Maria Walshe

What a night ⭐ Our incredible SOLAS colleague Gay O'Connor has just won Employee of the Year National Diversity & Inclusion Awards 🥳#NDIA2025 So well deserved for her amazing contribution towards creating a truly meaningful diverse & inclusive workplace culture in SOLAS

We are absolutely thrilled to Win Public Sector Organisation of the Year at National Diversity & Inclusion Awards tonight 🥳 NDIA2025 It is amazing recognition of the unwavering commitment and passion of our amazing team to create real change in SOLAS.

Have you seen our School Leaver campaign activity in Heuston Station & locations around the country? This national campaign is part of our work to promote FET courses for school leavers. Available in every county through the ETBs, you can find out more at thisisfet.ie

We are so excited to launch SOLAS' national campaign today highlighting the endless Further Education and Training (FET) opportunities available to school leavers in every county through their local Education and Training Board (ETB). Learn more at thisisfet.ie

2024 was another amazing year for FET! Highlights include 5 FET Colleges of the Future capital projects recently moving to the next stage of development. They will provide essential learning spaces at the heart of communities, driving lifelong learning & workforce transformation.

That’s a wrap on the last meeting of the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy Implementation Steering Group, where we reflected on the achievements across the five year strategy. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the successful implementation of this strategy.

“Fast becoming a prime destination for school-leavers, increasing numbers of students are now choosing the FET route.” SOLAS Branding, Communications & FET Strategy Implementation Director ⁦@MariaWalshe⁩ highlights world of opportunities through FET. irishtimes.com/ireland/educat…

Huge thanks to our colleagues in @CorkETB for hosting the 4th FET Strategy consultation for ETBs this afternoon. Really important discussions on how we can deliver on our future ambition for FET & ensure that learners have the best possible experience & supports #ThisisFET

Great couple of days with the @SOLASFET board in sunny Limerick including a great strategy session today with Minister @podonovan outlining his priorities & @stephenkinsella the critical role of skills in maintaining our economic competitiveness

Brilliant to see the @IrishTimes Smart Choices supplement hit the streets today, with loads of info on FET & apprenticeship options for those thinking about their next steps after school - also watch these options come to life at WorldSkills Ireland & Higher Options in a few wks

The Probation Service had a fruitful meeting in Cork with the @IrishPrisons @SOLASFET and @CorkETB to advance the Prison Education Taskforce. We're committed to improving education and training for those in custody and under probation supervision. Thanks to @CorkETB for hosting

@LeeAnna64056981 @itmtrav @BridgetKelly01 @Alan_McGrath1 @PaveePoint @SOLASFET @andrewbrownlee7 @DeptofFHed @Education_Ire @nalaireland @apprenticesIrl @SimonHarrisTD @edu_equal Great to see you both yesterday @LeeAnna64056981 & @BridgetKelly01. Thanks for joining us to discuss #futureFET @SOLASFET @ThisisFet

@itmtrav National TAIP manager @BridgetKelly01 & I the National Outreach Officer attended SOLAS FET Strategy: transforming life consultation in Dublin head office. We were delighted to speak to SOLAS Directors @Alan_McGrath1 @MariaWalshe & looking forward to future collab work🤞

Our Summer Skills Bulletin 2024, compiled by SOLAS' Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SMLRU), provides valuable insights for those examining ways to reduce gender segregation in the Irish labour market - Read more at🔗solas.ie/reducing-gende…

🌍The WorldSkills competition will see over 1,500 competitors from around the world demonstrate their skills. Team Ireland will compete in areas including Industrial Mechanics, Beauty Therapy, Restaurant Service and Cloud Computing. 🔗Learn more here: gov.ie/en/press-relea…

New SOLAS report from our SLMRU shows increase in lifelong learning (LLL) participation rate to 14%. The data focuses on Q4 of 2023 & identifies how LLL participation rates differ amongst different cohorts of the population. Read the full report here: solas.ie/f/70398/x/e230…

@LeeAnna64056981 @roryos23 @Instgc @SOLASFET @JoanMcnaboe @nina_burke100 @NessaWhite75 @andrewbrownlee7 @Alan_McGrath1 @NatashaKinsell1 @DubeColleen Thanks Lee Anna

@MariaWalshe @roryos23 @Instgc @SOLASFET @JoanMcnaboe @nina_burke100 @NessaWhite75 @andrewbrownlee7 @Alan_McGrath1 @NatashaKinsell1 @DubeColleen Hi Maria, Thanks for the update and look forward to seeing the inputs, outcomes re FET strategy etc. My email is Lee.anna@itmtrav.ie. I’m looking forward to working closely with yourselves in the future. - Contact me any time. Lee Anna

A great afternoon of consultation on the development of the next FET Strategy 2025-2029. Huge thanks to the Transforming Learning FET Strategy Advisory group members for all of their input. Important and informed themes emerging for #futureFET. Exciting times ahead #thisisfet

@LeeAnna64056981 @roryos23 @Instgc @SOLASFET @JoanMcnaboe @nina_burke100 @NessaWhite75 @andrewbrownlee7 @Alan_McGrath1 @NatashaKinsell1 @DubeColleen Hi Lee Anna, Thanks for your msg. Consultation on the new FET strategy is just kicking off & we hope to have input from all FET stakeholder and learner groups. A public consultation will also be going live soon. Great if you could pm me your email so I can send you details?

@MariaWalshe @roryos23 @Instgc @SOLASFET @JoanMcnaboe @nina_burke100 @NessaWhite75 @andrewbrownlee7 @Alan_McGrath1 @NatashaKinsell1 @DubeColleen Hi Maria, I’m just curious but is there any active Traveller inclusion voices& inputs being explored re the current consultations& development of the strategy? Especially relating to the key priority action areas for marginalised groups e.g Travellers? & PSD implementation?

Andrew Brownlee, CEO SOLAS delivering the keynote address at today’s @NAPD_IE FETCI Conference and outlining key themes emerging for the next #transforminglearning five year Strategy.