Reports by Year

2007 Reports
2006 Reports
2005 Reports
2004 Reports
2003 Reports
2002 Reports
2001 Reports
1998-2000

Some documents are available as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. Free software is available to view these.

EGFSN Reports

2008

National Skills Bulletin (November 2008): The National Skills Bulletin provides a detailed overview of the Irish labour market. It is based on the research conducted by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit of FÁS on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. PDF Report [2.97 MB]

All-Island Skills Study (October 2008): Recognising that a skilled workforce will be a key resource for a more prosperous all-island economy, both Governments, North and South, agreed to work together to ensure that the required skills are in place to encourage sustained growth. As a first step, the two skills expert groups established North and South, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and the Northern Ireland Skills Expert Group, have worked together to produce this first All-Island Skills Study. It provides, for the first time, a comprehensive all-island analysis of skills demand. The study was launched at the first All-Island Skills Conference, Building Better Skills Together, is taking place in the Millennium Forum, Derry, Co. Londonderry, on 9th October 2008.

The study demonstrates that the improvement in the all-island skills base over the last decade has been a major contribution to all-island economic and employment growth in terms of its impact on productivity and competitiveness. Skills enhance labour productivity, bolster entrepreneurial capacity and act as a magnet for attracting high-quality inward investment. Going forward the study highlights that skills development will become even more important to all-island economic development. This is against a background of an increasingly competitive global environment where other economies are also rapidly upskilling their workforce.

The report is broken up into sections due to it's large size. Table of Contents [76Kb] Foreword and Executive Summary [748Kb] Chapter 1 - Introduction and Background [284Kb] Chapter 2 - Economic Context [1.08Mb] Chapter 3 - Labour Market and Skills Context [952Kb] Chapter 4 - Demand for Skills [2.56Mb] Annex A - Technical Data Matching [972Kb] Annex B - Notes to Charts and Tables [268Kb] Annex C - Sources on Vacancies, Skills Shortages, Labour Shortages Gaps and Utilisation of Skills [92Kb] Annex D - Existing Skills Forecasting Research and Explanation of Replacement Demand [132Kb] Annex E - Bibliography [120Kb] Annex F - Glossary of Acronyms [36Kb] Annex G - EGFSN Membership [80Kb] Annex H - Northern Ireland Skills Expert Group Membership [36Kb] Annex I - Steering Group Membership [132Kb]
Press Release:Central Role Of Skills Highlighted at First All-Island Skills Conference (opens in DETE website)
Speech by the newly appointed Northern Ireland Advisor on Employment and Skills, Bill McGinnis, and Anne Heraty, Chair, Expert Group on Future Skills Needs at the All-Island Skills Conference; You can also download the full report below, however, please note the file size is very large.
All-Island Skills Study - Full Report [8.3Mb]

Presentations from the All Island Skills Conference: The first All-Island Skills Conference - Building Better Skills Together - took place at the Millennium Forum, Derry, Co. Londonderry on 9th October 2008. Presentations from the conference are available to download below. Professor Bernie Hannigan and Paul Hannigan, President of Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Dr Bill McGinnis, Northern Ireland Advisor on Employment and Skills and Anne Heraty, Chair of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. John Martin, Director for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD. John Spangler, Chairman of the North West Workforce Development Forum. Michael Carr, Co-ordinator of the EURES crossborder partnership for Northern Ireland.

Statement of Activity 2007 (June 2008): This statement provides details of the Expert Group’s reports for 2007, changes to the Group’s membership, and information on the Group secretariat and resources. PDF Report [232Kb]

Future Requirement for High-Level ICT Skills in the ICT Sector (June 2008): The aim of the report is to determine the future requirement for high-level ICT skills in the ICT sector in Ireland and to identify what proactive actions need to be taken to ensure that the supply of these skills is sufficient - in terms of quantity, quality and diversity. The ICT sector is of vital strategic importance to Ireland in terms of sales, exports, jobs and inward investment. PDF Report [1.26Mb]

Future Skills Needs of the Irish Medical Devices Sector (February 2008): This Report examines the main trends and drivers of change in the medical devices sector in Ireland and assesses the skills requirements at all levels to 2013. It recommends a number of actions to ensure that the sector is equipped with the right level of skills and expertise to ensure continued success. PDF Report [732Kb]

2007

Survey of Selected Multi-National Employers’ Perceptions of Certain Graduates from Irish Higher Education (December 2007): This report provides feedback on the suitability of employment of Irish graduates, looking specifically at the disciplinary groups of Science, Engineering, Business and Finance and Humanities, and comparing them to their international counterparts. PDF Report [888Kb]

