Forfás calls for workforce upskill

FORFÁS, the Government’s chief adviser on industrial strategy, warns that up to 500,000 in the workforce need better skills if the economy is to continue to succeed.

“Investment in our people and in our education system will be essential to Ireland’s growth,” said Forfás chief executive, Martin Cronin at the launch of the agency’s 2006 annual report yesterday. On bridging the education gap, Mr Cronin noted this deficit had been highlighted by the Forfás National Skills Council.

That deficit needs to be tackled without delay, he said. Of the two million plus now working in the economy 1.43 million of them will still be working in 2020, he said.