Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 28 March 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Lee Reynolds:

I concur with that as well. I was highlighting that there is research showing financial support plays a role. It is also about our broader attitudes to lifelong learning. The anticipation was of getting an education, entering a career and that is your career until you retire. That model is gone. It is highly unlikely that someone entering a career at 21 does not end up retraining at least once in their lifetime, given the job market we are in. We still have the mindset of, “That is your career now.” That is a significant challenge because someone who has had a good career and progressed is almost starting again. That person will have a certain position in life and responsibilities to fulfil. That is where the aspect of finances enters the conversation. There is a social attitude to changing careers.