Update: Skills Requirements for Primary, Second and Third Level Educational Sectors – Education 8th October, 2014

Uimhir:174

Ceist Pharlaiminte

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíoctha
To the Minister for Education and Science

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the primary,
second and third level educational sectors are currently focused on meeting the
skills requirements subsequent to their education; and if she will make a
statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 8th October, 2014.
Reference Number: 38446/14

Freagra

Minister Jan O’Sullivan

The Deputy will be aware that there is a wide ranging programme of reform
underway across the education and training sector and one of the key aims is to
ensure the continued development of skills appropriate to enterprise,
particularly through the implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy
Strategy, reform of the Junior Cycle, the establishment of the local Education
and Training Boards and SOLAS, reform of Higher Education and the Review of
Apprenticeships.

Since 2011, targeted funding continues to be allocated for further and higher
education and training opportunities in areas where there are skills shortages
identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. 

The HEA has recently published the first System Performance Report on how
higher education performance will align with the broader national objectives of
the Higher Education Strategy. While the report has noted that programmes and
disciplines are well aligned to what the market needs, there are high rates of
employer satisfaction with graduates entering the workforce, and there is good
and improving graduate employment, it also recognises that there is a need for
improved liaison between the HEIs and industry/enterprise.  The HEA
acknowledges the need to continue to monitor and report on this engagement.
With this in mind, the HEA is developing an engagement strategy as part of its
2014 work plan, the completed strategy is expected by the end of this year.