FAS was notified of almost 48,000 vacancies by employers in 1997, the highest number ever. This represents an increase of 20 per cent on 1996 and the director general of the State training agency, Mr John Lynch, predicts that the figure will exceed 50,000 in 1998.
He says that the number of vacancies has more than doubled since 1994, when the economic boom first began to translate into significant job increases. The agency has also increased the level of apprenticeship training by 60 per cent since 1994, to help meet the acute shortages in skilled manual and technical occupations.
Mr Lynch was commenting on the FAS annual report for 1997. He says that improved targeting of the long term unemployed through the Community Employment programme has also yielded significant dividends.
Specific skills training programmes have also been refocused to provide greater links between trainees and potential employees. The training should also increase the chances of less qualified people on finding jobs.
FAS has introduced additional training programmes in computer software and electronics related skills. These courses are being developed in close consultation with the computer and electronics industry.
FAS has also developed its Youthreach programme for early school leavers to ensure they have access to further education and training opportunities. Youthreach provides a one-year foundation course with the possibility of progression to further training and mainstream FAS courses.
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