60pc of our children will work in jobs that don’t currently exist
MORE than 60pc of Ireland’s children will work in jobs that currently don’t exist and will have had an average of between 10 and 12 jobs by the time they reach 38 years of age, according to the business employers’ group Ibec.
Ibec said that while technologies would create many new jobs, some roles would inevitably be lost to technological advances.
The group, which has dubbed its new campaign ‘Smarter World, Smarter Work’, said that in order to meet the challenges to a rapidly changing work environment, reforms were needed across childcare, retirement and pensions policies.
It also insisted that an overhaul of the country’s social protection system was needed.
“Rapid digitalisation, changing lifestyles and demographic shifts mean jobs and careers are being transformed,” said Ibec’s director of employer relations, Maeve McElwee.
She added: “This brings great opportunities, but also risks.
“A new era of quality job creation and improved living standards is possible. But we need to embrace technological and workplace change in business and right across society.”
Ibec insists that a new approach to flexible working is needed, with better support for those who are out of work.
It also wants labour market rules that actively encourage work and job creation.
“The new world of work is more exciting, but also less predictable,” Danny McCoy, Ibec CEO, said. “To address this, public policy must focus on investing in an individual’s employability, rather than maintaining roles that will eventually become redundant.
“It must prioritise an inclusive and life-long approach to skills development.”
One of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs, Jerry Kennelly, recently told the Irish Independent that there was a gulf between Ireland’s education system and the demands of employers.
“There’s an astounding, shocking disconnect between the education system and the real world,” he said. Mr Kennelly claimed that many third-level courses were “nonsense”.
In its campaign, launched today, Ibec has echoed the need for students to be prepared for working life.
“Students on well-conceived and rigorous academic programmes often have many striking achievements; but unless they can translate achievements into a language that resonates with employers, then their intellectual, social and cultural capital will not be realised,” it said.
A recent survey by Ibec found that fewer than 45pc of employers in Ireland were satisfied with graduates’ entrepreneurial and business skills.
“Business, government and educators must work much closer with each other,” said Ms McElwee.
“Employers need to provide work placements and work-related projects, engage with students in the classroom and help with career clinics.”