Enterprise Minister, Ian Pearson has today welcomed the proposed key role further education will have for developing Northern Irelands’ economy.

Mr Pearson was responding to the ‘FE Means Business’ Strategy paper unveiled by the Minister responsible for Employment and Learning, Jane Kennedy.

Mr Pearson said: "I welcome the fact that the Strategy paper is putting the economy at the core of its ambition and drive. A prosperous economy depends upon its access to an appropriately skilled and qualified workforce. Future competitiveness will be determined by the strengths and capabilities of our young people in particular.

"Education releases the potential in individuals. In turn this potential can be created into skills needed in the workplace. For the individual this means greater employment opportunities. For the economy this means more innovation, more enterprise and more growth."

Outlining the future of the NI further education sector this morning, Ms Kennedy said education lay at the heart of prosperity and offered a real opportunity to break the cycle of deprivation and poverty

Unveiling an outline for the future of further education during her keynote speech to delegates attending today’s Harbinson Lecture at the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education, the Minister said: "Further Education has a significant role to play in meeting the skills needs of workers in Northern Ireland, many of whom are still employed in low productivity/low paying jobs.

"By providing skills we can transform the economy into one based on new knowledge technologies instead of low productivity. I am convinced that the FE sector will contribute to economic development in the broadest context.

"Partnership will be key to the success of this strategy and we aim to build stronger links between the FE Sector and schools, universities, employers and community and voluntary organisations," she concluded.

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