Introduction

As the economic recovery gathers momentum, talent and skills are becoming more critical than ever for companies who want to compete effectively. This makes the ability of our education and training system to develop skills and nurture talent a key policy concern for business.

It is also becoming more widely recognised that effective education-business partnerships must be in place to help employers improve the skills of their workforces. Ibec's membership includes institutions from all levels of the education system. This places us in a unique position to foster deeper relationships between businesses and universities, institutes, colleges and schools.

Policy is developed in consultation with a small policy advisory group, Ibec's Labour Market and Skills Council. We aim:

To provide an informed business and employer input to the development of national education and training policies that support economic development, provide opportunities for individuals to develop their potential and support the wellbeing of society
To provide a business perspective on all stages of system from early childhood education to third and fourth level
To promote coordination and cooperation across business sectors within Ibec on education and training policy.
To improve links between the education system and enterprise
To promote closer alignment of education and training delivery between the relevant government departments, agencies and education/training providers to ensure flexible and responsive training provision.
To identify and promote policies and incentives that will encourage employers and employees to avail of the benefits of continued education and training
To support the ongoing development of a strong accreditation system that facilitates progression and ensures that upskilling is captured in a meaningful way.
To address the specific skills and training challenges facing business in the context of the current recession.

Ibec is represented on key education and training bodies and agencies in the state. The Ibec Labour Market and Skills Council is the senior standing committee on all labour market and skills issues with responsibility for critical areas and overseeing policy campaigns from school reform to apprenticeships and higher education quality.