My Department is pulling out stop to help industry - Empey

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey today assured employers and employees that his department was doing everything possible to assist those facing uncertainty in the current economic climate.

He said: “This is undoubtedly a very worrying time economically, but my department is working extremely hard to help people into work and also to support them when jobs are lost. I can assure you that everything that can be done is being done, but I want to urge employers to take a long term view in order that our economy suffers minimal damage.

“Last week I joined with Sir Mike Rake, Chairman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, and other UK senior businessmen and union leaders to call on employers not to slash staff training in a bid to cut costs as the recession bites. If employers continue to develop their people now, they will reap the benefits when we emerge into a better economic climate.”

Sir Reg continued: “Preserving the supply of apprentices is one way of doing this. A fundamental part of any apprenticeship is the work-based training and the assessment of competence in the real working environment. For those apprentices who unfortunately lose their positions, my department will work through Sector Skills Councils and Training Suppliers to get them new or foster employers.

“I have also requested that my department’s Steps to Work provision will be extended to ensure apprentices over the age of 18 years will have access to provision, including continued training. Apprentices under the age of 18 years can join the department’s Training for Success provision to continue training and technical study which will provide opportunities for work placement and will pay an Education Maintenance Allowance of £40 per week.

“If the current economic downturn continues then the opportunities for work placement may get less. However, those on the pre-apprenticeship programmes will be able to remain in full-time training with simulated practical experience within the excellent facilities available at the colleges and training providers contracted by the department for this purpose.”

The minister cited work with Seagate over the past year as an example of how his department tackles difficult and significant redundancies. He said: “My officials have worked tirelessly and in partnership with a wide range of organisations to help the Seagate employees find future employment. Training needs analyses have been carried out and my department has organised Job Fairs for November 2008 and January 2009. The first Job Fair is on 6 November in the Radisson SAS Hotel, Limavady where over 30 employers, who are actively seeking employees, will be present.”

Notes to Editors:

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