25. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to develop co-operation and relationships between third level institutions and industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56041/25]
Sentiment score: 0.13
I thank the Minister. He certainly seems well aware of the importance of the third level link with industry so he has certainly answered my first question. I want to make another couple of points. I have seen examples over the years where third level institutes have linked in with industry. This has worked really well. It also offers graduates employment opportunities in industries located close to their colleges. This is especially true in the areas of technology, science and engineering. As well as benefiting graduates in the institutions, it also means the industries are more embedded in the area. Both the third level institutions and the industry feed off each other and offer huge benefits to both sides. I ask the Minister to do everything in his power to develop these relationships.
Sentiment score: 0.33
8. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role of the ETBs in higher education, and where they sit in the education hierarchy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56040/25]
Sentiment score: 0.13
The education and training boards, ETBs, offer many different post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses that often lead into third level education. In many cases these courses are suitable for leaving certificate students. What is the role of the ETBs in higher education and where they sit in the education hierarchy?
Sentiment score: 0.00
I ask that all ETB schools promote these courses within their schools, but also that the ETB colleges and courses are promoted within non-ETB schools. The ETBs also offer apprenticeships. Could relevant funding be allocated to promote these apprenticeship courses? The apprenticeships have been encouraged and have grown since the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, was Minister for higher education. Our leaving certificate is very academic orientated, and it is not suitable for everyone. School leavers who do not wish to pursue the CAO route need to be considered. Not everyone wants a college degree. On the other hand, as the Minister said, many ETBs offer tertiary courses that offer an entry to third level college, giving a new pathway to degree courses in many fields. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who are determined to go to third level, but who did not get the required CAO points for the course they wanted. These opportunities need to be promoted more.
Sentiment score: 0.30
ETB courses are by and large free or very low cost. ETBs offer a range of short courses along with longer duration courses. Are these courses achieving their aim? What is the workforce-entry success for people who do these courses? Are the short-term courses achieving their aim or are they just being done as a tick-box exercise by people who are unemployed? Are they contributing to these people entering the labour market or following on to some apprenticeship or PLC course? In the area of disability, Ireland has the lowest labour participation rate in Europe. I understand some ETBs offer work-ready courses. Can the ETB play a bigger role in improving labour participation rate within the disability sector? How closely aligned are the ETBs to industry? Can they build closer relationships with industry, as discussed earlier, and plan their training programmes to align with industry needs? This is a dynamic situation and should be kept under constant review. Regarding transport, can students access these courses and are transport links being developed?
Sentiment score: 0.11