Employer Engagement Officer

NATURE OF POST

One permanent position - 35 hours per week

SALARY SCALE

€60,610 - €78,794 (including two long service increments). As per DES guidelines, new appointees who are entering this grade for the first time will start at the minimum point of the scale, however incremental credit may apply, if, immediately prior to appointment the appointee is already a serving Civil or Public Servant.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

LOCATION

Appointment is to the Louth Meath Education and Training Board Scheme.

REPORTING / ACCOUNTABILITY RELATIONSHIP

The Grade VII Administrative Officer reports to the AMTCE Management Team / LMETB Further Education and Training Director.

POST SUMMARY / PURPOSE

The successful applicant will have responsibility, under general direction, for a large section or area of a specific department. The successful applicant may have a large, multilevel staff and will be expected to take responsibility for decision making in the section or area.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Citizenship Requirement

Candidates should note that eligibility to compete for posts is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or to non-EEA nationals with a valid work permit. The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Swiss citizens under EU agreements may also apply.

Health and Character

Those under consideration for a position may at the discretion of the employer be required to complete a health and character declaration and a Garda Vetting Form. References will be sought.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Candidates for a Grade VII Officer post must:

Have the requisite knowledge, skills, and competencies to carry out the role. Competencies will be informed by best practice Public Appointment Service competency frameworks for the Irish Public Service.

Be capable and competent of fulfilling the role to a high standard.

Have obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (higher, ordinary, applied, or vocational programmes) or equivalent, or have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being of a comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher, or have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Appropriate third level / professional qualification.

Excellent staff management skills.

A high level of knowledge of work of the Scheme or be capable of developing same.

Strong communication skills, both written and oral.

Excellent administrative and IT skills.

Well-developed decision-making abilities.

JOB SPECIFICATION

The Grade VII Employer Engagement Officer will work as part of the Employer Engagement Team in Louth and Meath ETB (LMETB), supporting the development of training activity and employer engagement initiatives of LMETB across the region. The post holder will play a central role in developing and strengthening partnerships between Further Education and Training (FET) services and employers to identify skills needs, promote funded training and upskilling opportunities, and support workforce development initiatives that respond to labour market demand.

The primary purpose of the role is to build, maintain, and grow productive relationships with employers in order to address skills gaps, promote funded training supports, and facilitate employment and progression opportunities for learners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer Engagement

Build and manage strategic relationships with employers across a range of sectors, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and larger organisations.

Proactively identify and engage employers to expand LMETB’s employer base by 10–15% annually.

Conduct a minimum of 50 structured employer consultations annually.

Identify current and future skills needs in collaboration with employers and industry leaders.

Act as a key point of contact for employers seeking training and workforce development supports.

Develop, implement, and review Enterprise Engagement Action Plans.

Promote and coordinate LMETB initiatives supported by Skills to Advance and other employer-focused programmes.

Represent LMETB at employment fairs, exhibitions and networking events.

Develop and maintain an up-to-date employer contact database (SEED).

Training Programme Development

Conduct Training Needs Identification (TNI) with employers to inform programme design.

Collaborate with employers, trainers and internal teams to design and deliver bespoke programmes.

Co-design a minimum of five new bespoke training initiatives annually with industry partners.

Support and promote the integration of sustainability and digitalisation skills into FET provision.

Support the adoption of emerging and advanced technologies where relevant (e.g. Industry 4.0, robotics, AI, cybersecurity).

Liaise with Regional Skills Fora, Skillnet, Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), Chambers and other partners to enhance provision.

Outreach and Promotion

Market LMETB’s training services through multiple channels including media, digital platforms, events and open days.

Deliver a minimum number of promotional events annually, including employer workshops, careers or employment fairs and industry showcases.

Organise career fairs and employer–learner networking events.

Provide information, guidance and advice to employers, apprentices and learners on available training and support options.

Administration and Reporting

Maintain accurate and timely records on PLSS and other MIS systems.

Ensure 100% compliance with PLSS data entry and SOLAS reporting requirements.

Monitor employer engagement activity and programme participation.

Prepare reports and provide quarterly updates to FET management on employer engagement outcomes.

Ensure all programme documentation is accurate, complete and compliant.

Assist in course planning, scheduling and resource coordination.

Provide data and labour market intelligence to management to support integrated workforce and manpower planning.

Any other duties as may be assigned by the CE LMETB and or his designated Director.

Collaboration and Partnership Working

The Employer Engagement Officer will work closely with Adult Education Officers, Training Managers, programme coordinators and other ETB staff, as well as with external stakeholders and partner organisations. Effective collaboration will ensure coordinated, high-quality delivery of employer-focused services and successful learner progression.

SPECIFIC PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will be responsible for implementing the following priority projects.

Employer Engagement and Skills Needs Analysis

Conduct at least 50 structured employer consultations annually.

Develop a regional skills intelligence report to inform LMETB FET Senior Management development and planning of FET provision.

Programme Development and Collaboration

Co-design at least five new bespoke training initiatives annually with industry partners.

Support the integration of sustainability and digitalisation skills into existing curricula.

Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement

Deliver a minimum number of promotional events per year (open days, fairs, employer workshops).

Expand LMETB’s employer base by 10–15% annually through active outreach.

Operational Excellence and Reporting

Maintain 100% compliance in PLSS records and SOLAS reporting.

Provide quarterly updates to FET management on employer engagement outcomes.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

The appointee to the Grade VII Administrative Officer post will be required to show evidence of the following competencies.

Team Leadership

Works with the relevant team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing performance issues if they arise.

Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team.

Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet the ETB’s objectives.

Leads the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required.

Places high importance on staff development, training and maximising skills and capacity of team.

Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change.

Judgment, Analysis and Decision Making

Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise weighing up a range of critical factors.

Takes account of any broader issues and related implications when making decisions.

Is reflective in practise.

Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions.

Makes sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stands by these decisions.

Puts forward solutions to address problems.

Management and Delivery of Results

Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives.

Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time.

Structures and organises their own and others work effectively.

Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available.

Delegates work effectively, providing clear information and guidance as to what is required.

Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation.

Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments and changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively.

Applies appropriate systems and processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs.

Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service for internal and external customers of LMETB.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing role.

Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management.

Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues.

Projects conviction, gaining buy-in by outlining relevant information and selling the benefits.

Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect, even in challenging circumstances.

Presents information concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing.

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

Has a clear understanding of the roles, objectives and targets of self and team and how they fit into the work of the Department / LMETB Organisation and effectively communicates this to others.

Has high levels of expertise and broad Public Sector knowledge relevant to his / her area of work.

Focuses on self-development, striving to improve performance.

Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values

Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives.

Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging circumstances and high demands.

Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon.

Ensures that customers / stakeholders are at the heart of all services provided.

Upholds high standards of honesty, ethics and integrity.