Market researchers part of Solas Skills forecasting event

By Echo Reporter

LUCAN residents, and labour-market researchers, Anne-Marie Hogan and Ivica Milicevic of the SOLAS Skills and Labour Market Research unit were part of a SOLAS hosted EU skills forecasting event which took place in Dublin last week and say 50 delegates from across the EU to peer review methods for forecasting skills needs for the economy and share best practice.

Forecasting skills needs for the economy is a key part of how the State and the education system respond to the needs of business.

The event, which was run under the auspices of the European Commission’s Mutual Learning Programme, was hosted by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority.

It explored how skills forecasting influences policy areas including education and training, labour market activation, migration, enterprise development and career guidance.

Speakers included Fabio Manca from the OECD, who discussed Assessing and Anticipating Changing Skill Needs, and Michael Horgan from the European Commission, who provided an introduction to the New Skills Agenda for Europe.

SOLAS CEO, Paul O’Toole said: “In Ireland, it is crucial that we anticipate and plan for our future skills needs in order to maintain our competitiveness, and to ensure we continue to support the domestic economy and attract foreign direct investment.

“While the historical and current demand for skills can be estimated using employment statistics such as employment by occupation and education level attained, information on the future demand for skills is more difficult to ascertain.

“This is why mutual learning events, such as the one SOLAS was pleased to host this week, are so important.”