Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to address your first conference as Education and Training Boards Ireland.
Last year, at the IVEA conference in Cavan, I spoke about the forthcoming reform of the VEC sector.
Today, at this inaugural ETBI conference, I want to begin by acknowledging 83 years of innovation, flexibility and high quality education - provided by Vocational Education Committees throughout the length and breadth of the country.
The establishment of 16 Education and Training Boards on 1st July last represents another step in that journey.
I appreciate the work that was undertaken in each VEC to ensure the success of the mergers to the new ETBs, and I know that this work is still ongoing.
I also know that you are currently preparing for the transfer of FÁS training centres in Dublin, Cork and Kerry to ETBs by the end of this year, and for the transfer of the remaining training centres before the end of 2014.
You cannot do this work alone.
Last year, at the IVEA conference in Cavan, I spoke about the forthcoming reform of the VEC sector.
Today, at this inaugural ETBI conference, I want to begin by acknowledging 83 years of innovation, flexibility and high quality education - provided by Vocational Education Committees throughout the length and breadth of the country.
The establishment of 16 Education and Training Boards on 1st July last represents another step in that journey.
I appreciate the work that was undertaken in each VEC to ensure the success of the mergers to the new ETBs, and I know that this work is still ongoing.
I also know that you are currently preparing for the transfer of FÁS training centres in Dublin, Cork and Kerry to ETBs by the end of this year, and for the transfer of the remaining training centres before the end of 2014.
You cannot do this work alone.