Teachers' union calls for reform of training schemes

A RADICAL overhaul of vocational training including schemes run by the State training agency Fás, has been advocated by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI).

Currently further, higher and adult education are the responsibility of the Department of Education and Science while the State training authority Fás reports to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

According to the TUI, the division leads to “duplication and inefficiency” which does not serve the interests of either the taxpayer or the service-users.

According to TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin bringing planning, management and delivery of education and training together, in a restructured Department of Education and Science, would help the Government schemes to deliver employment to be more effective.

TUI said the proposal would achieve more effective service for learners and trainees as well as more education and training places for people who have become unemployed.

“We now have 400,000 people unemployed. We need a one-stop-shop system whereby all options for both education and training are made readily accessible to people.

“The current networks of vocational education committees and institutes of technology are perfectly placed to deliver such a nationwide service,” said Mr MacMenamin.