Establishment of Organisation

The Education and Training Boards Act 2013 provided for the establishment of 16 new education and training boards to replace the existing 33 VECs.

On July 1st 2013 Co Louth VEC and Co Meath VEC merged to form Louth & Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB).

ETBs are statutory authorities which have responsibility for education and training, youth work and a range of other statutory functions. ETBs manage and operate Second-Level schools, further education colleges, multi-faith community national schools and a range of adult and further education centres delivering education and training programmes.

Roles, Responsibilities and Functions

LMETB manages four Community National Schools, a Centre for European Schooling, eighteen post-primary schools including one with Post Leaving Certificate provision, two Post Leaving Certificate Colleges, eight Youthreach Centres, a Regional Skills and Training Centre, an Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence and an extensive range of further education services throughout Louth and Meath, including Adult Learning Services, Community Education, Back to Education Initiatives (BTEI), VTOS and Adult Guidance. LMETB is patron to 6 Community Schools.

LMETB delivers a service to 12,000 students/learners at second level, PLC level and over 2o,000 students in Further Education and Training Programmes, Training Centre and Youthreach Programmes.

The general functions of an Education and Training Board, stated under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, are to:

(a) establish and maintain recognised schools, centres for education and education or training facilities in its functional area,

(b) when directed to do so by the Minister under Section 20

1. establish and maintain recognised schools in its functional area,
2. establish and maintain centres for education in its functional area,
3. maintain centres for education or recognised schools in its functional area, and
4. establish, maintain or resource education or training facilities in its functional area,

(c) plan, provide, coordinate and review the provision of education and training, including education and training for the purpose of employment, and services ancillary thereto in its functional area in:

1. recognised schools or centres for education maintained by it,
2. education or training facilities maintained or resourced by it,
3. children detention schools,
4. prisons, and facilities maintained by other public service bodies,

(d) enter into arrangements with, and provide support services to, education or training providers, in accordance with Section 22

(e) establish scholarships, in accordance with Section 24

(f) adopt a strategy statement in accordance with Section 27

(g) adopt an annual service plan in accordance with Section 47

(h) co-operate with anybody nominated to carry out internal audit functions under Section 52

(i) provide education and training at the request of, and on behalf of, anybody which funds training out of money provided to that body by the Oireachtas,

(j) support the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in its functional area and provide such information as may be requested by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to such support, and

(k) assess whether the manner in which it performs its functions is economical, efficient and effective.

ETBs are active in local communities through the direct provision of training and education programmes delivered in training centres, colleges and other training and educational settings. In this way, ETBs seek to make a real difference to the lives of the people they serve.

Such responsiveness continues to be the hallmark of the education and training boards sector, looking outward nationally and internationally, while servicing education and training locally and individually.

The CE of Louth and Meath Education and Training Board is Martin G. O’ Brien.

Organisation and Pay Grading Structure

LMETB employ the following categories of Staff in Schools/Centres/Programmes and Administration Offices throughout Louth and Meath:

• Chief Executive
• Director of Further Education and Training
• Director of Organisation Support and Development
• Director of Schools
• Principal and Deputy Principal
• Teachers
• SNA and PA for Adult Learners with Disabilities
• Bus Escort
• Maintenance Staff
• Administrative Staff
• Community Education Facilitator
• Adult Literacy Organiser
• BTEI Co-ordinator
• VTOS Co-ordinator
• Adult Guidance – Co –Coordinator, Counsellor, Information Officer
• Adult/Further Education Tutor
• Youthreach – Co-Ordinator and Resource Person
• Youth Officer
• Manager Training Provision
• Training Centre Staff

Pay scales and grading structures for these staff are governed by Department of Education and Skills Circular Letters which may be accessed by clicking here.