Clear policies on immigration, education and training hold the key to the future of the Irish economy, the Taoiseach has said. AS Opportunities 2001 careers fair in the RDS on Saturday, said that of the 350,000 new jobs that are expected be created over the next five years, about 200,000 would have to be filled by workers from overseas.
Mr Ahern said 200,000 of the 350,000 new jobs expected in the next five years would be filled from overseas.
At the FAS Opportunities 2001 jobs fair, he said: "We should perhaps take more pride in the fact that we have reached a stage in our economic development where we can benefit increasingly from the experience and skills of so many non-nationals."
It was crucial to discourage young people from leaving school early, Mr Ahern added.
"We need to encourage young people to stick with school and not be distracted by the short-term benefits of part-time work or the lure of full-time jobs because it works against them over their life cycle."
More than 100,000 people were expected to attend the four-day fair at the RDS, which closes tomorrow. That includes about 40,000 Leaving Certificate students from around the State expected today and tomorrow.
Employers exhibiting at the fair wanted to fill over 50,000 jobs, according to its director, Mr Greg Craig.
He said the abundance of jobs available was in marked contrast to the earliest days of the fair, seven years ago, when the unemployment rate was about 15 per cent. "We've obviously arrived to the stage now where people are going to come here over the weekend and cut deals and cut jobs, and get good terms and conditions and that's wonderful."
Citing the experience of FAS at overseas recruitment fairs, Mr Craig said Irish wage rates were as good as anywhere else in Europe, and in some cases better.
Employers, universities, institutes of technology and other colleges from Ireland and Britain had stands at the fair.
The "skills village" featured information and practical demonstrations of FAS training courses throughout the State.
There was a live Web broadcast of the show with live pictures from seminars at the fair. Applicants can register on the site at www.jobsireland.com/opportunities2001.
