Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2018
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the educational system at primary, second, third and fourth level continues to meet the skills challenges of the modern workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14652/18]
View answerThe education and training system at all levels has a number of strategies in place to ensure we meet existing and future skills demands in the workplace. Among those strategies are the National Skills Strategy 2025 and the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019.
The Action Plan for Education 2016 – 2019 provides a key statement on the reform agenda across the education and training system. The Plan contains a range of actions to be implemented with particular focus on disadvantage, skills needs, and continuous improvement within the education service.
The National Skills Strategy 2025 identifies Ireland’s current skills profile, provides a strategic vision and specific objectives for Ireland’s future skills requirements, and sets out a road map for how the vision and objectives can be achieved across the education and training sector.
With over 140 Actions, the Strategy sets out the Government's commitment to improving and using skills for sustainable economic growth and outlines how we can develop a well-skilled, adaptable workforce.
Included in the actions in the Strategy is the creation of a new National Skills Council. The Council, which was established in April 2017, will oversee research and advise on prioritisation and delivery of identified skills needs. Skills information from the EGFSN, the SLMRU and the Regional Skills Fora will feed into the work of the Council.
In the Higher Education Sector, the primary objective of Springboard+ in 2017 is to provide upskilling and reskilling courses to develop the talent base in Ireland in key growth sectors of the economy including ICT; hospitality; biopharma, medical device technologies and manufacturing; financial services; and entrepreneurship. In 2017 the eligibility criteria was expanded to include homemakers and those in employment who wish to upskill or reskill in specific high demand skills areas i.e. Biopharma/Med-tech.
