TikTok masterclasses and modules in AI and Challenging Content are just some of the courses that around 1,600 RTÉ staff have taken this year as part of the broadcaster’s extensive learning and training programme.
The national broadcaster revealed some of the courses in this year’s learning and training programme as the cash strapped station sought tenders for a 2025 RTÉ Leadership and management development programme that it estimates will cost €100,000 over the 12-month contract period.
According to the tender documentation, the estimated €100,000 course will comprise of a two-day programme at RTÉ’s Donnybrook HQ for up to 10 cohorts of between 15 to 20 participants.
An RTÉ spokesman said that the new tender "relates to the ongoing provision of an extensive learning programme to ensure training and development opportunities for managers".
He said: “Training for RTÉ managers and employees ranges from health and safety and AI modules to courses on important legal and regulatory matters and TikTok Masterclasses."
The spokesman said the extensive training and learning programme "is developed to meet the specific needs of RTÉ staff and provide them with ongoing opportunities to develop essential skills and acquire important information which will assist them in the performance of their roles".
He said that other courses available this year to RTÉ staff included "Cybersecurity and Information Security Training, Irish sign language, Irish language, child safeguarding, challenging content, and so much more”
The new leadership and management development programme is to include topics such as leading and motivating teams, leading through change, performance management and development, effective communication, problem resolution and collaboration networks to support transformation.
The tender states that the leadership and management development programme will include “high levels of interaction, engagement, active group exercises, workshops and scenarios with some problem solving to support learning outcomes”.
The tender further states that the programme will involve “group discussion to enable the participants to explore different ideas and perspectives”.
The programme is to be staged on 10 separate two consecutive training days during the months of April and October next year.
The tender states: “RTÉ may require a smaller version of the programme going forward."
The RTÉ spokesman said today that the tender "is for a programme of important training courses for managers. The programme will be tailored to meet needs of managers across RTÉ and incorporate learnings from previous courses”.
The closing date for tenders for the leadership and management development programme is January 10th and RTÉ expects to award the contract on February 3rd.