Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There were a couple of questions. Mr. Cunningham said employers are willing to train people. How engaged are employers across the board for all the different levels? The witnesses are specifically talking about the high-level end, but there are many other jobs along the way. I know employers want to do it, but are they doing it or are they restricted? Is there anything we can do as a committee to ensure there is more engagement with employers in training people and in course development? Even though we have had many of the third level institutes appear before the committee, I get the impression that there is still a breakdown in course development and in targeting the right people. Is there an issue with the public and private sectors working together in terms of colleges and courses? Is there a need to focus more fusion there? Is the organisation not involved enough, or does Mr. Sweetman consider it is beginning to happen, as he may see it more clearly? If not, we may need to give a bit of a push as well.

In regard to career guidance, does the industry or the organisation itself engage with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors? Is the issue being pushed enough at school level? Nearly every day when we knock on doors or engage with people, parents ask along which route they should direct their children. Where is their future? Where are their jobs? Parents want more direction and more help. I do not know how we can do it, but they need to hear from the organisation. The questions we are asked every time we go to somebody's house are "What do we get our children to do? What is their future? What courses and what subjects should they pursue?". We are asked that all the time. Parents want to do the right thing and are interested but the message does not appear to be getting through. Perhaps the issue is career guidance. I do not know at what stage it goes wrong.