Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which educational up-skilling is facilitated throughout the educational system with particular reference to the need to meet the increased competition in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50795/13]
View answerThe education system has a key role to play in fostering and developing the skills and innovation base to support the development and expansion of the enterprise sector. The development of appropriate skills for the workplace has implications for curricula, programme design and teaching methodologies at all levels of the education system. As enterprise sectors develop and expand, demand for employees with core technical and specialist expertise across a range of disciplines continues to grow.
Employers also equally value more generic skills such as creativity, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills, and problem solving abilities. The fostering of these attributes and the development of core foundational skills in numeracy and literacy is built through the experience of students at both primary and second level. The wide ranging programme of reform which is being rolled out, by my Department, across all levels of the education system seeks to further improve the quality of the teaching and learning experience for all students and to ensure the ongoing supply of high quality graduates for the workforce.
Engagement with enterprise is taking place in relation to all aspects of the development and implementation of the education reform programme, including through representation on key bodies and implementation groups. In order to provide a modern and flexible Irish Apprenticeship System, reflective of the relevant skills requirements of industry and potential apprentices, my Department is currently in the process of carrying out a comprehensive review of the Apprenticeship System. The independent Apprenticeship Review Group has recently met with relevant stakeholders who provided submissions to the Review Group on how best to improve the current apprentice system in order to discuss their individual submissions further. It is expected that the Review Group will produce recommendations to my Department by the end of the year. My Department will continue to work closely with all relevant Government Departments and Agencies to ensure that the Government is putting the right measures in place so that people can upskill and reskill in the areas where skills are in demand.
