Jobs Committee to discuss skills mismatch between industry and third level with Ministers

The Committee will also discuss the recommendation's contained in the Committee’s report A review of Information Communication Technology (ICT) demand in Ireland with the Ministers.

Chairman of the Committee Deputy Damien English said: “As part of our on-going hearings into the skills mismatch between industry requirements and the courses provided by the third level sector, we will be particularly interested in getting the perspectives of the two ministers for primary responsibility in this area.

Some industries have highlighted what they say is a mismatch between what industry wants and what the education system is producing and have said that they are having problems hiring suitably qualified people. The Committee’s report A review of Information Communication Technology (ICT) demand in Ireland also found that there is a significant gap between the ICT skills which are taught in our schools and those that are required to take up job opportunities in the technology sector. It is a serious problem which we must address on a cross-departmental basis if we are to develop a knowledge economy.

We also continue to lag many of our European counterparts in relation to foreign language skills. Foreign language skills, particularly knowledge of languages in emerging economies, are also key to driving our export and international trade and should be promoted at all levels of our education sector.

It is also a chance for the Committee to discuss report’s findings in detail with the Ministers. Many of the report’s recommendations, particularly the need to boost the level of ICT-literacy among teachers and making programming and/or computer science as much a part of the curriculum as French or German, would help address the industry/third level mismatch and prepare a workforce with relevant skills for a knowledge economy.”

This meeting will take place on Tuesday, 27th November 2012, in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000 at 1.30pm.

Following this meeting, the Committee will consider the 2012 Supplementary Estimates for Public Services - Vote 32 (Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. This meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 at 4pm.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee Membership

Deputies: Dara Calleary, Áine Collins, Michael Conaghan, Damien English (Chair), John Halligan, Seán Kyne, Anthony Lawlor, John Lyons (Vice-Chair) and Peadar Tóibín.

Senators: Deirdre Clune, David Cullinane, John Kelly, Michael Mullins, Feargal Quinn and Mary White