As 34,000 students descend upon the RDS, Dublin for WorkdSkills Ireland 2024, a survey conducted on members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors revealed that over three quarters (77%) of respondents have seen a shift in students’ attitudes over the past three years, with more being receptive to pursuing apprenticeships or skills-based careers.
The survey by The Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) and WorldSkills Ireland 2024 also revealed that parental or family influence remains the top factor for how students make career choices (87%) followed by pursuing interests/passions (79%) and potential earning capacity (64%). Other factors cited that play a role in career choices include perceived job security within trades (43%) and the rising costs of university education (41%).
WorldSkills Ireland 2024 – a partnership between enterprise, industry, education, training, and government – is the biggest skills-based careers exhibition in Ireland, with an expected attendance of 34,000 young people. As the official education partner, The Institute of Guidance Counsellors surveyed its members for their views on the evolving career landscape.
Additional findings from the IGC / WorldSkills Ireland 2024 survey include:
- A significant majority (87%) of respondents believe that the value of skills-based careers will rise in the next decade
- Over one in five respondents believe that there will be more interest in skills-based jobs due to the potential impact of AI
When reflecting on the barriers preventing students from pursuing skills-based careers, the top answers included the perception that skills-based careers are less prestigious than university degrees (76%), an inability to identify employers to support their application (67%) and pressure from parents or peers to pursue traditional academic paths (67%).
Catríona Rodgers, President of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors comments: “This survey highlights an evolving trend whereby more students are recognising the value of trade and skills-based roles as viable, long-term career paths. This has been a long time coming and is the result of many years of work by industry and government, including events such as WorldSkills Ireland 2024, in shifting perceptions and highlighting the many career options that are open to young people. The promotion of Pathways over Points, can reduce stress on our young people, improving their wellbeing and mental health whilst they find their next steps.”
“In an era where we face a critical skills shortage across many sectors, it has never been more important to educate young people on the opportunities that exist in trades and skilled professions. Simply put, we need more skilled workers across a broad range of industries, and events like WorldSkills Ireland 2024 are key to showing the breadth of choices to our young people first hand.”
A Government and Industry led event, WorldSkills Ireland 2024 is expected to welcome 34,000 students, 300 schools, 1,500 teachers and 2,600 parents and individuals through its doors. The three-day event will host National skills competitions, with over 170 students competing, along with a vast array of interactive exhibits, skills demonstrations, all 16 ETBs and hands-on experiences in trades and professions.
Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland 2024 adds: “Skills and apprenticeship programmes are the life blood of many Irish businesses. To secure the evolution of Ireland’s economy and its place as a global leader, nurturing talent and encouraging the next generation to consider a skills-based career, is vitally important – which is what we’re hoping to achieve through WorldSkills Ireland 2024.”
WorldSkills Ireland 2024 is supported by industry partners, SISK, Autodesk, ESB Networks, Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus, and the Construction Industry Federation.
Running until Friday 27th September at the RDS, Simmonscourt, WorldSkills Ireland 2024 aims to inspire and motivate young people to explore diverse career options, emphasising the significant role that skills and apprenticeships play in achieving professional success.