From primary school education through to third-level and all the way to life-long learning, STEM education and training is key in Ireland’s current and future jobs market, according to Minister Seán Sherlock, TD.
Fresh from delivering a speech at the Irish Research Council’s symposium in the Convention Centre Dublin on 14 September, the Minister of State for Research and Innovation dropped into Career Zoo, the recruitment showcase taking place in the venue at the same time.
Sherlock’s speech was titled ‘The value of investing in researchers in Ireland’ and cited the Government’s efforts to ensure that Irish research is turning good ideas into products and jobs.
“Too often we talk about investing in ‘research’ or in specific fields/disciplines – whereas the investment is really in people and talent – the research community,” he said. “We must continually remember that a key deliverable from research investment is the education and training of highly skilled researchers.”
With this in mind, we then spoke to Sherlock about the importance of STEM education – be it from primary and secondary schools, third-level institutions or conversion courses and upskilling programmes – in providing suitable candidates for the tech jobs available in Ireland today.
Acknowledging issues such as skills shortages and emigration, Sherlock discussed the changing nature of the careers market and the need for life-long learning, as well as his plans to research how to introduce STEM at primary-school level.
