Anne Heraty Chairperson, Expert Group on Future Skills Needs Skillnets National Conference 7 May 200

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Anne HeratyChairperson, Expert Group on Future
Skills NeedsSkillnets National Conference7 May
2008
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National Skills Strategy Vision
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If we do nothing?

• Ireland will still lag comparator countries in
  terms of percentage of the labour force with
  lower secondary education or below
• Supply will not meet demand for skills in 2020.
  There will be shortages of tertiary level skills
  and an oversupply of lower level skills
• Ireland will continue to have a large cohort at
  or below lower secondary level qualifications,
  which is not desirable from an economic or
  societal perspective
• Ireland will not realise the potential for skills
  to shape the economy of the future and
  contribute to productivity and innovation

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Upskilling the workforce
Within the workforce an additional 500,000
people need to be upskilled through either
education or training
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Within the formal education system
Education

• The retention rate to Leaving Certificate should
  reach 90 by 2020
• The progression rate from second to third level
  should increase to 72 by 2020
• In 2020, 94 of the population aged 20-24 should
  have a second level qualification

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Migrants

• Immigrants need to be integrated into the
  education and training system at all levels
• English language supports need to be put in place
• The recognition of international qualifications
  is key to maximising the contribution of
  immigrant labour

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Implementation

• Communication of vision, objectives and
  principles
• Establishment of Implementation Group, Chaired by
  Minister for Lifelong Learning
• Research on mechanisms that might be used to
  incentivise employers and employees
• Learning Leave
• Individual Learning Accounts/Vouchers
• Tax Incentives
• Brokerage Services

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Challenges in the Construction Sector
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Focus on key areas of policy

• Implementation of the National Skills Strategy
• Implementation of the Strategy for Science,
  Technology and Innovation
• Development of the National Strategy for Higher
  Education
• Managing structural change and addressing skills
  shortages