Carberry calls for ring-fenced EU skills fund

MEP Nina Carberry has called on the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to consider launching a ring-fenced EU skills fund in the next European Budget.

The Fine Gael MEP held an audience with the Commission President during the launch of the European Parliament’s Young Members Network.

Speaking from Brussels, MEP Carberry said she used the opportunity to ‘highlight’ the shortage of skills in Ireland to the Commission President.

Additionally, she ‘pressed home’ her desire to see ‘new opportunities’ which improve the digital skills of Europeans, as well as further investments in education and upskilling.

She continued: "Addressing the skills shortage is vital, and I raised the issue of putting additional resources and funding into apprenticeship schemes, as there is a high level of demand for professionals in construction, engineering and healthcare.”

With new developments in AI and automation technology, MEP Carberry explained the impact this will have on the recruitment landscape ‘in the years to come’.

"We must put skills at the very forefront of the job creation agenda to attract more foreign direct investment into our island,” she concluded.