Developing skills strenghtens our ecomony - Empey

20 May 20087

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has called on key decision makers to help encourage Northern Ireland’s workforce develop world class skills.

Speaking at the fifth “State of the City” conference in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, which focused on the city’s economic development agenda, Sir Reg said: “The development and enhancement of skills is fundamental to the future economic well being of our city and therefore the future of our children and grandchildren.

“Our productivity, only 87.1% of the UK average, needs to be improved. We need to do this through the development and enhancement of skills and I call on all those with influence to work to make this a reality.”

The Minister highlighted the progress made on the Northern Ireland Skills Strategy implementation plan “Success Through Skills” which sets out a long term vision for skills with the twin goals of social inclusion and economic success.  He said:  “The Executive’s aim is to enable people to progress up a skills ladder, in order to raise the skills level of the whole workforce; to help deliver high productivity and increased competitiveness; and to secure Northern Ireland's future in a global marketplace. The Skills Strategy sets out how my Department will take these proposals forward in partnership with employers and their representative bodies; individuals and trade unions; training and education providers; the community and voluntary sector and other Government departments and agencies in order to deliver on a long term vision for skills in Northern Ireland.”

The Minister concluded: “By helping people find work, upskilling the workforce, supporting employment rights, innovation and creativity and making education and training accessible I believe we can create a more dynamic and innovative economy for both Belfast and indeed the whole of Northern Ireland.”

NOTE TO EDITORS:  

  1. “Success through Skills”, produced in 2006, is the implementation plan for Northern Ireland’s Skills Strategy led by the Department for Employment and Learning.
  2. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872  
  3. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via paper number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.