Linking Further Education with business needs was one of the key topics considered at today’s meeting of the Economic Development Forum (EDF).

The NIO Minister with responsibility for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Ian Pearson who, chairing the meeting at the Belfast Institute of Further & Higher Education (BIFHE), welcomed the fact that last week's FE Strategy paper put the economy at the core of its ambition.

"The meeting today, appropriately at BIFHE, gave us opportunity to debate how we can harness that ambition to develop an innovative, competitive economy," the Minister said.

“Members seen at first hand examples of the very tangible ways in which interactive learning can be used to foster economic growth specifically in the local hospitality and manufacturing industries. We need to build on this, constantly seeking ways of enhancing the link between education and the economy.”

Speaking on behalf of the Northern Ireland Committee/Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Peter Bunting, added: “The Further Education sector plays a vital role in improving skills levels which, in turn, will open up opportunities for better paid jobs. The Trade Union movement sees skills as the way forward for helping to sort out the appalling poverty levels in Northern Ireland.”

At today’s meeting members also discussed DETI’s Research Agenda, DEL’s Employability Taskforce, DRD’s Regional Transportation Strategy and DCAL’s recently published Unlocking Creativity Action Plan.

(MB)