The Future Skills and Research Needs of the International Financial Services Industry (December 2007): The Future Skills and Research Needs of the International Financial Services Industry outlines Ireland's current and future skills requirements in relation to the international financial services industry. The report also identifies the need to enhance provision of these skills and the importance of improving Ireland's research capacity in the area of financial services. PDF Report [1.57 MB]

National Skills Bulletin (October 2007): The National Skills Bulletin provides a detailed overview of the Irish labour market. It is based on the research conducted by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit of FÁS on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. PDF Report [1.84 MB]

Monitoring Ireland’s Skills Supply: Trends in Education/Training Outputs (June 2007): ‘Monitoring Ireland’s Skills Supply: Trends in Education/Training Output 2006’ is the second in a series of annual reports produced by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit of FÁS, on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. The objective of this series of reports is to provide an indication of the supply of skills to the Irish labour market from the formal education and training system.PDF Report (PDF, 98 pages, 1.54MB)

Tomorrow's Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy (March 2007): In September 2005, the Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment (DETE) requested the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) to undertake research to underpin the development of a National Skills Strategy including the identification of the skills required for Ireland to develop over the period to 2020 as a competitive, innovation-driven, knowledge-based, participative and inclusive economy. In response, the EGFSN carried out a detailed programme of research, the results of which are presented in this document. Read Tomorrow's Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy online PDF Report (PDF, 136 pages, 1.4MB) PDF Press Release (PDF, 3 pages, 177KB)

2006

National Skills Bulletin (7th December 2006): The National Skills Bulletin, provides a detailed overview of the Irish labour market. It is based on the research conducted by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit of FÁS on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. PDF Report [694KB]
National Skills Conference: The Skills Needs of the Irish Economy to 2020 (26th October 2006): The conference was organised by Forfás on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, with the support of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Education and Science, FÁS and the Higher Education Authority. The theme of the Conference was meeting the skills needs of a competitive, knowledge-based, participative and inclusive Irish economy over the period to 2020. Ireland´s Future Skills Needs to 2020 (PDF, 492KB) Skills Challenges Threatening U.S. Competitiveness in the Global Economy (PDF, 123KB) The Role of Education and Training in Building International Competitiveness (PDF, 144KB) Economic Context for Skills Development (PDF, 110KB) Reflections Paper (PDF, 60KB)
International Digital Media Industry: Implications for Ireland (Source: EGFSN, 31 July 2006): This report profiles the skill requirements of some of the world´s leading Digital Media firms. It details the skills required in key occupational roles across seven sub-sectors of the industry. These findings will help education and training providers in Ireland keep their curricula and programmes up-to-date with developments in the industry and thereby maximise employment opportunities for their graduates. This report will also serve as a resource for Irish firms in the industry. By identifying the skills requirements of leading international firms, the EGFSN is setting out a skills road-map for them.PDF Report [930KB]
Careers Information and Labour Market Information in Ireland Report (Source: EGFSN, 11 July 2006): This report examines the awareness and use of existing careers and labour market information. It also provides a matrix analysis of information and self-assessment resources currently available in Ireland. To improve use of these resources, the report recommends the establishment of a central portal site. This, combined with making the information obtained via this site more accessible and user-friendly, should be of practical benefit to all potential users, from students in schools and at third-level to adults in various stages of transition in their careers.PDF Report [397KB]
Skills at Regional Level in Ireland (Source: EGFSN, 25 May 2006): This study looks at the regional distribution of skills and employment in six key sectors in Ireland. It traces the historical development of this employment profile and considers the future role of skills in contributing to regionally balanced economic growth and development.PDF Report [1MB]
SME Management Development in Ireland (Source: EGFSN, 12 May 2006): The availability of management talent and skills will have a large impact on Ireland’s enterprise development, according to this report published by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs in association with Enterprise Ireland and FÁS. The report looks at the skills of managers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland and makes recommendations on necessary actions to ensure that key skills are developed for the future.PDF Report [1.5MB]
Monitoring Ireland´s Skills Supply: Trends in Education ⁄ Training Outputs (Source: EGFSN, 2006): The Monitoring Ireland´s Skills Supply Report, is the first in a series to be published annually, and provides a detailed overview of the trends in Ireland´s education and training output. It is based on the research conducted by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit of FÁS on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.PDF Report [700KB]

