Graduates get government training - graduate jobs

A new government scheme in Ireland is aiming to train graduates for employers in order to provide a skilled workforce.

The Irish employment minister, Sir Reg Empey, said official training support will be offered to companies who are willing to create new jobs.

The Assured Skills project will see the creation of special programmes run by the government.

The idea is based on similar initiatives used in the US state of North Carolina, which helped 200 firms.

Sir Reg told the Assembly: "When a company is interested in creating jobs here, we want to be able to assure them that we can provide the necessary support to deliver the skilled workforce that they require."

He said the Assured Skills programme meant bespoke training for employers and could involve the creation of a graduate conversion course or working with colleges and universities to adapt the curriculum.

This would ensure everybody qualified in a particular discipline would also have the skills relevant to their employer, he said.

"Whatever it means, though, we want to be able to demonstrate through action, as opposed to mere words, that we are open for business and ready and able to help," he added.

One of the projects already provides assistance to Citi, the multi-national financial services company, where almost 200 staff have been trained.