It is broadly agreed that 65% of children who start primary school this year will start work when they finish their education in jobs that do not currently exist. That shows the level of change we are seeing. The OECD and the World Economic Forum have outlined that the average person will have ten to 15 different jobs during their working life. On foot of that, we need to be more dynamic and more adaptable than ever before in what we do in the area of training, skills and innovation systems. Eurostat figures show that in relation to tertiary education attainment, we are well above the European average and our target currently of 65% of youth between 25 and 34 years have attained educational qualifications compares to the European average of roughly 40%. That shows that there is an ability and a desire on the part of our young people to improve themselves, but what we need to do is ensure that they have the flexibility to provide that in other areas. When we look at the likes of trades and apprenticeships, we need to continue on our trajectory in making it more appealing and encouraging people to get into that area. The Minister visited the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board in Offaly on Monday. The progress that has been made there in terms of diversification and the number of different courses that have been invested in has been exceptional. It has truly made a difference to my local community. I will give the Minister one example of just transition whereby funding was made available in order to address the void left by the ESB and Bord na Móna for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, officers. The latter have done an exceptional job. Every primary school and every secondary school in Offaly now has VEX Robotics. This has created a whole new culture of STEM, led by Mr. Ray Bell and Mr. Dean Hodge. At the end of this year, however, just transition is due to conclude and the jobs of those STEM officers could potentially be in jeopardy. We cannot have that situation when we are working to innovate and looking to be dynamic and adaptable when it comes to new sectors. We need to get them up and running. We have schools that are enjoying success in competitions in the US on an annual basis. Countries are looking to us with regard to what we have done in respect of STEM education at a time when we are putting funding in jeopardy. That cannot happen. If I could ask the Minister one thing it would be to find funding for opportunities like that.

Sentiment score: 0.27