Night course enrolments up as jobs market stagnates

Life

The National Education Database has called on the Government not to allow the economic downturn to have a negative impact on education investment.

The call is underpinned by the results of a poll carried out amongst the 160,000 registered users of Nightcourses.com, which showed that 38% of people are ‘more likely’ to enrol in courses this Autumn in order to enhance their skills in the face of an economic downturn.

“At this crucial time for the Irish economy, we must not allow financial pressures to reduce our commitment to education,” said Kevin Branigan, managing director of Learning Ireland. Branigan was speaking at the launch of this year’s National Guide to Nightcourses, sold through bookstores, newsagents and retail outlets nationwide.

A recent HEA report also found that many middle class families, who are already struggling to afford a college education for their children, will be hard hit by a recession.

“All the major stakeholders – employers, employees, foreign investors, education providers, learners – appear to be in agreement with the concept of continuing to upskill the Irish labour force,” said Brannigan. “Recent statements by Government, however, have led to apparent confusion over its commitment not to reduce investment in education as part of spending cuts. The education and training sectors must receive adequate funding so that they can go about their business of helping people to ‘recession-proof’ their CVs.”

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