According to an OECD report, many Irish employees are in danger of slipping behind because they lack the necessary skills to succeed in their current jobs and are unprepared for changes in the workplace.
The study, which was done for the government, has shown several areas that need to be improved.
To coincide with the “Year of Skills,” an EU campaign to encourage worker reskilling and upskilling, Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science Simon Harris will present a note on the subject to Cabinet today.
The skills ecosystem in Ireland is facing “critical challenges,” according to the OECD assessment, and a “leap forward” would be required to overcome the problems.
According to the study, Irish companies are extremely concerned about skills mismatches—where a worker’s abilities are insufficient or inadequate compared to those needed for the position—as well as skills shortages in fields like management, STEM, and digital capabilities.
The OECD says that certain people, especially those with low levels of education, women, and people with disabilities, could fully use their capabilities on the job market.
The study revealed the need to enhance managerial competency in Ireland, particularly among SMEs, and suggested that workplaces should be better designed to encourage the use of workers’ abilities.
According to the OECD, Ireland’s skills system governance is complicated, underscoring the need for a coordinated, whole-of-Government approach.