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Effectice leadership skills fundamental to economic success - Empey

11 June 2008

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today stressed the need for outstanding leadership skills to ensure a prosperous economy.    

In a keynote speech to delegates from business, academia and the public and voluntary sectors attending the Leadership Northern Ireland Conference in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, the Minister said:  “The Programme for Government has identified the economy as the primary focus of the Executive.  Our vision for a successful future economy is one that is characterised by high productivity, a highly skilled and flexible workforce and employment growth.

“There is a growing recognition that effective leadership skills will be the key to driving the vision and harnessing the creative efforts of the workforce to deliver economic success.

“The importance of good leadership skills to the future development of our economy cannot be overstated.  As Northern Ireland strives to develop as an internationally competitive and knowledge-based economy we must develop the skills necessary to support that growth. Northern Ireland’s future prosperity will ultimately be built on local businesses that are globally competitive.”

Sir Reg stressed that there has never been a greater need for outstanding leadership skills to drive the economy forward.  He said that employers can avail of a comprehensive package of Department for Employment and Learning support to develop and implement their own corporate development plans, covering all aspects of the skills progression ladder from entry level managers to board level directors.

He also highlighted the new MAP programme (Management: Analysis and Planning) aimed directly at the smaller to medium sized business.  This programme offers free consultancy support and up to £7,000 of financial assistance to help small companies take action on their identified training and development needs to meet their own business objectives.

He said:  “This new approach will help effect permanent change in organisations by focussing on training and development activities that will help individual managers to improve their own leadership skills and consequently their business results.”

Sir Reg advised that later in the year he will be appointing a Northern Ireland Skills Adviser who will represent Northern Ireland on the recently formed UK Commission for Employment and Skills.  This person, who will report directly to him, will also take over as Chair of the Skills Expert Group, a panel of employers and academic experts which advises the Department on skills needed in the local economy.

The Minister concluded:  “We all need to do more to remove any remaining barriers to getting all of our people involved in building the new Northern Ireland.

would encourage everyone to pause and think of what more they can do to develop their own leadership capabilities.  When what you do in your own organisations provides positive results and benefits I’d encourage you to pass on that experience and publicise your successes.

“What we build here, we build not for ourselves, but for each other.  If we fail to grasp the new opportunity now before us, history will not judge us kindly.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Leadership Northern Ireland Conference was organised by the Public Service Partnership Ltd and is one of a series being held across the UK.  Guest speakers addressed a range of leadership issues and the programme included an opportunity for breakout sessions, informal discussion and networking.
  2. The Department’s Leadership Strategy  ‘Leading…to Success’  was published in July 2007 and contains an action plan towards better understanding and effective tackling of barriers to Leadership and Management Development.
  3. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
  4. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.