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New strategy aims to create 50,000 apprenticeships by 2020

The Government has a long term economic plan to keep the recovery going and the first step of that plan is the creation of more and better jobs. The ability to attract new jobs, and having our people fill those jobs, is dependent on having a well-educated, well-skilled and adaptable work force. This National Skills Strategy aims to provide an education and training system that is flexible enough to respond to a rapidly changing environment and that can provide the mix of skills needed over the next ten years, and beyond - Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Supporting 50,000 apprenticeship and traineeship places to 2020 is a headline figure of Government's new National Skills Strategy which is a key pillar in the Government’s plan to keep the recovery going and build sustainable economic growth. 

The Strategy identifies Ireland’s current skills profile, provides a strategic vision and specific objectives for Ireland’s future skills requirements, and sets out a road map for how the vision and objectives can be achieved. At its core, it aims to ensure that Ireland’s current and future workforce needs are met through increased participation, educational attainment, skills development and skill use. 

The Strategy aligns with Government's key economic strategies - Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work - which aim to stimulate employment growth, and make sure that as many as possible of these new jobs, and other vacancies that arise in the economy are filled by people from the Live Register. 

Establishing a National Skills Council

Other key headlines in the National Skills Strategy include establishing a new National Skills Council which will oversee research, forecasting and prioritisation of skills needs in the economy. Regional Skills Fora - which form part of Government's Action Plan for Jobs - will be developed further to connect employers with education and training providers and meet the skills need for each region.

Developing entrepreneurship guidelines in schools

There will be an increased focus on lifelong learning and a target to increase participation in lifelong learning to 15% by 2025 (from 6.7% in 2014). The School Leaver Age will be reviewed with a view to increasing it. There is also a focus in ensuring that students across second and higher level education can benefit from work placements, while an Entrepreneurship Education Policy Statement will be developed to inform the development of entrepreneurship guidelines for schools. 

For more information

Read the National Skills Strategy document.