Sir, - The introduction of Skillnets to kick-start badly needed training and development in small and medium-sized enterprises (The Irish Times, June 9th) is welcome.
In recent times our economy has shifted from an agricultural base to an enterprise one, and SMEs have become the backbone of economic growth with 96 per cent of Irish business in this category, despite the high profile of the remaining 4 per cent.
It was appropriate that Skillnets should be established in a week when the ESRI issued a report recommending a claw-back in the enticements offered to attract foreign investment. "Growing our own" must surely be the emphasis in the future.
The establishment of Skillnets is a welcome acknowledgement by policy-makers that training and development is vital for the growth of indigenous organisations. It is the key to dealing with change, responding to competition, adapting to new systems, learning new technologies and ways of working. Many SMEs founder in the growth phase as they face new and difficult decisions and challenges. The success of programmes such as FASNET and PLATO show that training and development are hugely important for guiding and assisting these SMEs through transition and along the path of growth.
We in the IITD look forward to providing continuing support to professional trainers working with Skillnets and SMEs, and to assisting in the development of Skillnets itself in whatever way we can. - Yours, etc., Imelda Graham,
Research & European Affairs Officer, Irish Institute of Training and Development, Herbert Street, Dublin 2.