Employment and Skills issues to the fore Empey

Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today dismissed claims by Robin Newton, Deputy Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee, that his Department has left issues unresolved.

Sir Reg said: “Over the past two years my Department has made significant progress on major employment and skills issues and has provided an effective and speedy response to the global economic downturn.

“It is widely agreed that a properly skilled workforce is fundamental to a thriving economy and the work being taken forward as part of my Department’s Skills Strategy is already paying dividends.

“In light of the current economic challenges, I recently announced support for apprentices so that, even if they are made redundant, they will still be able to complete their training. Creating a workforce that is able to take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves in the upturn is crucial if we wish Northern Ireland to thrive in the years to come. The fact that we have already exceeded our target of having 10,000 apprentices in training by 2010 is testament to the Department’s work in this area.

“Since 2002, over 45,000 learners have taken advantage of our free Essential Skills courses and have achieved one or more qualifications leading to a better qualified workforce. We have also helped over 3,000 people with health conditions or disabilities find work in the past year.

“The Review of Student Fees, which I pledged to initiate in this academic year, is now underway and we are the first region in the UK to have taken this significant step. Regarding the proposed merger between Stranmillis College and Queen’s University; in line with the required process, my economists are currently examining the economic appraisal for the proposed merger to ensure that it complies with Green Book standards.

“Regarding the FE lecturers’ pay dispute, while no agreement has yet been reached on a pay settlement for 2008/09, fresh talks, facilitated by the Labour Relations Agency, have resumed between college employers and lecturing unions to explore a range of employee relation issues, but, particularly, lecturers’ pay. My Department has again encouraged the FE sector to consider the proposals which emerged from the talks chaired by Sir Joseph Pilling in 2007 as a basis for settlement, particularly in view of the increasingly difficult economic climate now prevailing. I must also point out that public sector pay limits are the product of a Treasury policy which has been endorsed by the entire Executive.”

The Minister concluded: “Mr Newton has an important role to play in the Employment and Learning Committee and I value his input, but I would ask that he uses his considerable influence in a constructive manner and work with us to provide a highly skilled and well educated workforce which will help boost the economy in these difficult days.”

Notes to Editors:

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