As the recession bites ever deeper, there is a serious danger that initiatives to bring learning to the low-skilled will be sacrificed in the rush to meet new emergencies.  Already, the specialist DEP programme Learning at Work and its role in the FÁS Skills for Work programme have been cut back radically.

In the current climate, successful work based programmes for the low skilled must be strengthened and built upon, extended to people on short time working and linked with training for the unemployed. The awarding to the DEP programme Learning @ Work of the Aontas STAR Highly Commended Award in the category of Workplace Learning is therefore highly significant.

Work based learning is important in the development of people's careers and their employability, especially in the difficult times of economic slowdown. Change in the nature of work and the skills and knowledge required is happening more quickly than before and lifelong learning is becoming a more important requirement for lifelong employment.

The Learning@Work, programmes encapsulate this model of lifelong and life wide learning. Click here to visit the website.

The programmes - which are run in Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Ballymun, Clondalkin, Northside and Rathmines Partnership areas - offer a flexible model of work based training for low skilled workers in the workplace.

In the past year over 300 people have completed FETAC Level 3-6 training through the programme. The projects demonstrate and test models of lifelong learning for people who maybe vulnerable in the labour market. Each project offers a unique chance to deepen its understanding about how the partnership between the three key interested parties - employers, employees and the State - in lifelong learning actions for low skilled workers can be further supported and developed.

The programme also places a particular emphasis on exploring the tri-partite learning agreement between these parties. Each project has aimed to develop employer awareness of the business benefits of addressing education and training needs in the workplace and offer employers an integrated vocational package to achieve this.

Each project has provided an accredited training programme with the support of the employers, which will result in employees receiving nationally recognised qualifications up to Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications. The programmes also encapsulate a learner centred model of pedagogy and support that is appropriate to the needs of learners within a quality learning environment.

The Dublin Employment Pact - Developing innovative solutions for employment and social inclusion in the Dublin Region. Visit our website.