Who Wants To Be A Skill-ionaire?

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has announced an extension of 100% funding for approved Management and Leadership programmes.

Speaking at today’s Annual Skills Conference at the La Mon Hotel and Country Club, the Minister spoke about the crucial role that the management and leadership skills of the local workforce will play in helping the Northern Ireland economy pull out of the economic downturn.

Sir Reg said: “Management and Leadership skills are crucial to increasing the productivity of individual companies and making them competitive in the world marketplace. These skills bring tangible benefits to business including higher productivity, better returns on capital and more robust growth.

“Yet, in many cases, a highly skilled workforce is not enough on its own. These skills must be appropriately utilised by managers to ensure that businesses can make the most of their core asset – their people.

“I can announce today that 100% funding of the Department's approved leadership and management programmes will continue until the end of March 2011. This measure has had a direct, positive impact on Northern Ireland businesses over the last year – encouraging them to invest in the management and leadership of their workforces. I believe that this is a key way in which government can impact on increasing the productivity of Northern Ireland businesses.”

To encourage companies to improve their management and leadership skills, the Department for Employment and Learning has recently undertaken a run of free road shows and master classes under the banner of the ‘Made Not Born’ campaign. The 10 ‘Made Not Born’ road shows and three master classes were attended by more than 800 local companies and all the events provided practical, well-focused guidance, hints and tips to help leaders and managers improve their performance in these challenging times. The Department has also expanded its suite of funded management and leadership programmes and the extension of the 100% funding until the end of March 2011 will have a direct and positive impact on Northern Ireland businesses.

The Conference, now in its fifth year, provides an opportunity for leading policy makers, educationalists, training providers, employers and industry representatives to participate in the debate on key issues linking skills development with enhanced productivity and competitiveness. This year’s keynote speakers were Ellis Watson, previously Managing Director at Menzies Distribution and Celador International, heading up commercial sales of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Cristina Martinez from OECD and Robert Strauss from the European Commission.

Ellis Watson reinforced the Minister’s message: “The power of strong, driven and passionate management and leadership within the business environment are in my opinion the difference makers. When these skills are employed correctly they can have positive and almost immediate impact on a business and its operational successes. However, without a healthy dose of passion and an encouraging organisational culture, these skills cannot and will not be maximised. I would urge business owners across NI to consider the introduction of management and leadership training and to contact the Made Not Born team to learn more about the programmes on offer.”

Notes to editors:

1. Further details are available at Made not Born
2. 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.