Better integration of the ‘3Es’ can drive growth in the Western region

Fine Gael’s Seanad Spokesperson for Social Protection, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, today (Monday) highlighted the need to integrate services in the Western region in relation to the ‘3Es’, education, enterprise and employment.

“Education, enterprise and employment are so closely linked that only by dealing with them together can we create jobs and facilitate growth in the region. Education and training are vital in providing the skills which people need for employment or entrepreneurship. Enterprises depend on effective collaboration with educational institutions to drive innovation and produce skilled, qualified personnel. As Spokesperson for Social Protection, it is my intention to steer people towards the 3Es so as to enable them to leave the live register.

“I was recently briefed by the Western Development Commission on its new policy document ‘Education, Enterprise & Employment: How can better integration of the 3Es drive growth in the Western Region?’ It focuses on the need to raise education levels, strengthen enterprises and generate employment in the Western Region through a more ‘joined up’ approach to dealing with the 3Es. An integrated approach to the 3Es is needed to help develop policy for these areas and in the delivery of public services. This is a challenge for each of us in the western counties, including Galway.

“The WDC has recommended five specific proposals which, it believes will achieve greater integration among the 3Es and help maximise the impact of existing public resources:

· Identify and respond to short and long term regional skills needs by establishing regional workforce development fora to determine skills needs and propose how they can be met regionally;

· Broker relations between higher education and enterprise by providing a single point of contact to help businesses work more productively with higher education institutions;

· Address the specific issues of jobseekers in smaller centres and rural areas by supporting access to education and work placements, re-skilling young men who have lost jobs in construction and supporting local ‘learning mentors’ to advise and support jobseekers who are returning to education;

· Make access to enterprise support easier through a regional cross-referral system among enterprise support agencies to ensure entrepreneurs are ‘always at the right door’;

· Encourage job creation by actively developing the region’s growth sectors, supporting local businesses, improving access to finance, investing in critical infrastructure and supporting sales and marketing activities.

“These proposals make complete sense and are consistent with government policy. However, the challenge for all of us is to action these proposals. It should be the focus of each third level institute and enterprise to proof their activity for the 3Es.

“Implementation of these proposals will help to develop the Western Region’s growth sectors which include medical device production, ICT, renewable energy, tourism, creative industries, food and caring. To set up or expand in the region, enterprises in these sectors need access to the right mix of skills. At the same time, acquiring such skills will make it easier for jobseekers and new graduates to find employment or set up their own business in the Western Region.

“I am facilitating a presentation of the findings and recommendations by the WDC to western Oireachtas members in Leinster House on 21st September. The fourth WDC Policy Briefing is available for download on www.wdc.ie/publications/reports-and-papers/reports-2011/.”