Up-skilling will lead to a more prosperous economy - Empey

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey, today highlighted government’s commitment to raising the skills level of Northern Ireland’s workforce to compete in a global marketplace.

The Minister was addressing delegates at an Employer Engagement conference in the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick, hosted by Foundation Degree Forward and the Skills for Business Network NI. He said: “When we consider that approximately two thirds of those currently in the workforce will still be in active employment in 2020, it is clear to see the importance of up-skilling those people who are currently contributing to the labour market.

“We can’t do this alone. Government, the education and business sectors must work together to deal with the challenges ahead. Raising the skills levels of our current and future workforce must be a high priority for us all.”

Carrying the title ’Transforming Your Workforce’, the aim of the conference was to bring together employers, Sector Skills Councils and Foundation Degree Forward, to explore and encourage the development of effective work-based qualifications in line with the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland, ‘Success Through Skills’.

The Minister highlighted that, through the Skills Strategy, his Department is committed to increasing the proportion of the population qualified to Level 4 and above, focusing on workforce development and increased employer engagement, particularly through more opportunities for part-time vocational courses, such as Foundation Degrees.

Sir Reg added: “Foundation Degrees address important skills gaps at the associate professional and higher technician level. They equip students with the combination of technical skills, academic knowledge and transferable skills that employers are increasingly demanding.

“We want to work closely with industry to ensure that these degrees are developed to meet the needs of employers and are industry-led. In particular, it is my Department’s policy to support part-time participation on Foundation Degrees, particularly by those in employment.”

The Minister concluded: “It is imperative that we move towards an economy based on high value added jobs. It is equally clear that it is only with the help, commitment and support of our partners in the education and business sectors, that we can raise the skills level of the whole workforce and secure Northern Ireland’s future in the global marketplace.”

Derek Longhurst, Chief Executive of Foundation Degree Forward, said: “Northern Ireland’s fast growing labour supply means that there is currently great employer demand for higher level skills among employees. Foundation Degree programmes up-skill employees by giving them the appropriate education, training and development so that they can make a valuable contribution.

“The purpose of this conference is to provide companies and organisations from all sectors in Northern Ireland with the opportunity to tell us what they really want from work-based Foundation Degrees. We want to encourage employers to play a key part in influencing the design and content of Foundation Degrees to ensure that they meet their needs. Northern Ireland is in a vibrant position, the economy is growing rapidly and we believe that Foundation Degrees can play an increasingly important part in workforce and economic development.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Foundation Degree Forward (fdf) is a national body that supports the development and validation of work-based Foundation Degrees. It is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to support employer engagement across higher education programmes generally and in relation to Foundation Degrees specifically. By working in partnership with all relevant agencies, institutions, organisations and interest groups, fdf ensures that the development of Foundation Degrees is driven by the needs of employers and students.
2. fdf was launched in the summer of 2003 following the publication of the Government White Paper, “The Future of Higher Education” (January 2003) which called for increased participation in Foundation Degrees, and greater involvement of employers in their design.
3. The Skills for Business network is made up of 25 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) - each one is an employer-led, independent organisation.
4. Guest Speakers at the Conference include Derek Longhurst, Chief Executive of Foundation Degree Forward (fdf), Dr John Mumford OBE, Warwick Hall, fdf Regional Director, West Midlands, and Andy Smyth, Funded Schemes Manager, TUI Travel UK and Ireland.
5. “Success through Skills”, the Department for Employment and Learning’s Skills Strategy, was launched in March 2006 at the first Skills Conference by Angela Smith MP.
6. Foundation Degrees are professional and technical Higher Education qualifications, which integrate academic and work-related learning. They aim to equip students with the combination of technical skills, academic knowledge and transferable skills that employers are increasingly demanding.
7. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
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