Minister Simon Harris Launches EU Year of Skills.
This week Simon Harris launched the EU Year of Skills initiative with Skillnet Ireland. On Tuesday afternoon, Minister Harris brought to cabinet a report concluding an intensive review process led by the Department for Further and Higher Education in partnership with the OECD. Ensuring the constant examination of Irelands National Skills Strategy, the findings show that there is a need for investment in learning for all people, but most particularly for people who may be past the typical tertiary demographic.
The EU Year of Skills will run from May 2023 to May 2024. This initiative is a Europe-wide call for countries to take a renewed priority focus on upskilling, reskilling and continuous learning. It is to ensure people get the right skills for quality jobs and to help companies, in particular small and medium enterprises, address skills shortages.
In 2021, Eurostat measured the Lifelong learning in the adult population (25–64-year-olds) in Europe. This is the measurement of people within this age group engaging in education and training within the four weeks of the study. Eurostat measured this in Ireland as nearly 14% in 2021. Top EU performers, Sweden and Finland, had rates of nearly 35% and 31% respectively. These figures show the potential that this initiative could have on Ireland.
Minister Harris issued a call to action to the nation, “I’m asking every individual to take a new priority focus on their skills and their capabilities, and to learn at least one new skill this year.” Over the course of the year, Skillnet Ireland will provide upskilling and talent development supports to over 20,000 businesses of all sizes across the economy. There will be significant awareness raising efforts, highlighting the hugely rich range of opportunities to upskill, reskill and learn.
Learning Waves and you can play your part in raising the skills levels in the sector and in Ireland by providing high quality training that is accessible to all across the sector. Stay tuned to find out what Learning Waves will be offering you in the EU Year of Skills 2023.
For more details on the report launch by Minister Harris and Collins click here.