ADVICE CENTRE:Events of the past year have fundamentally changed how the world economy operates and will lead to major changes in employment opportunities both in the short and medium term.

How the public perceive these changes, and particularly those currently considering educational and training options for the coming academic year, will have a profound effect on the demand for places on all programmes offered both in Ireland and throughout the world. These changes will lead to increases in the demand for particular courses and decline in the demand for others.

Demand increased substantially for places on all teacher training courses, with all the associated security associated with such posts, and decreased by even greater levels for any programme associated with the building and construction industry.

What will this mean for those considering their educational options in 2009? If the 2008 pattern is repeated, then we will see a major increase in interest in those course leading to careers in the public service, or to other areas that appear to offer long-term employment security.

What are the areas that will experience the greatest downturn in interest?

The construction industry is supported by a wide range of disciplines - civil engineering, surveying, architecture, architecture technology, planning, valuation, construction management, auctioneering, and property management.

The fitting-out of property has created opportunities for those in the interior design colleges, and for those involved in the design and manufacture of furniture and fittings.

The purchase and sale of property provides the core of the income stream for most solicitors, and following on from the loss of income may lead to a decrease in interest in law degree programmes.

The expectation of severe cutbacks in government expenditure in the years ahead may consolidate the view that career opportunities in the health sector will be severely limited. This may lead to a fall-off in demand for courses such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and radiography. It may even lead to a fall-off in demand for places in nursing.

What areas are likely to attract greater interest in the current environment?

Many students may choose to apply for an arts degree in 2009, as a good holding operation, given that it will not commit them to any particular career direction for a further three years. Whatever happens in the world and domestic economies, we will always need social-science graduates to manage our social service, as we will need teachers to teach in our schools and colleges. We will need graduates in IT, science and engineering to operate our high-tech industries that are still very strong employers of Irish graduates.

As the developing world increases in wealth, the demand for high-quality food products should provide a strong platform for those interested in the agriculture and food industries and in educational programmes that lead to careers in these fields.

Given the huge potential that the ongoing development of countries such as China and India offer, business courses that lead to careers which will service these growing markets should remain in strong demand in the years ahead.

TALK BACK...

It is in the long-term interest to both society in general and to those considering their education options in the coming months, that those starting out on their career journey make their choices based on aptitude, interest and ability, and not on current fears driven by short term labour market considerations. It is up to government to create the conditions whereby parents and young people can consider positively career options which are currently getting negative media coverage.

It is up to government to indicate that, despite cutbacks over the next few years, they are fully committed to rolling out the infrastructure development on which our long-term development depends. It would be a disaster for the Irish economy, if when the recession lifts in two to three years, we didn't have the qualified graduates in the disciplines necessary, to take advantage of the return to growth, because the government failed to instill confidence in our people that by accepting the challenges that lie ahead, and working together to overcome them, we can and will return to the growth we have become used to.

As with the recently averted run on deposits, resolved when the Government stepped in and guaranteed all deposits up to €100,000, the Government now needs to step in and emphasise its belief in the long-term potential of our economy and society. If it does this successfully, the educational and career choices of our young people may be driven not by short- term considerations, but will hopefully be based on their career interests, aptitudes and examination results. If they fail to instil confidence, we will unfortunately see the educational and training options of our young people, be driven by fear and uncertainty in the years ahead.

• You can talk back to Brian Mooney at bmooney@irish-times.ie