps do exist they are related to a lack of funding for training and development.
Current and future skills needs in relation to management and leadership are of particular importance. Strategic planning, procurement/contract management, managing change and financial management are significant skills gaps.
Organisations take training and development seriously, as is proven by the fact that the policies and procedures to identify current and future training needs are common amongst voluntary and community organisations. However, this research found that the finances are not always in place to translate these policies into action.
One of the key outcomes of this project has been the invaluable information on how the voluntary and community sector relates to each of the SSCs. This research comes at a very important time as the debate about how this relationship will be facilitated is happening now. The challenge for both SSCs and the voluntary and community sector will be how this relationship is managed in the future. There are obvious implications for organisations with limited resources in terms of their ability to establish relationships with a number of SSCs.

Download

Northern Ireland Voluntary and Community Sector Skills Survey 2008 full report

Summary report

More information

For information about NICVA’s work on skills development in the voluntary and community sector, contact Una McKernan on 028 9087 7777 or una.mckernan@nicva.org