Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan has this week met with the chairperson of the newly reformed National Skills Council as a new strategic partnership on skills is forged between the Government, industry, and the social partners.
The new council, led by Chair Dr Kevin Marshall, will work independently to provide Government with strategic foresight and expert advice in the area of skills development in Ireland.
"I am delighted to announce the establishment of the new National Skills Council that was recently reformed on foot of the recommendations from the OECD Skills Review," Minister O’Donovan said this week. "With this reform, we are building on an already strong foundation of partnership with the National Skills Council and its important role to date in helping shape, and reshape, Ireland’s skills policy priorities.
"But as societies and industries evolve and change, and changes in the world of work accelerate, so too must our approach to skills, and how we work in partnership. The new council is now a demand-led model that will help Government to adapt and evolve its policies quickly and in tune with the skills requirements of society and the labour market."
New chair Dr Kevin Marshall, who is head of learning and skills at Microsoft Ireland, added: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to spearhead a group that will bring energy, enthusiasm, and dynamism to this vital facet of Ireland’s continued economic success and social stability.
“The council will help Ireland to achieve the innovation and reforms necessary to make and embed the far-reaching policy changes required to respond to the rapidly evolving skills and labour market landscape of the 21st century.”
In pursuing these objectives, the membership of the council now spans representatives from multinationals and social enterprise, as well as local, family-owned SMEs. This diversity provides a wide range of expertise, first-hand knowledge and a practical understanding of workforce skills needs in terms of the 'demand’ for skills in the economy and society.
The new council will be supported by a High-Level Skills Implementation Group, bringing the important views, inputs and expertise of the 'supply' side and the public sector to drive this key agenda.
This innovative approach to partnership will allow the Government, industry and social partners to work hand-in-hand to unlock the full potential of the workforce of the future, drive sustainable economic growth and strengthen social cohesion.
