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Action Plan for Jobs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (296)

Dara Calleary

Question:

296. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the 2012 targets set for his Department for implementation of the Jobs Action Plan; if he will report on the attainment or otherwise of these targets; the reason targets were not met; the steps he is taking within his Department to create new jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1280/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Education and Skills actions in the "Action Plan for Jobs 2012" are set out in the following document.

All actions were implemented on target, with one exception regarding an element of action 1.38 – "Introduce a systematic approach to the national surveying of undergraduate and postgraduate students and employers to inform institutional and programme management and development."

A working group chaired by the HEA which includes institutional and student representatives has been established to oversee the introduction of the new national student survey in question. I understand that it had been planned that a pilot of the new National Student Survey would be ready to be tested during the third quarter of 2012. However, more time was required to finalise the survey instrument. This further developmental work is currently underway and measures are also being taken to raise awareness of the survey among higher education institutions and students in advance of the roll out of a full scale national pilot in the first quarter of 2013. While my Department has no direct role in the creation of jobs, it is providing significant and innovative training opportunities for the unemployed to assist them in returning to work. It also should be noted that the funding for positions throughout the education sector is channelled through the Department's budget.

Department of Education and Skills

2012 Action for Delivery

1.34 Ensure unemployed persons have access to relevant education and training solutions

Allocate €20 million for a new Education and Training Fund Design and operational details of the new Fund to be arranged.

Q1 2012 DES

Prioritise places, including in the further education and training sector, specifically for those on the Live Register for 12 months or more FÁS, Skillnets, Further Education and Training providers have been notified of the requirement to prioritise the long term unemployed

Q1 2012 D/ Social Protection / DES/ SOLAS

Issue a new call under the Springboard programme for higher education courses that are aligned with areas of future skills needs as identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs targeted at the unemployed.

Q1 2012 DES / HEA

Having regard to objectives of Pathways to Work , establish a formal process to ensure that the training provided under the auspices of SOLAS is consistent with the demands of the labour market and the needs of individuals to regain and secure employment. At a strategic level, an agreed and structured consultation process will be established between the National Employment and Entitlements Service and SOLAS, as well as other stakeholders including the Higher Education Authority and Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, in relation to the development and delivery of education and training programmes to meet the needs of those on the Live Register and national skills needs

Q1 2012 DES / SOLAS / D/Social Protection / DJEI / Forfás / Industry

1.35 Respond to immediate shortages in the ICT sector

Maximise the uptake of Springboard ICT programmes, Jobbridge National Internship Programme, and introducing a Higher Diploma Level 8 Conversion Programme

Initiate Q1 2012 DES

Improve retention rates on undergraduate ICT programmes including the promotion of alternative ICT related progression pathways for students

Ongoing 2012 DES

Increase the mathematical proficiency of students at secondary level including further roll-out of Project Maths, professional development opportunities for teachers and the implementation of a new National Numeracy and Literacy Strategy

Ongoing 2012 DES

Ensure that higher education programmes in ICT are aligned to changing needs including the establishment of a high level ICT Foresight Group to strengthen further the dialogue between key industry and HEI decision makers

Initiate Q1 2012 DES

Increase the number of students with good maths skills into ICT undergraduate programmes through a range of awareness initiatives that will complement the introduction of bonus points for maths from Sept 2012.

Ongoing 2012 DES

1.36 Incentivise greater participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and highlight areas of skills shortages

Provide bonus points for students taking leaving certificate higher level mathematics from 2012.

Ongoing 2012 HEIs

Disseminate the work of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs on future trends and vacancies to schools and guidance counsellors, appropriate websites (e.g. Qualifax, Careers Portal, Career Directions) and through the media.

Ongoing 2012 EGFSN / Forfás / DES / Education and Training Providers

Examine the scope to make available a limited number of bursaries that would be linked to the takeup of specified skills in high demand.

Q4 2012 DES

1.38 Improve linkages between higher education and enterprise

Introduce of a new system of strategic dialogue to align funding of higher education institutions to performance in the achievement of national objectives for system development and priorities in relation to skills development.

Ongoing 2012 HEA

Introduce a systematic approach to the national surveying of undergraduate and postgraduate students and employers to inform institutional and programme management and development.

Pilot completed Q 3 2012 HEA

Publish guidelines for the establishment of higher education institutional clusters at a regional level to support enterprise development and employment needs.

Q1 2012 HEA

Introduce a targeted funding scheme for research masters scholarships with strong enterprise focus.

2013 HEA

1.39 Foster greater alignment between the Further Education and Training sector and the labour market

Review of further education and training options so that employment prospects for participants are improved and enhance capacity to respond to specific sector or occupational skills needs On statutory establishment, SOLAS and other agencies under the DES (e.g. Higher Education Authority, Skillnets) will roll out a new approach through better targeting of services appropriate to the profile of the unemployed and the needs of the labour market, based on a shared analysis of the available data in relation to the profile of unemployed people, including Live Register, Quarterly National Household Survey and Department of Social Protection profiling data.

