Wednesday, 28.01.2009
Call on government to support skills development sector

A local employment service in Dublin City has called on the Government to work intensively with institutes of technology, colleges of further education, community/adult education organisations and local employment services in assisting the recently unemployed and others affected by the recession.

Estimating that the lower skilled will make up 75% of the increase in unemployed over the coming year, James-Stuart Duffin, manager of the Inner City Renewal Group believes 'programmes need to appropriately focus on the most urgent need for people who have lost their job: financial support.'

'The growing group of people affected by the recession could be enrolled in high quality courses to boost their industry skills, preparing them for a higher role than when they left work, or retraining them for growing sectors.'

Duffin identifies agriculture, transport, storage, communications, health and community services, personal and other services, and education as these areas where employment growth is likely to be strongest over the next five years.

'The Skills Development sector is best-placed to respond with their regional focus, strong networks with communities, and strength in providing applied professional and vocational education, which is developed alongside industry,' says Duffin. 'They have the capability but need flexibility to respond immediately to increased enrolments in skill development courses.'

'We need to seek support from Ministers to build skilled communities in this recession, and encourage their officials to work with us in a whole-of-government manner,' he concludes.

The Inner City Renewal Group works with residents in the Dublin 1 and Dublin 3 areas, offering one-to-one job placement mediation and support, an education guidance service, and a welfare advisor.

Phone 01 855 7207 or email icrg@iol.ie for further information