25Personal and situational qualities may eventually prove very useful as transferable skills for a future quest. Using some of the tools of motivational interviewing, whereby the dream/aspiration are looked at equally with the low dream/worst case scenario may open up a space for the client to take ownership of their goals. Personal aspiration and potential within the world represent a delicate balance. One of the ways of accessing the contribution the client may wish to make is through their sense of place and belonging in the world. This sense of belonging may form the bedrock in which the client may engage with their own unique clarity of purpose, the interplay of aptitude and achievement and the impact of interest, personality and capacity. Synchronisation of competing forces, a focus on self-management, optimising opportunity and a cycle of strong motivation, performance and satisfaction are helpful in the continuum of career management. A healthy regard for managing risk factors are also important. Perhaps, essentially, a concept of a portfolio of career possibilities in which the client may 'pick and choose' at different periods in their lives, takes away the pressure of one absolute goal. We may be ready for different aspects of our chosen career spectrum at different times. Small steps may lead us to fulfilment. AdultCareer Needs for Adults in these New Times continuedNCGE NEWS Winter 2011ReferencesThe Journal of Process Oriented Psychology, Vol.9 (1), Summer 2004, Work, Vocation and Self: a New Model for Using Process Work in Career Development by Alan Richardson & Peter Hands. 'Looking for love in All the Wrong Places, a new Vision of Career Counselling' by Hands and Richardson in Psychotherapy in Australia, Vol. 7 (4), p.34 August 2004. Requests for articles can be emailed to a.richardson@qut.edu.auCLICK toLINKInterest & OpportunityConfidence & CompetenceDeveloping Belonging - Owning Dreams & PlaceEnsuring Well BeingSurvivalCareer Invention Hierarchy addressing the Level of Needs in Maslow's Hierarchy AuthorDr Alan Richardson B. Soc. Sc. (Psych), Grad Dip. Counselling, M. Ed., M. Soc Sc (Couns.), Dip. Process Oriented Psychology, PhD (Cand) is an educator at QUT University in Brisbane, Australia and a Careers Counsellor.

26NCGE NEWS Summer 2011AdultFuture Skills Needs: Reflections on the National and Local LandscapeWithin the last five years, Ireland has seen a significant change in the national employment profile. This process of change has been advanced by a number of factors, including the economic downturn and accompanying recession, rapid advancements in communications technologies as well as increasing reliance on IT systems and solutions. These factors have contributed to more technology and science based approaches within industry, as a vehicle for economic recovery and prosperity. In this article, Mary Connell, Adult Guidance Information Officer, in Co Laois Adult Educational Guidance Service details the changing social and economic landscape and the vital role education plays in an individual's ability to adapt.Traditional manufacturing industries are declining and there is a move towards the emerging industries of 'neurofacturing' (creating value through knowledge work rather than physical labour). In this area, higher skill levels and third or fourth level qualifications are key aspects to employment longevity. In fact, there has been significant growth in the numbers of professional job opportunities being advertised over the past year. The Morgan McKinley Irish Employment Monitor has recorded a 46% increase in the number of such vacancies in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. In tandem with these shifts, long term employment trends have seen an increase in services-based employment relative to industry and manufacturing, which has in turn raised the demand for more knowledge and people-based skills. Sectors, such as food and beverage, where according to Forfas, 62% of workers have low levels of formal education are seeing an increase in those with third and fourth level qualifications. While future growth is predicted in this area, the range of employment opportunities will be concentrated in food science, product development and research and development. Educational and skill requirements may necessitate higher level study.Rapid change across industry will have many challenges for future jobseekers and for those entering and re-entering education and training. Those working in sectors such as construction and related fields have seen the virtual collapse of career and progression structures within their sector. Workers must now re-develop their skills in different and/or related career areas. Numerous skills are transferable and certain core skills are especially in demand.Many adult learners have an awareness of the reality of the world of work. Returning to education can play a vital role in the consolidation of existing skills and the development of new ones especially in respect of 'soft skills' such as: the ability to work collaboratively, to communicate effectively, to assimilate new knowledge and adapt to changing circumstances. These skills may be core to many new employment opportunities.