The Government are very conscious of the need to ensure that Irish industry is properly equipped to meet the challenge which will be presented through the opening up of the EC Internal Market in 1992.
Continuing training for those at work is essential if workers are to be able to keep up with changes in skill requirements and other technologial developments. Employers and employees alike must become more aware of the importance of training.
The Government have, at my request, allocated £4 million approximately to FÁS in 1990 for an industrial restructuring training programme to be directed at those in employment.
The programme is designed to help industry prepare for 1992. In the context of the programme, FÁS plans to enable employees to avail themselves of training under a wide range of headings. While FÁS will part fund the training costs of firms availing themselves of the programme, firms will also have to bear significant costs, both in actual training expenses and more generally in respect of the wage costs of their employees. Government policy has always been, and continues to be, that the prime responsibility for employee training rests with firms and that, accordingly, they must bear the main costs.
As President of the Council of Social Affairs Ministers, it is my intention that a community action programme on continuing vocational training will be adopted at the Council meeting in May. The aim of the programme is to support and complement the policies and activities of the member states in the area of continuing vocational training and to involve all those concerned such as employers, employees and public authorities.
