Department's programmes are meeting people's needs - Empey

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today welcomed a series of reports which show how his Department’s programmes are meeting quality and performance standards.

The reports provide a detailed picture of how key areas sponsored by the Department have been meeting the needs of stakeholders including students, trainees, employers and job seekers.

The work includes a report from the Department’s Quality Improvement Adviser which responds to the outcomes of inspections conducted by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). Key findings included:

• the quality of assessed provision across the Further Education, Training and Employment Programmes sectors was satisfactory, good or outstanding in almost all cases;
• the clear commitment of staff within skills and employment programme providers to quality improvement; and
• a number of opportunities to enhance provision further.

The Department has produced a quantitative report which provides a baseline analysis of DEL quality and performance which will provide a strong foundation for future assessment. This first baseline report provides an indication of how the Department performs across its main areas of activity. The report finds much to commend the performance of Departmental programmes, including:

• enrolments on skills programmes have increased significantly over the last decade; and
• DEL skills provision has been successful at engaging with those from more deprived areas. Northern Ireland performance on this measure tends to be significantly ahead of other parts of the UK.

In response to the reports, the Department has published an action plan which seeks to improve further upon the quality and performance of its programmes and provision.

Welcoming the findings, Sir Reg said: “These reports demonstrate my Department’s commitment to implementing its quality improvement strategy, Success through Excellence. I want to ensure that the programmes my Department deliver continue to be of the highest quality and allow those who participate on them to fulfil their potential.

“However, whilst these findings are very encouraging, there can be no room for complacency. For Northern Ireland to move forward economically and socially, we must strive towards self-improvement, both individually and collectively.”

Notes to editors:

1. The three documents can be found on the Department for Employment and Learning website
2. Much of the above analysis has been informed by and responds to outcomes from inspections conducted by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). Further details of this work can be found at the ETI Website
3. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch, on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.