Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) launch Workplace Wellbeing Strategy in Naas

PICTURED ABOVE: Paddy Lavelle (ETBI General Secretary), Jo Cahalin (Manager of future building skills unit), Maria Barry (ETBI Data Governance Officer), Melanie Dunne (ETBI Facilities Administrator), Rachel Byrne (HR Officer), Jordan Eustace (HR Administrator), Ann Bergin (Finance Officer), Cllr Michael Maher (ETBI President), Mary Hilda Cavanagh (ETBI Board Member) and James Eustace (Director of OSD ETBI)

Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) staff travelled from across the country to Pipers Hill, Naas to celebrate the launch of its Workplace Wellbeing Strategy on National Wellbeing Day [26.04.2024].

The national representative body plan aims to support those who work with and represent Ireland’s 16 Education & Training Boards (ETBs).

ETBs employ over 32,000 staff nationally and deliver education and training to around 370,000 learners across primary, post primary and further education and training.

ETBI General Secretary Paddy Lavelle said, “This initiative aims to improve how we care for the welfare of our greatest ambassadors, our staff. We hope through this plan to improve connectivity and collaboration across all of our teams, whether remote or on site, so that they can effectively support our 16 member ETBs, including Kildare & Wicklow ETB.”

The launch saw staff take part in a tea morning and a ‘Wellbeing Bake Off’. The winner was Jordan Eustace from Kildare. As an organisation that operates using a hybrid work model, ETBI aims to achieve work-life balance by encouraging monthly meet ups and virtual tea breaks. The strategy also includes plans for a series of ‘Life Cycle’ talks covering diverse life stages such as Planning for Parenting, Caring for Older Relatives, Building Resilience in Close Circles, Financial Wellbeing, Men's
Health, and Rainbow Week.

Speaking about the launch, ETBI’s HR Manager and Kildare native Rachel Byrne said, “Connections and people are so important to us. Introducing a wellbeing strategy will allow us to build a brighter working environment for the team, where everyone can thrive in their own space and as part of a team.”

Also in attendance today was National ETBI President Cllr Michael Maher from Galway & Roscommon ETB.