Empey - Investment in training vital for economic recovery

Sir Reg Empey, Employment Minister, today emphasised the importance of investing in training to take advantage of the economic recovery.

Sir Reg was speaking as he officially opened a new training facility at Complete Construction Training Services (CCTS) in Belfast.

CCTS, formed in January 2008, offers training, assessment and certification for the construction sector and specializes in gas, oil, electrical and health and safety training at its assessment centre in East Belfast.

The Minister said: "I welcome the opportunity to open this new training facility today. It is a fantastic testimony of CCTS’s commitment to meeting the needs of local employers and raising the level of skills in Northern Ireland. This type of investment is vital to the future well being of the Northern Ireland economy.

“I am only too aware of the challenges in Northern Ireland as a result of the current global downturn. My Department is doing all it can to ensure that the impact of the recession is minimised in Northern Ireland, and that we are well placed to take advantage of the recovery as and when it happens.”

The Minister concluded: “However it is vitally important that Government, employers and education and training providers continue to work together in partnership to ensure that the skills base in the workforce, both now and for the future, is maintained and strengthened, to meet the future needs of the economy.”

Notes to editors:

1. 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.

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