SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna)

SOLAS was established in 2013 under the Further Education and Training Act as an agency of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Our work is guided by the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024 and the SOLAS Corporate Plan.

Working closely with Regional Skills managers and our partners in Education and Training Boards nationally, SOLAS manages a range of Further Education and Training programmes which enable learners to succeed in the labour market and thrive in society. Programmes include Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Skills to Advance, eCollege and the European Globalisation Fund.

SOLAS also manages the Safe Pass Health and Safety Awareness Training Programme, the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and the Quarrying Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS). Current courses can be found at www.fetchcourses.ie

We manage the National Skills Database and provide research, data and analysis for the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, and to inform our work.

SOLAS is the designated Intermediate Body for the European Social Fund Programme for Employment, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020. Eligible further education and training programmes are co-funded by the Irish Government, the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI). Co-funded programmes include ETB Training for the Unemployed, Adult Literacy, Back to Education Initiative, Community Training Centres and Youthreach.