Mr. Michael Hourihan:

Certainly IBEC would be aware of World Skills Ireland. IBEC itself has developed a number of apprenticeships, which is really important as well. It would be more aware of apprenticeship and more involved in the delivery of apprenticeships. On IDA Ireland, when we developed the new cybersecurity competition for World Skills Ireland, the feedback was that it was absolutely brilliant because they could sell this to foreign companies, that the level of skills that are needed are actually in the economy. There is a shortage everywhere. Through promotion of skills we can encourage more people to come in.

We really have to step back a number of years and link those who are in second level now to get them thinking about what their career options will be. The developments in the formation of the National Apprenticeship Office are very interesting and important. The conversations that are starting between further education and higher education and the linking right the way through are also very important. The issue is to get over that idea which parents have that if one goes to an apprenticeship, one somehow stops at some stage. One must say, however, that it is absolutely wide open and the ability and options to return to further education, part-time or full-time, are fully there. It is important and we need to sell the idea that it is lifelong learning and it never stops.

The same way in which one can upskill in one’s career, one can equally upskill throughout one’s education. That is also a very important thing that we need to make clear.