Vol. 487 No. 2
95 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science her views regarding the slow take up by young unemployed persons of high technology courses, including courses for electronic technicians, in spite of a recent Forfás awareness campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22027/97]
Sufficient information is not yet available to gauge the effect of the recent Forfás skills awareness campaign or its impact on the participation of young unemployed people in high technology courses. The 1997 awareness campaign was the first stage in an initiative to create greater awareness of the opportunities for young people in the technical area. A further stage in that campaign is now under way. There is an inevitable time lag between providing information and seeing its impact in greater participation in the areas in question.
In that regard, the new certificate in technology course which began in January 1998 is intended to attract applicants other than immediate school leavers. I hope to build further on this initiative and thus provide varied opportunities and entry points which should be attractive to young unemployed, among others. I will also be encouraging and facilitating foundation courses directed at enabling poeple to become qualified to enter technician programmes.
