New further education and training authority, SOLAS, has an important
role to play in upskilling Irish workforce – Deputy Seán Crowe

Sinn Féin’s Education Spokesperson, Deputy Seán Crowe, commenting on the
establishment of the new further education and training authority, SOLAS
(Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) said the new
organisation has real opportunity to make a break from the past and play
a vital new role in upskilling and creating new work opportunities by
educating the Irish workforce.

Deputy Crowe said: “FAS, an organisation that has played an important
role in job creation, unfortunately became mired in controversy with
highly paid officials spending public money extravagantly.

“SOLAS supposedly represents the root and branch reform of the State’s
further education and training authority and this means lessons must be
learnt from the past failings of FAS. The new training authority must
carry out its role efficiently and without the excesses of the past. It
must also be flexible and adaptable enough to meet the demands of a
changing workforce and the emphasis must be in ensuring people are given
the opportunities to learn the skills that will allow them access to
rewarding, well paid, sustainable jobs.

“The latest live register figure has been calculated at 470,284, a clear
illustration if one were needed of the challenges we face as
unemployment spirals beyond 14%.

“If SOLAs is to meet the objectives outlined in the National Skills
Strategy, and provide further education and training programmes capable
of providing jobseekers and learners the necessary skills needed for
gaining employment in Ireland’s 21st century labour market, then it
needs to be adequately funded.

“This is absolutely essential if we are to expand our labour force and
SOLAS must place a particular emphasis on ensuring apprentices are given
the opportunity to complete their training. Presently, too many young
people commit themselves to learning a trade only to be made redundant
before they are qualified leaving many demoralised, on the dole and with
no pathway open to finish their apprenticeship training.

“While welcoming any positive proposals that will  open up new training
and opportunities for job seekers this Government needs to ensure that
SOLAS makes a smooth transition to ensure that the new authority meets
the needs of learners and jobseekers that are currently in training are
met.”