Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
78. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has sought a report from the enterprise agencies on the emerging skill shortages; and if a better integration of the strategies for apprenticeships, work permits and Skillnet under the national and regional skills can be forged to address the emerging challenges. [53163/21]
View answerIreland has a developed national skills system across further and higher education and apprenticeship, lifelong learning and human capital development, under the framework of the National Skills Strategy, and underpinned by strong partnership with key stakeholders. It is firmly focused on responding in an agile and flexible way to priority skill needs, and to changes in the world of work driven by technology, to ensure Ireland has a skilled and productive workforce.
The National Skills Council and Regional Skills Fora operating under the National Skills Strategy, foster engagement, dialogue, and collaboration between relevant Government Departments and agencies, the education and training system, the enterprise agencies, and private sector representatives in relation to skills priorities.
The skills ecosystem also encompasses the labour market information entities including the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. This skills infrastructure informs and drives responsive and flexible forecasting, planning, and provision to meet skills requirements across all sectors of the economy. It has an important role to play in identifying skills provision shortfalls to be addressed by the education and training system and concerns relating to labour shortages in particular sectors that relate to other factors.
In line with commitments in the National Economic Recovery Plan, I recently launched a Skills Strategy Project to be undertaken in partnership with the OECD, which will play an important role in ensuring that Ireland's skills system is effective in meeting skills and human capital needs. This will be central to our economic and social sustainability against the backdrop of major trends impacting on the workforce and society including digitisation and climate transition.
