Increasing Participation and Lifelong Learning
The National Development Plan (2007-2013) sets as a national objective that the higher education system is to be at the front rank of performance within the OECD. Interpreting this as a position within the top five OECD performers in terms of graduation output means more than 7,000 additional honours degree /masters graduates and doubling of PhD numbers will be required.
To date it has been possible for the higher education sector to grow through an increase in the number of school leaving students going on to higher education. However, future growth in participation cannot come solely from this group. There are also groups in society that are underrepresented in higher education, e.g. students from lower socio-economic groups, students with disabilities. While participation from these groups has increased in recent years, there remains much progress to be made. The issue of equality of access is a top priority for the HEA, and the work of the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education will further its work in increasing access for particular target groups, specifically people with a disability, those from lower socio-economic groups, members of the Traveller and other minority communities students, and students with a disability.
Also, mature student participation in higher education has been historically low. A recent manpower forecasting study (ESRI/FÁS) concluded that economic growth over the medium term (2012) will be greatest in occupations that require third level qualifications and high skill levels. Other lower skilled jobs are projected to decline or experience only moderate growth. This finding accentuates the need for Ireland to implement a meaningful lifelong learning strategy so that those already in the labour market can up-skill and continue to be gainfully employed in a changing labour market. Unless this happens there is a real risk that these individuals could become unemployable in an economy dominated by high skills occupations.
Lifelong learning must become a guiding principle of Irish education, allowing the seamless movement of learners between second level, further education and higher education and encouraging greater coherence in policy initiatives across these levels. Lifelong learning will ensure that all individuals are facilitated in up-skilling and maintain a relationship with education throughout their lives.