Ongoing 2012 DES / SOLAS

Review the Apprenticeship training model, including costs, duration and demand with a view to providing an updated model of training that delivers the necessary skilled workforce to service the needs of a rapidly changing economy and ensures appropriate balance between supply and demand.

Initiate in 2012 DES / SOLAS

1.46 Roll out 100 Mbps broadband to 200 second level schools

Q3 2012 DCENR/ DES/ HEAnet

3.19 Reallocate up to €1.2 million per annum from the National Training Fund to fund management development networks and mentors for SMEs through Skillnets

Pilot programme to be designed and developed

Q1, Q2 2012 DES / Skillnets

Implement and evaluate programme

Q3, Q4 2012 Skillnets

7.5.1 Implement the Action Plan on ICT Skills to address the skills needs of ICT and related sectors.

Pursue upskilling and conversion actions to increase the domestic supply of high level skills over the period 2012 2014 including maximising the uptake of Springboard ICT programmes, Jobbridge National Internship Programme, and introducing a Higher Diploma Level 8 Conversion Programme;

On going 2012 DES

Pursue actions to improve retention rates on undergraduate ICT programmes. This includes the promotion of alternative ICT related progression pathways for students;

On going 2012 DES

Pursue actions to increase the mathematical proficiency of students at secondary level including further roll-out of Project Maths, professional development opportunities for teachers and the implementation of a new National Numeracy and Literacy Strategy; On going 2012 DES

Pursue actions to ensure that higher education programmes in ICT are aligned to changing needs including the establishment of a high level ICT Foresight Group to strengthen further the dialogue between key industry and HEI decision makers;

On going 2012 DES

Pursue actions to increase the number of students with good maths skills into ICT undergraduate programmes through a range of awareness initiatives that will complement the introduction of bonus points for maths from Sept 2012.

Ongoing 2012 DES

7.5.2 Invest in 100mbps broadband connectivity for second level schools as an enabler for eLearning and enhancing digital skills for school leavers

Connect first 200 schools

Q3 2012 DCENR / DES / HEAnet

Roll out programme to connect all schools by end 2014

Ongoing to end 2014 DCENR / DES / HEAnet

7.6.6 Ensure that ICT Skills Action Plan incorporates needs associated with development of Cloud Computing in Ireland

Q4 2012 DES

7.11.1 Implement the actions contained in the International Education Strategy.

Continue roll out of the new Education Ireland brand and marketing/promotion strategy, especially using social media

Q4 2012 DES / EI / Fáilte Ireland

Enhancing performance through partnership and collaboration

Q4 2012 DES / EI

Development of targeted and relevant international offerings for students

Q4 2012 DES

Strengthening our Networks of Influence

Q4 2012 DES / DFAT / EI

Work directly with educational organisations to develop their capability

Q4 2012 HEIs

7.11.2 Establish a statutory Code of Practice and a Quality Mark (to be awarded to educational institutions that meet certain criteria) to provide the basis for quality assurance of education services provided to international students

Passage of legislation and establishment of QQAAI

Q4 2012 DES

Prepare for roll-out of International Education Quality Mark in 2013

Ongoing 2012 DES / QQAAI

7.11.5 Undertake a number of education missions and events in 2012 (e.g. India, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, US, Brazil).

Q4 2012 DES / EI / Fáilte Ireland / Tourism Ireland

7.11.7 Work with the relevant institutions/providers to increase their capability and potential to attract international students

Ongoing 2012 EI / HEA / Fáilte Ireland

7.12.5 Review the apprenticeship model including costs, duration and demand with a view to providing an updated model of training that delivers the necessary skilled workforce to service the needs of a rapidly changing economy and ensures appropriate balance between supply and demand

Initiate review of the apprenticeship model

Q4 2012 DES

7.12.6 Ensure that labour activation programmes continue to be aimed at enhancing the employability of the unemployed, reskilling, upskilling and keeping redundant workers/unemployed persons close to the labour market and are tailored specific to the needs of this cohort of unemployed

The “Pathway to Work” approach will ensure regular and ongoing engagement with everyone on the Live Register to provide opportunities for work, education and training.

Ongoing 2012 DES / D/Social protection

7.12.7 Ensure that HEIs and other providers meet emerging and future skills needs of enterprise within the Green economy relevant to construction.

To be undertaken in context of new system of strategic dialogue to align funding of higher education institutions to performance in the achievement of national objectives for system development and priorities in relation to skills development

Ongoing 2012 DES

7.13.1 Actions identified throughout the Action Plan will impact positively on the retail and wholesale sector, in particular our stated intention to:

Support management development networks and mentors for SMEs through Skillnets

Ongoing 2012 DES / Skillnets

7.13.8 Provide funding from the Workplace Basic Education Fund for up skilling workers in these sectors

Ongoing 2012 DES / SOLAS

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