Third level fees an option: O'Keeffe

[NM_123]

An accountant who needs his final exmas to become chartered shoudl retun to get his exam. Not someone who haas just become recently unemployed. The skills market wont increase any time soon, infact it will probably decrease. So it could be debated that this would indeed be a futile waste of cash time and resources. All occuring further cost on a goverment crumbling under the current financial burden.

I think you'll find that one of the reasons we are losing jobs is that they can be done more cheaply elsewhere: a corrolary of this is to develop a workforce able to do jobs that cannot be done as easily elsewhere, ones that require considerable expertise to execute. One of the main methods to achieve that is through education in 3rd level colleges.

There are further effects of returning to colleges for many apart from the main one I mentioned above. Firstly, having a goal (something to do!) removes the problems like depression etc associated with unemployment. Secondly, it increases the probability in the future that the person would be able to maintain employment, as the new skills in addition to previous ones would be advantageous. Thirdly, it keeps those involved in the teaching and admin in colleges in employment: a specific and small plus, but one less set of people left wondering where it all went wrong.

[IrishConservative]

I think you'll find that one of the reasons we are losing jobs is that they can be done more cheaply elsewhere: a corrolary of this is to develop a workforce able to do jobs that cannot be done as easily elsewhere, ones that require considerable expertise to execute. One of the main methods to achieve that is through education in 3rd level colleges..

This is a true and fair statement, but bereft of reality. What can we provide that no one else, or a limited few, can provide a truly competitive cost? The associated cost of living with the Republic of Ireland is so high that it would have to be a truly exclusive market. And if it is such an exclusive market how many people can be hired by this industry to ease any of the current employment market woes. All ready in Ireland the standard qualification for a Job in you local spar is your leaving cert. The continuing education of a work force to a higher standard will only promote too things.

1. Alienation of Educated people who feel too educated to work in admin, or in the clerical workforces. People to educate to work simple jobs regardless of the relatedness of the degree or certification to the particular job. This already exists heavily in Ireland.

2. The Immigration of the educated population to larger countries where there skill sets may actually be developed and utilised.

There is only a need for so many Doctors, Nurses, Engineers, and Teachers etc. We can’t keep providing a super trained work force if no one is going to get employed or if the employment rate is 1 in 10. This will lead to depression amongst recent graduates also.

Coincidently, The Faroe Islands currently offers free education to all citizens at any level. Currently about 1000 students every year are given grants to study in countries all over the world how ever when they return to their country the job aspects are highly contested for and many people are simply returning to work bars, clubs and shops. Or remaining in their host countries and seeking work there instead.

"Thirdly, it keeps those involved in the teaching and admin in colleges in employment: a specific and small plus, but one less set of people left wondering where it all went wrong"

I am not advocating the mass sacking of the teaching and admin staff, however in this particular instance by maintaining the current level of students in universities simply to keep them out of the Job Market is only promoting a "courses for horses" society at the cost of the government and ultimately, the tax payer.

[NM_123]

Well, we both have differing viewpoints: no doubt there will be more to say after the 7th April...