A training programme aimed at providing expertise and support to some 65,000 people employed in community and voluntary organisations across the State was launched yesterday.
The Sector Skills programme has been established to meet the training demands among organisations with regard to strategic planning, organisational development, fundraising and communications.
While many groups provide training for their staff, the new programme will seek to complement and support what is already there.
The €1.24 million programme is co-funded by the Department of Enterprise's national training fund and The Wheel, a support and representative body for the community and voluntary sector.
At the launch yesterday, Deirdre Garvey, chief executive of The Wheel, said focus group research it had commissioned showed that while training was widespread, there were issues regarding its quality and relevance.
"This research showed that the biggest challenges facing community and voluntary organisations are funding uncertainty, the demands of sustaining and developing their organisations, and the recruitment and retention of experienced and motivated workers, staff as well as volunteers."
There are an estimated 25,000 local and national voluntary organisations in the country, employing some 65,000 full-time workers in paid and voluntary positions.
The estimated total contribution of the sector to the economy is €2.5 billion annually.
Yesterday's training programme was officially launched by Minister of State for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen.