Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's comments because it is important that the strategy does not neglect non-tech and non-business related further education and training.

Having read the report, that balance seems to be more weighted towards those who are probably at an advanced personal development level and who are ready to upskill and get into high-tech jobs. I note that the strategy contains a number of initiatives for those who are not yet at that stage and whose further education and training is about enhancing their personal development. The local training initiatives, the specialist training providers and the community training centres all will play a key role in enhancing a persons' personal development.

In the strategy, there are a number of elements. One of them is that the relationship with the business community is paramount to the success of the strategy. I wonder how that will work out on the ground. Will there be forums established to allow members of the FET to relate to the business sector? Is it individual providers and employer representative groups who will sit on those forums? If possible, I want to tease that out.

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