Upskilling and education key to getting work, says Hanafin
Saturday September 05 2009
THERE are "plenty of opportunities for those losing their jobs" through upskilling and education, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs said yesterday.
Speaking at the launch of a new profiling report -- which shows that those with low levels of education or problems with literacy and numeracy are more likely to be trapped in long-term unemployment -- Mary Hanafin said that education courses had been expanded to help deal with the spiralling numbers on the Live Register.
Ms Hanafin said one of the key differences between the Live Register now, as opposed to five or 10 years ago, was that it contained "highly educated people, and many graduates".
They were not at risk of long-term unemployment, she added, "because they have education, degrees and a lot of flexibility".
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Harder
The ESRI research highlighted the age-old problem of those with lower levels of education facing into long periods on the dole.
The study also found some gender differences -- women, unlike men, are likely to find it harder to secure employment if they have children.
But men suffer a greater degree of age discrimination, while women who are married or separated are less likely than single women to leave the Live Register.
Those married to high earners are also less likely to leave, a profile that runs against the stereotype of those who are signing on long-term.
The study identified the factors leading to long-term unemployment and could now be used to ensure early intervention to boost a claimant's chance of gaining employment.
National Profiling of the Unemployed in Ireland -- conducted by the ESRI in partnership with the Department of Social and Family Affairs -- tracked the status of approximately 60,000 claimants on the Live Register over an 18-month period.
- Senan Molony
