Ministers Host Joint Dialogue On Enterprise Skills Needs And Brexit

A joint stakeholder dialogue on 'Enterprise Skills Needs and Brexit' has taken place at the Aviva in Dublin.

The event was held by The Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., along with Minister for Education & Skills, Richard Bruton.

The initiative is part of the Government’s ongoing dialogue with stakeholders in relation to the impacts of the UK's decision to leave the European Union. It provides an opportunity to hear the voices of those affected by Brexit, both directly and through representative groups.

Speaking at the event, the Tánaiste said: "Government is well prepared for the negotiations around the UK exit from the EU but we need to be ready on all fronts to deal with the implications of Brexit and the skills area is no exception.

"The availability of qualified people with work ready skills and talent is the leading source of competitive advantage and key to competitiveness, innovation and growth. Indeed, our ability to upskill and reskill our workforce will help both employees and firms to adapt to the challenges posed by Brexit and to thrive in the economy and society of the future."

Minister Bruton said: "Brexit will pose a significant challenge to both our foreign owned and domestic enterprise base. It will be our capacity to deliver talent that will keep the most ambitious companies in the world picking Ireland as a place to do business, and ensure that our own indigenous enterprises will continue to innovate, grow jobs and win new markets."

(LM)