Some 71,843 people have already submitted CAO applications so far this year, while the number of applications from mature students – those aged 23 and over – has shot up by 26 per cent.

According to the Irish Independent, the Department of Education  expects the number of mature students in third level education continue its rise from its current level of 13 per cent to 19 per cent by 2016.

Speaking to the newspaper, Denis Staunton, director of access at University College Cork, said people are looking to increase their qualifications.

”
Earlier this year, it was reported that a growing number of people in their 30s are signing up to online Fás training programmes

Mairead Griffin, Career Coach, Career Mentors http://www.careermentors.ie, Phone 01-2160880

Suggest http://www.facebook.com/careermentors to FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK! ]]> http://careermentors.ie/blog/2010/04/14/increased-numbers-returning-to-college-to-improve-job-prospects/feed/ 0 http://careermentors.ie/blog/2009/11/25/things-to-consider-before-investing-in-further-education/ http://careermentors.ie/blog/2009/11/25/things-to-consider-before-investing-in-further-education/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:51:27 +0000 admin http://careermentors.ie/blog/2009/11/25/things-to-consider-before-investing-in-further-education/ Why am I pursuing this course – is it to make myself more employable, I’m interested in the topic, I want to be financially better off? It’s vital that you are clear what you want to get out of further education

Is the course recognised by the affiliated body?

Do myself or my friends know of anyone who has completed this course?

Will I be able to support myself financially while pursuing a course?

Can you pay for the course in installments?

Should I complete a short / night course before investing in a full qualification – one in four students typically drop out of college so it’s important everything is considered

What are the job prospects on completion?

Read more………

Do I have the employment statistics of recent graduates?

Will I have to pursue further education to qualify further and make myself employable?

Do I have the time that’s needed to do coursework, attend lectures and study for exams?

Does my employer provide study leave?

Would my employer support me financially? What happens if I leave my job or get made redundant?

 What sector is a good one to target when job searching or upskilling?

• IT Services/Computer Software/Hardware
• Accounting and Auditing
•  Innovation and Intellectual Property Related Enterprises
• Green Sector Jobs
• Business Services
• Medical/Health

Most of the job search engines, career sites and economists agree that the top growth industries include:

1. IT Services/Computer Software/Hardware
ICT is a key growth sector for Ireland and the availability of highly skilled IT professionals here has attracted many high profile companies that continue to reinvest. In addition, the IT outsourcing market could boom as employers increasingly look to third-party providers in order to cut costs.

2. Accounting and Auditing
There is still some demand for qualified and part qualified accountants when all eyes are on the books at the moment. There is steady demand for compliance and risk professionals. Qualified and newly qualified accountants are required within the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and energy industries, as are candidates with insolvency and forensics experience.

Read More

3. Innovation and Intellectual Property Related Enterprises
Even in an economic downturn, businesses that are focused on innovation and niche product development can continue to grow. The introduction by the Government of a new tax relief on capital expenditure incurred in the acquisition of intellectual property (IP) should act as a catalyst to attract further inward investment into Ireland and ultimately lead to the creation of new jobs.

4. Green Sector Jobs
Employment in green sectors is on the rise according to recruitment agencies. Jobs in green areas such as renewable energy, environmental and energy-efficient technologies are forecast to continue to increase. Indeed, a joint report recently published by Forfás and Inter Trade Ireland showed that the environmental sector has the potential to become a valuable component of long-term economic development in Ireland. The creation of more and more companies in the green sector, such as wind farms and waste-water specialists has led to a strong demand for energy consultants and electric engineers.  We are also likely to see a massive demand for qualifications in environmental biology, renewable and electrical energy systems, environmental management and specialist fields within science and engineering. What’s more, companies involved in the production of environmental goods and services need all the other traditional supporting business functions such as finance, HR and marketing.

5. Business Services
During the recent months of relentlessly bad economic news it is notable that inward investment (through the IDA pipeline) has continued. Indeed the latest Services Trade statistics released by the Central Statistics Office show that Services exports were up by 3% valued at €67.59 billion. The rapid emergence of internationally traded services (e.g. computer and information services and insurance services) reflects the growing importance of our knowledge based industries. There is a huge potential for a wide range of indigenous companies to join multi-nationals in exporting services from Ireland. This will be fuelled, in no small part, by the availability of an educated, young and linguistically diverse workforce.

6. Medical/Health
The medical recruitment industry is not reporting the same dismal problems seen in some sections of the recruitment industry. Because of the aging baby boomer population, many companies and organisations related to health care and other needs of the elderly are in a good position to weather the recession. While nursing is going through a difficult time in terms of recruitment, the increase in the number of private healthcare providers should see prospects look up in the medium term.

The pharmaceutical industry is in a good position to see out the recession; people will always need medical care ensuring a continued demand for research, development and production of new drugs. Medical sales jobs offer opportunities at the moment while medicine and dentistry tend to be careers in which people can prosper despite general economic difficulties

Courtesy of supportingcareers.ie

Industrial Development Authority

Industrial Development Authority

In the current economic climate, it is vital that individuals from all backgrounds are thinking strategically about their careers. Up-skilling or retraining is key for future career success. Whether you are in employment or actively seeking new employment or a change of career direction, further education & development something that will impress any current or potential employer

Why up-skill?

• Up-skilling or re-skilling will enhance your CV and make you a lot more marketable
• It sends out the right message to current or prospective employers that you are someone who is taking control of your career
• It shows employers that you have the drive and determination to achieve your career goals.
• It makes you more valuable to your current employers, and in the event of downsizing it is less likely you will be considered.
• Keeps you up to date with developments in your field and demonstrates to employers that you are committed to Continuing Professional Development

Why retrain?

• Nowadays it is much easier for you to retrain using online learning or distance learning courses.
• Those who think strategically and consider the developing industries. If you are an individual who is considering a total change of direction, now is your opportunity to do so
• The Government and IDA are focused on creating high value skilled jobs. By thinking long term when selecting what course to pursue, you are equipping yourself with the tools to be successful in the future.
• In the current economic climate people are taking the opportunity to return to college and retrain. It’s important not to be left behind

What role do employers have in up-skilling?

• Employers have a key role to play when it comes to supporting those who want to pursue further education or develop new skills.
• Retraining of staff should not be considered as a cost, but more as an investment. It increases the long term business success and it keeps organisations in touch with recent developments.
• In times of economic gloom up-skilling keeps staff motivated and can improve morale and retention.
• Top talent in any organisation needs to feel stretched, so it’s vital that employers invest in their future.

Nowadays, people are living longer. Two thirds of the country will still be in full time employment by 2020. Now is the time to react to this fact. China and India are producing more and more highly skilled labour and this is putting us in Ireland at risk.

Ireland needs to remain competitive and everyone has to take ownership. Up-skilling is the responsibility of the Government, Universities, individuals and the business world

Mairead Griffin FCIPD
Career Coach and Outplacement Specialist
Career Mentors
http://www.careermentors.ie/