The organisation is also represented on the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. It's a dynamic ongoing process that identifies shortages before they happen and takes action to solve problems. Pat Maher, director of the development directorate in Enterprise Ireland, says that the Opportunity Ireland programme has worked well, because among other reasons, it's been focused on specific and critical skills shortages, rather than trying to apply general solutions. Other factors come into play, too, he says. In the Irish market, companies have to be encouraged to hold on to their existing staff, because despite the much-advertised US downturn, Ireland is still very tight for skilled labour.
Productivity has to be increased, another major focus of attention for Enterprise Ireland.
Other developments are in the pipeline, such as the creation of an online discussion group between Enterprise Ireland, its client companies and sets of experts, which will allow people to put questions about skills shortages. They will also be able to learn from the experiences of other companies that have already successfully negotiated the overseas recruitment path. Opportunity Ireland and its website are part of an active plan within Enterprise Ireland to combat the skills shortage and, despite the US recession, it seems that there should be little let up in the number of workers needed from outside the state.