2005

Data Analysis of In-Employment Education and Training in Ireland (December 2005): The study analyses the data currently available in regard to participation in education and training by those in employment in Ireland. The study covers both public and private expenditure, provides an international comparative perspective on in-employment education and training and indicates where gaps exist in the current availability of relevant dataPDF Report [557KB]
The National Skills Bulletin (October 2005): The National Skills Bulletin, the first in a series to be published annually, provides a detailed overview of the Irish labour market. It is based on the research conducted by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit of FÁS on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.PDF Press Release [30KB] PDF Report [555KB]
Skills Needs in the Irish Economy: The Role of Migration (October 2005): This report assesses skills needs across a range of occupations and sectors in Ireland and highlights current and future skills shortages. The report examines the likelihood of skills and labour gaps being filled from within the EEA region and makes recommendations on managed economic migration policies.PDF Press Release [37KB] PDF Report [640KB]
Languages & Enterprise (June 2005): Foreign language skills will be important to the successful future development of enterprise in Ireland, with any deficit in this area resulting in firms failing to achieve their full potential.PDF Press Release [26KB] PDF Report [570KB]
Skills Requirements of the Digital Content Industry in Ireland: Phase 1 (Source: FÁS, 2005): This study assesses the skills requirements of the nascent digital content industry, in Ireland in the light of the current level of skills provision from the education and training system. It pays particular attention to the Games, eLearning and Wireless/Mobile sectors, which were identified as offering significant growth potential for Ireland by an earlier Forfás report.
PDF Report [627KB]

2004

Innovate Market Sell — Review of the Sales, Marketing and Innovation Capabilities of Irish Exporting SMEs (November 2004): Enhancing innovation, marketing and sales capabilities will be critical for the future success of Irish exporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Equally important will be the development of the inter-relationship between the three functions.PDF Press Release [60KB] PDF Report [516KB]
A Model to Predict the Supply and Demand for Researchers and Research Personnel in Line with Ireland's Strategy for Contributing to the European Research Area 3% Initiative (September 2004): A study on the future supply and demand for researchers and research personnel in Ireland.PDF Press Release [23KB] PDF Report [456KB]
Submission to the Your Education System Review (August 2004): A submission by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs to the Minister for Education and Science as input to the Your Education System (YES) Review. This wide-ranging review of the educational system was launched in Jan. 2004 and will continue throughout most of 2004. This document comments on several aspects of the education system and highlights crucial issues for the enterprise sector in the future.PDF Report [85KB]
Literature Review on Aspects of Training of those at Work in Ireland (June 2004): This report was commissioned in 2003 by FÁS, on behalf of National Training Advisory Committee, in an attempt to provide a synthesis of the major findings of the numerous reports which have been written in relation to training of the employed in Ireland over the last 10 years.PDF Report [174KB]MS Word Report [300KB]
Submission to the Forum on the Workplace of the Future (February 2004): A submission by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs to the National Centre for Partnership and Performance as a contribution to the Forum on the Workplace of the Future. The Forum was convened in Oct. 2003 to host a 12-month discussion on how to enable Ireland to make a successful transition to a dynamic, competitive knowledge-based economy. This document outlines the Expert Group's views on the major issues that must be addressed in order to achieve this objective. PDF Report [152KB]
Submission by EGFSN to the OECD Review of Higher Education in Ireland (February 2004): A submission by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs to the year-long review of higher education in Ireland by the OECD, commissioned by the Minister for Science and Education in August 2003. The submission sets out a number of objectives for higher education and highlights a number of important issues which have emerged from primary research by the Expert Group.PDF Report [48KB]

2003

Financial Skills Monitoring Report (November 2003): This study provides a review of the demand and supply for financial skills over the period 2003-2010. It provides forecasts for the recruitment demand across ten selected financial occupations, including both the expansion and replacement components. It also examines the provision of skills associated with the selected occupations and discusses shortfalls in these skills. It also puts forward recommendations for future policy formulation in this area.PDF Report [674KB]
The Fourth Report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (October 2003): This report provides an overview of the current labour market and reviews the future skills requirements of seven key sectors of the Irish economy. It focuses on areas of high added-value, such as ICT; biotechnology; financial services and food processing. It also highlights the importance of generic skills for future enterprise. PDF Press Release [28KB] PDF Report [440KB]
The Supply and Demand for Skills in the Biotechnology Sector (September 2003): This report assesses the future potential of the biotechnology sector in Ireland and quantifies the levels of skills that would be required to realise this growth. It also assesses successful biotechnology clusters around the world, and analyses the decline in the supply of science skills in Ireland from sub-degree level to Ph.D. in recent years.PDF Press Release [96KB] PDF Report [772KB]
Benchmarking – Education & Training for Development in Ireland (July 2003): This report brings together national and international data, from a variety of sources, in order to benchmark and assess the performance of the Irish educational and training systems vis-à-vis other, competitor countries.PDF Report [432KB]
National Training Advisory Committee Report 2002 (July 2003): This report provides an overview of the activities of the NTAC during 2002 and reports on the income and expenditure under the National Training Fund during the year. It identifies the priority issues in relation to in-company training for 2003-2006. PDF Report [86KB]MS Word Report [247KB]
Construction Industry Skills Monitoring Report (July 2003): This report provides a detailed analysis of the factors which will influence the level of construction activity and, consequently employment, over the periods 2003-2006 and 2007-2010 respectively. It also contains a detailed analysis of the demand for and supply of 24 specific construction occupations over the two forecast periods, and advances recommendations on how skills deficits or excesses might be addressed. PDF Press Release [7KB] PDF Report [664KB]
The Demand and Supply of Engineers and Engineering Technicians (June 2003): This report examines how the future supply of engineers and engineering technicians in Ireland will match the requirements of industry and public bodies. Its recommendations focus on boosting the numbers graduating in engineering from Irish education institutions.PDF Press Release [68KB]PDF Report [4.4MB]
The Demand and Supply of Skills in the Food Processing Sector (April 2003): This report examines the type of skills required to meet the future needs of the food processing sector as a whole, and those of its sub-sectors. It recommends a national policy framework for the development and implementation of a Human Resource Development Strategy for the food processing industry.PDF Report [968KB]
National Survey of Vacancies in the Public Sector 2001/2002 (March 2003): This report outlines the skills deficit in various sub-sectors of the public sector and identifies those sectors that are experiencing difficult-to-fill positions and are obliged to recruit internationally. It also provides an overview of the differences between vacancies within the public and private sectors.MS Word Press Release [44KB]PDF Report [684KB]
National Survey of Vacancies in the Private Non-Agricultural Sector 2001/2002 (March 2003): This report analyses the changes in the private labour market since the last survey was undertaken in 1999/00. It details the extent and nature of vacancies by sector and by occupation and pinpoints the areas where vacancies have either increased or decreased.MS Word Press Release [44KB]PDF Report [1.1MB]

