Irish enterprises want an education system that produces adaptable individuals who can think for themselves, according to business group Ibec.
In an address to a conference on training and education in Dublin today, Ibec director general Turlough O'Sullivan said that business, educationalists, government and parents have similar objectives and need to work more closely with each other to achieve these aims.
Ibec director general Turlough O'Sullivan
He told delegates the Irish education system needed to have more focus on the social, emotional, physical, aesthetic and cognitive development of a child.
"Apart from important basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills, there is a need to develop people-related skills, such as communication, interpersonal and customer service skills," he said.
Mr O'Sullivan said: "Business does not simply want to focus on creating good workers for the economy.
"What business wants is to equip individuals with the skills necessary to maximise their prospects of having fulfilling and rewarding careers. This will be a major factor in determining their quality of life."
He insisted that parents and employers wanted the same outcomes when it comes to education and training.
The one-day Does business know best?conference at the Royal College of Physicians was organised by Ibec.
