Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2009
311 Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Science the initiatives that are being proposed to match labour market needs with skills training; the tools which are being proposed to be used to anticipate labour market needs and to predict which skills will be needed here for the future. [42070/09]
View answerHigher education institutions as a standard practice engage with employers in the review and development of higher education programmes. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) advises the Government on current and future skills needs and on other labour market issues that impact on Ireland's enterprise and employment growth. The Group brings together industry, academia and State agencies in identifying the overall skills requirements in the economy. The research and reports of the EGFSN also provide a valuable input to the development and amendment of course curricula
In addition, since the beginning of the year almost 6,000 additional places have been provided on flexible higher education courses and Post Leaving Certificate courses specifically to address the upskilling needs of people who have lost their jobs. This includes 2,500 places on part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses in areas that have been identified by the EGFSN as being relevant to the skills needs of the enterprise sector and to the needs of the Smart Economy.
