Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2018
138. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the net target for the national skills strategy has not increased for 2025 based on population in view of the fact that the population has increased since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48527/18]
View answerThe Expert Group on Future Skills Needs published a report in 2007, "Tomorrow's Skills, Towards a National Skills Strategy" which contained a target that the percentage of the labour force at levels 1 -3 on the National Framework of Qualifications should decrease to 7% by 2020.
This indicator was carried over into Ireland's National Skills Strategy 2025 which was published in January 2016. On inclusion in the strategy, the baseline figure was 15%, and the 7% target for 2020 was retained. The Strategy commits to reviewing this target in 2020, with a view to setting an appropriate revised target for 2025.
The current figure is 12% (Labour Force Survey, Q2 2018, CSO)
A new policy framework for employee development, 'Supporting Working Lives and Enterprise Growth in Ireland', was developed by SOLAS in consultation with key partners. This new approach will enable targeted support for vulnerable groups in the Irish workforce as it has a particular focus on employees those who have lower skills levels and who need more opportunities to advance in their working lives and careers, to sustain their employment and to avoid displacement or to avail of emerging job opportunities. The policy sets a target of having over 40,000 workers, whose skills level is below Level 5 on the NFQ, engaged in state supported skills development by 2021. Participation by employees in relevant courses will be provided free of charge.
This new initiative is also a significant part of our national efforts to implement the European Commission's Upskilling Pathways Recommendation: New Opportunities for Adults, as almost half of those with less than an upper secondary qualification are in employment. My Department has been working with partners on the implementation of the recommendation – which aims to help adults with less than upper second level education acquire a minimum level of literacy, numeracy and digital skills. My Department has established a multi–agency steering group to identify the priority cohorts and appropriate measures to implement the recommendation. This informed my Department's recent response to a request from the Commission for information regarding arrangements in Ireland on upskilling pathways interventions. The response presented the overall context for Upskilling Pathways in Ireland, including key background information that the Commission would find useful, as well as information on existing and planned provision. The Commission are conducting an audit of interventions across Member States and hope to report back on their findings by the end of the year.
