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Upskilling workers for the Brexit Challenge

Tánaiste Fitzgerald and Minister Bruton host Joint Stakeholder Dialogue on Enterprise Skills Needs and Brexit

The Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald TD, along with Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD, today (Monday, 3 July 2017) host a joint stakeholder dialogue on “Enterprise Skills Needs and Brexit” in the Aviva in Dublin.

Noting that action to improve the skills base represents one of the most practical and effective domestic responses to Brexit, the Tánaiste said “Government is well prepared for the negotiations around the UK exit from the EU but we need to be ready on all fronts to deal with the implications of Brexit and the skills area is no exception. The availability of qualified people with work ready skills and talent is the leading source of competitive advantage and key to competitiveness, innovation and growth. Indeed, our ability to upskill and reskill our workforce will help both employees and firms to adapt to the challenges posed by Brexit and to thrive in the economy and society of the future”.

Minister Bruton said:

“Brexit will pose a significant challenge to both our foreign owned and domestic enterprise base. It will be our capacity to deliver talent that will keep the most ambitious companies in the world picking Ireland as a place to do business, and ensure that our own indigenous enterprises will continue to innovate, grow jobs and win new markets. Through the Action Plan for Education, which aims to make the Irish education and training service the best in Europe, we will deliver a "Step-change" in the development of critical skills, knowledge and competences. This stakeholder consultation event today builds on the sectoral dialogues that my Department has already convened with stakeholders in the Higher Education and Research, Further Education and Training and schools sectors.”

This event is part of the Government’s ongoing dialogue with stakeholders in relation to the impacts of the UK's decision to leave the EU. It provides an opportunity to hear the voices of those affected by Brexit, both directly and through representative groups.

Attendees include members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; political parties; employer and employee representative bodies; representatives from the National Skills Council and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs; a range of education and training providers; representatives from the Regional APJs and the Regional Enterprise Champions; and representatives from a range of sectors most likely to be impacted by Brexit.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

For further information contact Press Office, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Phone: 01- 6312200; email: press.office@djei.ie

Stakeholder Event

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills is hosting an All-Island sectoral dialogue on the theme of “Enterprise Skills Needs and Brexit” on 3 July 2017 in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

This event follows on from the Department’s initial stakeholder event in Carrick-on-Shannon in January and provides a valuable forum to engage with employee and employer representatives on a specific topic of concern to their memberships.

Brexit Update Service

A Government Brexit Update Service email alert, issued by the Government Information Service, is now available. This service outlines the latest Irish Government developments on the UK's decision to leave the EU. This service issues regular updates on a variety of information regarding Brexit. You can sign up to this free service by completing the contact information form here: Government Brexit updates.