100,000 foreign graduates needed to fill jobs

MORE THAN 100,000 foreign graduates will be needed to fill jobs here in the next six years, according to a report published yesterday.

The occupational employment forecast report for 2010 from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and FÁS said more workers with Third Level qualifications will be needed because of a falling younger population and rising retirements and deaths.

While further retraining and lifelong learning initiatives are expected and more people may return to work, ESRI and FÁS believe these factors will not be enough to meet the shortfall.