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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris today encouraged everyone to consider learning a new skill as research revealed that more than half of those surveyed have taken on the challenge over the past year.
The Year of Skills was launched by Minister Harris in May with a call to action for everyone in the country to put skills at the centre for this year – and to take the opportunity to learn a new skill.
Research carried out by Amarach on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, found that this message had resonated with many, with 54 per cent of those surveyed saying they had learned a new skill this year.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
"We are now more than half way through the Year of Skills, and I’m delighted that so many people have taken the opportunity to pursue something new.
"Learning a new skill goes beyond finding a new job or getting promoted. The research shows that it can improve mental health and confidence, and even help people widen their circle of friends.
"As we begin 2024, I am once again issuing our call to action – take some time to consider something you always wanted to do or learn, and go after it.
"It could be a change of career, or something that will help you in your current one, but it just as easily could be something you are passionate about but never had the time to take on before now.
"There are courses and pathways available for everyone, so let’s take advantage of all the opportunities available, and help drive both our economy and societal wellbeing."
Some of the key findings from the Amárach research included:
The launch of the Year of Skills in May coincided with the publication of the OECD Ireland Skills Strategy Report, which found participation in lifelong learning here, while above the EU average, is not enough to make Ireland one of the world leaders in this area.
There is however a rich offering of learning opportunities available to those who wish to upskill and reskill, ranging from short courses, microcredentials and part time provision to full time post graduate programmes.
Dr Vivienne Patterson, Head of Skills in the HEA said:
"Providing affordable, flexible, agile options for upskilling is key to ensuring that opportunities are available for everyone no matter what stage you are in your life.
"The Higher Education system will continue to contribute to increasing Irelands lifelong learning metrics by delivering relevant skills training informed by research and enterprise engagement in 2024."
Nessa White, Executive Director of Transformation at SOLAS, the Further Education & Training Authority, said:
"We welcome the strong participation in the call to learn something new during EU Year of Skills.
"Lifelong learning is for everyone, with the Further Education and Training (FET) sector playing a vital role in providing learners with the opportunity to engage in learning within their local communities regardless of any previous levels of education, with pathways to take them as far as they want to go.
"There is no better time to upskill and reskill close to home through smart and flexible FET courses delivered nationwide by Education and Training Board network and eCollege. This new year, we encourage everyone to explore the wealth of opportunities to learn a new skill in their local area."
Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive Paul Healy said:
"Our Skillnet Business Networks and dedicated talent initiatives, deliver the skills solutions businesses need to compete and grow.
"Fostering greater participation in lifelong learning across Ireland is essential and will only increase in importance over the coming years. Globally, the digital transformation, climate change, and other issues - are rapidly transforming the skills individuals need to effectively participate in work and society.
"We look forward to engaging more businesses, and their talent, in upskilling, reskilling, and developing talent in their teams."
For more information on courses and supports available, go to gov.ie/skills.
Amárach was commissioned by the department to carry out a nationwide online survey of 1,100 adults over the age of 18 examining attitudes to upskilling, reskilling and learning new skills.
The survey was carried out over five days between 13-18 October and asked questions around the reasons people chose to learn a new skill, whether they were planning to learn a new skill, the motivation behind learning a new skill, and what the benefits of learning a new skill have been to them.
This project was led in Ireland by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in partnership with the OECD.
The project took the form of extensive policy analysis by the OECD and extensive stakeholder engagement on skills issues facing Ireland. There were four policy Priority Areas of the project:
The project has been concluded with publication of the OECD report.
The European Year of Skills was announced by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address in 2022, calling on Member States to take a renewed priority focus on upskilling, reskilling and continuous learning. The Year of Skills is a EU-wide initiative to ensure that people get the right skills for quality jobs and to help companies, in particular small and medium enterprises, address skills shortages.
The particular emphasis of the Year of Skills is on lifelong learning, by fostering easier recognition of qualifications across borders, by bringing organisations and people together to share their experiences and insights, and setting out how EU initiatives and funding possibilities can help. In Ireland, the broad work of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and partners will be recognised and encompassed in the Year of Skills, with a focus on raising awareness, engagement and uptake in continuous learning for all.
Lifelong learning is measured by the participation of the adult population (25-64 year-olds) engaging in education and training in the last four weeks. Eurostat measured this in Ireland as nearly 14% in 2021. Top EU performers, Sweden and Finland, had rates of nearly 35% and 31% respectively.