A core objective for my Department is to ensure that individuals and businesses are offered supports and pathways to quality education, upskilling and reskilling opportunities in order to address changes in to world of work including the digital revolution and climate transformation. Lifelong Learning could not be more important as we leverage these alterations in how we live and work. Under the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, we have defined our ambition of annual participation rate in Lifelong Learning of 64.2% of all adults by 2030. Ireland’s 2017 rate was 53.9%. Recent data on lifelong learning was published by the SLMRU in 2022 (SOLAS | Skills and Labour Market Research Unit | Research) It shows that 70% of those participating in Lifelong Learning Opportunities had a third level qualification at NFQ level 6 to 10, a total of 238,000 people.
The OECD Skills Strategy ran through 2022 and the early months of 2023, and has undertaken a comprehensive review of the National Skills Strategy and approach. Clear areas of focus emerging include increased focus on short, flexible and blended skilling options for individuals entering or transitioning in the workforce; and progressing ease of navigability through options for skilling and ensuring individualised, continuous learning journeys are encouraged and enabled for all.
Initiatives such as Skills to Compete, Springboard+, and eCollege, as well as ongoing work in relation to Microcredentials, Recognition of Prior Learning, Workforce Development, and cohering careers and skills information will all assist in embedding this culture.