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16/10/2001
Farren welcomes ‘Education and Learning for Industry’ report
Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Employment and Learning, has responded positively in the assembly to the Department for Employment and Learning Committee’s report on ‘Education and Learning for the Industry’.
Dr Farren said that education and training, for those, aged over 16, could, and did, make a powerful contribution to Northern Ireland’s economic position and towards social inclusion.
The Minister welcomed the Committee’s intentions and stressed that the Executive has emphasised the importance of this work by including the issues of education and skills and competitiveness in the Programme for Government.
He also reminded Members of some of the developments for which he has been responsible: a Skills Task Force has been established and a series of research projects designed to improve the understanding of the demand side of the labour market have been initiated; a Support Programme for University Research will provide over £40m investment from a public-private partnership over the next four years to invest in the research and development infrastructure in both our regional universities; and a student support package totalling £65 million, access measures in FE and HE, and the introduction of ILAs and LearnDirect.
Addressing in particular, basic skills levels, Dr Farren described this as a significant challenge which must be overcome, if the skill levels available within the economy are to be raised and if all the local population is to aspire to social and personal advancement and esteem. He said his officials were working on a comprehensive Adult Basic Skills strategy, which he would bring forward for consultation within the next two months. (CD)
Dr Farren said that education and training, for those, aged over 16, could, and did, make a powerful contribution to Northern Ireland’s economic position and towards social inclusion.
The Minister welcomed the Committee’s intentions and stressed that the Executive has emphasised the importance of this work by including the issues of education and skills and competitiveness in the Programme for Government.
He also reminded Members of some of the developments for which he has been responsible: a Skills Task Force has been established and a series of research projects designed to improve the understanding of the demand side of the labour market have been initiated; a Support Programme for University Research will provide over £40m investment from a public-private partnership over the next four years to invest in the research and development infrastructure in both our regional universities; and a student support package totalling £65 million, access measures in FE and HE, and the introduction of ILAs and LearnDirect.
Addressing in particular, basic skills levels, Dr Farren described this as a significant challenge which must be overcome, if the skill levels available within the economy are to be raised and if all the local population is to aspire to social and personal advancement and esteem. He said his officials were working on a comprehensive Adult Basic Skills strategy, which he would bring forward for consultation within the next two months. (CD)
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