Southern Regional Assembly RSES LowRes

7.1.9 | Skills and Talent As indicated in Chapter 4, the regional economy requires a consistent supply of highly skilled and resilient personnel with an extensive and adaptable talent pool to drive future enterprise development.

Technological Universities will address gaps in current regional higher education provision; help arrest the outward migration of regional talent by offering greater access to high quality university education locally, as well as strengthening the Region’s innovation capacity and capability. The RSES supports the creation of these two new universities. They will form a critical part of a network of education providers, greatly enhancing access to education across the Region, particularly in lifelong learning. The National Skills Strategy identifies that enhancing lifelong learning, especially for those in employment, is key to addressing a national performance gap. Lifelong learning participation rates in Ireland have grown strongly from the 2015 rate of 6.5% compared to 12.5% in 2018. This compares to an EU average of 11.1% in 2018. The RSES recognises that lifelong learning and access to a variety of opportunities beyond school, is increasingly important. It is also important to involve employers in the development and provision of learning to ensure its relevance to the needs of the workplace. 10% 12% 6% 7% EU 28 (2015 Annual Average) Lifelong Learning Participation Rate - 10.7%

There are immediate challenges to address short- term skills needs in support of current economic development. The three Regional Skill Fora align with the SPA areas of the Mid-West, South-East and South- West. The Regional Skills Fora have established strong relationships with employers, education providers, and Údarás na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas to become an effective means of facilitating co-ordinated responses ensuring alignment between education, training and local skills needs. The EXPLORE Programme helps improve participation in lifelong learning. They are central in improving and enhancing the talent proposition and it is essential they become a permanent part of the education and training infrastructure. Our innovation-based economy requires ongoing upskilling and talent development. The creation of two new

Explore Programme

Ireland (2015 Annual Average) Lifelong Learning Participation Rate - 6.5%

Ireland (2015 Annual Average) Lifelo g Learn ng Participation Rate - 6.5%

Ireland (2018 Annual Average) Lifelong Learning Participation Rate - 12.5%

Ireland (2018 Annual Average) Lifelo g Learn ng Participation Rate - 12.5%

BUSINESS

• Improved Productivity • Skills Development • Improved Lifelong Learning Participation • More Innovation

6% 7%

6% 7%

10.3% 14.6%

10.3% 14.6%

EU 28 (2015 Annual Average) Lifelong Learning Participation Rate - 10.7%

EU 28 (2015 Annual Average) Lifelo g Learn ng Participation Rate - 10.7%

EU 28 (2018 Annual Average) Lifelong Learning Participation Rate - 11.1%

EU 2 (2018 Annual Average) Lifelo g Learn ng Participation Rate - 11.1%

• More confidence in learning • Improved digital skills • Improved morale • Coping with change EMPLOYEE

10% 12%

10% 12%

10.1% 12.1%

10.1% 12.1%

Explore Programme

Explore Programme

• Improved Productivity • Skills Development • Improved Lifelong Learning Participation • More Innovation BUSINESS

• Improved Productivity • Skills Development • Improved Lifelong Learning Participation • More Innovation BUSINESS

Southern Regional Assembly | RSES

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