North Kildare based ETBI General Secretary elected President of European Education Employers Body
Michael Moriarty, the General Secretary of Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), was last week elected President of the European Federation of Education Employers (EFEE). ETBI is headquartered at Piper’s Hill in Naas and is the national representative body for Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) which replaced the country’s Vocational Education Committees (VECs) in July 2013 and now also incorporates the former FAS training division. The establishment of Education and Training Boards is widely regarded as the most significant overhaul of the Irish educational infrastructure for decades.
Michael Moriarty comes from both a commercial and education background. He was formerly principal of Killeshin National School in Carlow before going on to be the first chief executive officer of Carlow Kildare Radio.
Michael is a very active member of the chamber. North Kildare chamber and the ETBI hosted two excellent business education forums last year and work is under way for another forum for this year.
The position of President of the EFEE is highly prestigious and influential as the body represents education employers right across Europe in all levels of education including pre-school, higher education institutions, education councils, ministries of education, colleges, universities and local and regional authority employers’ organisations. The EFEE also acts as the official dialogue partner to the European trade committee for education and EU institutions. In its ‘Europe 2020 Strategy’ the European Commission highlighted that education and training play a key role in helping Europe emerge from the current economic and labour crisis.
“The education sector employs around 15 million people in the EU and represents approximately 7% of the total workforce in Europe,” said Mr. Moriarty, “therefore, the EFEE has a crucial role to play in promoting the best interests of its members at European level. I consider participation in sectoral dialogue at European level hugely important for the Irish education sector, both for what it can learn from and what it can contribute to the sectoral partners. Employers’ engagement with trade unions at European level can highlight common issues and lead to joint policy positions. As President, I hope to bring issues of particular Irish interest to the table in Europe”.
Niall Browne, North Kildare Chamber President said ” We are extremely proud of Michael and this appointment. Michael is a great supporter of the Chamber. The success of the ETBI is crucial for business and with Michael at the helm we will continue to develop our excellent relationship with the education sector in Kildare”
Paying tribute to Mr Moriarty, Minister Cannon said “Michael Moriarty is a key player in the education and training sector in Ireland. He has made an invaluable contribution to the work of the sector through his role as General Secretary of ETBI.”