Graduates lack relevant skills

A skills survey carried out for the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) found that 46 per cent of businesses employing third-level graduates felt they were lacking in relevant experience, the CCI annual conference was told in Waterford yesterday.

Mr Tom Clarke, the incoming president, told the conference the survey also found that only 37 per cent of businesses had a staff training budget. More than a third of senior staff in Irish firms did not receive any form of training in the last 12 months.

Mr Clarke said business must play its part in bringing about the move to an information-based or learning society. He called for a comprehensive review of education policy.

He called for the increased use of computers in students' lives and for colleges to open at times more suitable to business. In turn, he said, business should be prepared to increase training budgets and recognise that training is not a cost but an essential investment.

The CCI noted with deep concern the recommendation from the ESRI that state supports for in-house training should be phased out, Mr Clarke said. He also called on the Government to make trade over the Internet "duty-free".