Forecasting future labour force skills
The Minister says the Manpower Consultative Committee has identified current and short-term occupational shortages and begun forecasting medium- and long-term demand and supply, with ongoing consultation planned.
asked the Minister for Labour the plans, if any, being made to anticipate and meet future labour force skill requirements nationally and regionally.
Comment on this
The Manpower Consultative Committee has already identified and quantified occupations which are in short supply currently and in the short term.
At the initiative of the committee, work has also started on the preparation of medium- and long-term occupational demand and supply forecasts. I would envisage this exercise being a continuing one taking account of changing economic and labour market situations and that educational and training bodies would be consulted on the implications of the current and foreseen rapid expansion of industry and certain services.
There are also ongoing consultations between the IDA, NMS, AnCO, educational agencies and both sides of industry and it would be my hope that the Manpower Consultative Committee will strengthen and improve this consultation.