2002

The Irish Labour Market: Prospects for 2002 and Beyond (January 2002): This report provides an outlook for the Irish labour market in the wake of the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. It analyses both the short and medium term prospects up to the year 2007. It also highlights priorities and intervention strategies which government and social partners must take on board to address the slowdown in the economy.PDF Report [376KB]

2001

Labour Participation Rates of the over 55’s in Ireland (December 2001): This report examines the labour market participation of people aged 55 or over in Ireland, identifies factors affecting their participation rate and makes recommendations on how to increase their presence in the workforce without compromising other social or economic objectives.PDF Report [520KB]
Third Skills Report (August 2001): This report provides an overview of the prevailing labour market and assesses its short-term outlook. It also provides an analysis of skill requirements in the key sectors of IT, Researchers, Life Sciences and Construction.MS Word Press Release 1 [32KB]MS Word Press Release 2 [28KB]MS Word Press Release 3 [32KB]PDF Report [836KB]
Older People's Preferences for Employment and Retirement in Ireland (May 2001): This report presents findings from a telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 55-69 year olds in Ireland, which was carried out in the period February-May 2001. The purpose of the survey was to examine older people's preferences, attitudes and experiences regarding work and retirement.PDF Report [136KB]
Benchmarking Mechanisms and Strategies to Attract Researchers to Ireland (July 2001): This report investigates mechanisms that government and universities could employ in order to attract world-class graduate and post-doctoral researchers to Ireland, to complement the public investment in science under the NDP.PDF Report [208KB]
NCAOP Conference – Employment and Retirement among the Over 55’s (December 2001): This report provides an insight into the participation of the over 55’s in the Irish workforce, their preferences for employment and retirement, and highlights European initiatives as well as recent developments in Ireland in relation to age discrimination, pension provision and lifelong learning initiatives.PDF Report [324KB]

1998-2000

Report on e-Business Skills (August 2000): This report presents the findings of research into e-Business skills and specifies the type of skills that should be fostered in education and training, through direct consultation with industry, to create an adequately skilled workforce.PDF Report [268KB]
Report on In-Company Training (August 2000): This report outlines the findings of a series of in-depth interviews with 40 companies which sought to identify the barriers to training in the workplace. It put forward recommendations for promoting in-company training, with a particular focus on SMEs and companies operating in the construction and traditional manufacturing sectors.PDF Report [136KB]
Business Education and Training Partnership 2nd Forum, Dublin (March 2000): This report describes how the recommendations arising from the First Report by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs have been implemented in the IT sector. It also outlines the findings of the Expert Group on research skills availability, and records the contributions from business and academia on the future development of Ireland’s skills base.PDF Report [228KB]
Second Report (March 2000): This report analyses overall labour availability, with specific regard for the Construction, Chemical and Biological Sciences, Researchers, and IT sectors.PDF Report [764KB]
First Report (December 1998): This report analyses potential skills shortages in the IT sector and advises on building partnerships between the business and education/training sectors to ensure that the future skills needs of the business sector will be met.PDF Report [244KB]

Contents

Reports by Year

EGFSN Reports