Further Education sector - providing the skills base needed for economic growth - Smith
The further education sector here has a pivotal role to play in providing the skills needed for sustainable economic growth.
This was the view expressed by Angela Smith, Minister for Employment and Learning following her visit today to the East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education.
Based in two campuses in Newtownabbey and Larne the Institute has over
12 000 full-time students and provides a wide range of vocational and academic courses including eBusiness, Construction, Engineering and Electronics and Catering.
Commenting on the state of the art facilities in the recently refurbished campuses Angela Smith said:
“The East Antrim Institute provides an excellent service in an environment which is highly conducive to learning. Students enjoy the latest technology and equipment in pleasant modern surroundings. It has also been a pleasure to meet with the lecturers and students to see first hand how they are developing new skills and equipping themselves for work.”
Highlighting the importance of the drive to provide local businesses with improved skills in technology and ICT Angela Smith said:
“Technician level skills are the bedrock for the small businesses which make up the vast majority of Northern Ireland firms. Matching those skills levels to the needs of industry will be the key to our overall strategic aims to develop the economy and build resources for our local communities.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The East Antrim Institute is based in two campuses in Newtownabbey (Felden and Shore Road) and one in Larne with a total of over 12, 000 full-time students.
2. In September 2005 the Minister announced, following a review of size and structure as part of an overall Further Education Review, that the East Antrim Institute, the North East Institute and the Causeway Institute would amalgamate as one of six new area based colleges in Northern Ireland.
3. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7790.