Training the new unemployed
A spokesman for third level, VEC and Fas education and training bodies has strongly defended the delay in rolling out course places for the new unemployed, saying that the training situation facing them now is different to anything they have ever had to deal with before.
“You have to remember that our track record up to this point was based on qualifying people for jobs they were not competent to do. We are justifiably proud of our track record in this regard. Just look around any workplace in Mireland and you will see people employed to do jobs they can’t do. This programme has been a runaway success.”
“The new situation, however, presents a unique set of problems. We now have to qualify people for jobs that don’t and won’t exist. Clearly this is a completely different ballgame. We have to reinvent ourselves to face these challenges.”
The spokesman said that all education bodies were going to hold a detailed review of their procedures and philosophies and were working with highly qualified consultants to produce a consultation document on possible ways to proceed with considering undertaking the review.
