What can the education system offer those who find themselves jobless?

TALKBACK:THE SIGHT of hundreds of people seeking temporary positions as shop assistants over the coming Christmas season queuing for hours is a sobering sight for those of us fortunate to still have a job.

Many of these applicants hold postgraduate qualifications or have worked in professions such as architecture, prior to becoming unemployed. What can the education system offer such people and the hundreds of thousands of others who find themselves without jobs?

High levels of unemployment are inevitable for at least the next few years due to the global downturn. Until spending and confidence return, the unemployed will continue to find it impossible to secure sustainable work.

Participation in both formal and informal education can increase the skills of all those currently unemployed and those who are in employment and want to remain so, no matter what their current level of education.

We live in a highly competitive world, where billions of people are daily increasing their skills. If your basket of skills remains the same for any period of time, you are going backwards and at growing risk of unemployment. None of us can afford to allow our skills to lose their competitive edge, which is where our education system comes into play.

Many multinational companies have in-house structures to increase the skill base of their staff constantly. Other employers have long-term relationships with third-level colleges.

But many domestic Irish companies have never seen the need for, or benefits that accrue from, upskilling staff, and have suffered the consequences of this failure in loss of competitiveness and market share.

There is now a national database of all courses offered at all levels, from literacy programmes to post-doctorate qualifications, available at qualifax.ie. It will enable you to see what full- and part-time courses are available at every level.

There is also a growing level of co-ordination and referral at both national and local levels between the various State services and agencies that work with those who are currently unemployed. The Government needs to intensify the co-ordination of these services.

The public must have the information and guidance it requires to chart a route to personal self development. This will ensure the unemployed will be in a position to benefit from the recovery when it eventually arrives.

Supporting the local services of the Department of Family and Social Affairs, Fás and Local Employment Service Networks is the Adult Guidance Service (AEGI), based in VEC centres throughout the country.

This service is staffed by information officers and guidance counsellors who are qualified at postgraduate level to support adults making decisions about a possible return to education.

Unfortunately, this service is highly restricted in that it can only offer services to those are considering or participating in Adult Literacy, Vocational Training Opportunity Schemes (VTOS) and Community Education, including the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI).

All unemployed adults need to be entitled to access this service so that they can actively prepare themselves for new employment opportunities when they eventually arise.

Contact details of the services are available at ncge.ie

- Brian Mooney teaches at Oatlands College, Stillorgan, Co Dublin