Improved productivity through upskilling, assisting workers who are at risk of redundancy and ensuring that all immigrant workers can fully utilise their skills are among the priorities outlined in the new strategy statement from the training and employment authority, Fás.

The strategy, which is based on a forecast of continued economic growth in the medium term, covers the period 2006-2009. The authority aims to continue developing all existing sources of labour, especially women and under-represented groups.

Fás director general Rody Molloy said the concept of a national human resource and skills development strategy was central to developing a knowledge economy.

Chairman Brian Geoghegan said the authority must continue to adapt to serve the needs of a society now employing over two million people.

The strategy envisages employment growing by just under 2 per cent per annum to 2010. "More than 30,000 migrant workers will be needed each year to sustain projected employment growth."