A RECENT FAS survey shows that almost 40 per cent of employers are dissatisfied with the recruitment services provided by the state training agency. However, levels of satisfaction for most other FAS services range from 85 to 97 per cent.
The recruitment services rated a comparatively poor 63 per cent satisfaction rating. One proposal in the White Paper on Human Resources is that FAS recruitment services be placed under the direction of a new executive board within the FAS structures, because of dissatisfaction with its performance on the part of the Minister.
The survey, which covered 1,000 firms employing 10 or more persons in the manufacturing, construction and services sectors, shows that manufacturing, construction and the motor trade were the most intensive users of FAS services. Almost two thirds of manufacturers and construction firms used FAS services, while the figure rose to 80 per cent in the motor trade.
The most commonly availed of services were in relation to apprenticeships. Some 19 per cent of companies used FAS services in this area, 17 per cent used FAS for recruitment purposes and 13 per cent used its training support scheme.
Just over half, or 56 per cent of firms, used FAS services at some stage during the 21 months preceding the survey, which took place in September and October, 1996.
Of the 44 per cent of firms which did not use FAS services, nine per cent said it was because they had a poor opinion of the agency. Another 22 per cent said they were not aware of the services available. Four per cent said they preferred to use other providers and 46 per cent had no need of the services provided.