Labour Market Challenges and Solutions
On 13 October (10.30am-12.30pm) Ibec is hosting a workshop with the Department of Social Protection to discuss the labour market challenges faced by employers and the various activation programmes, employer services and subsidies available to help solve these issues.
Even prior to Covid-19 and Brexit, the Irish economy was facing challenges in the labour market due to globalisation, digitalisation, changes in consumer preferences and demographic shifts. In part due to sectoral shutdowns, changes in priorities, or challenges posed by travel restrictions, we are coming out of the pandemic faced with unprecedented challenges to society and the economy. They include changes in our workforce and the people who chose to work here, the sectors that people work in and the way in which we work, and many business models have been disrupted.
As the economy recovers, the priority will be to support people in getting back to work and businesses in reopening or getting back to full operation. Pathways to Work 2021-2025, the national employment services strategy sets out ambitions and objectives to assist in this regard. It outlines labour market activation, upskilling and reskilling programmes as well as employer subsidies to incentivise employers for hiring from the live register. Yet we know that many sectors are experiencing significant labour and skill shortages that have still to be addressed.
This event will be opened by Minister Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, and Danny McCoy, Ibec CEO. Employers will hear from a range of speakers including Siobhan Lawlor, Principal Officer at the Department of Social Protection, Andrew Brownlee, CEO of Solas; and a number of employers engaged in activation initiatives such as JobsPlus and the Work Placement Experience Programme. This will be an opportunity to understand the employer supports and services and the labour market activation programmes that are available to your organisation and how to connect with graduates of upskilling and reskilling programmes and other sources of talent.
To attend the event and tap into sources of skills and talent that you might not have previously engaged with, register here and feel free to submit your questions for our panel.
