Labour market information helps identify opportunities

21 February 2008

In a report released today, the Department for Employment and Learning published findings from its Review of Labour Market Information.

The report examines how labour market information, which includes information on earnings and employment, can be used to understand better the demand for skills in Northern Ireland. It demonstrates how reliable and accessible information on the labour market can help individuals take advantage of job opportunities and make more informed choices about which careers to pursue and the education and training routes to follow.

The report was launched by Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, while visiting Strabane JobCentre. He said:  “My Department has been focusing on how improved information can help us all make better career choices as we interact with the labour market.  Success through Skills, the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland, recognises the importance of understanding the demand for skills and identifying the opportunities for Northern Ireland and its people in the global market place. The report published today sets out the steps required to create a world class labour market information system for Northern Ireland.”

He continued: “My visit to the Strabane JobCentre has shown me how labour market information can impact directly on the local community.  It helps the Northern Ireland Employment Service give sound advice to jobseekers who, in turn, can take full advantage of the employment and training opportunities on offer.”

As part of his visit to Strabane the Minister visited the new ASDA store in the town, which opened in July 2007 creating 200 new jobs for the area. This has made ASDA the single biggest employer in Strabane and is a welcome boost to the local economy, especially in light of recent redundancies and factory closures.

During an intensive recruitment period ASDA teamed up with the local JobCentre and with the charitable organisation Cresco Trust, to make sure jobseekers were aware of the new opportunities and to select the most suitable candidates.

Encouraged by what he saw, Sir Reg said: “I am pleased to get this opportunity to meet with people who are clearly passionate about offering their communities locally-based employment opportunities. Strabane JobCentre is just one of 35 similar centres across Northern Ireland that are working closely with employers, jobseekers and other partners to identify and fill local employment opportunities. It is important that the types of partnerships created in setting up the ASDA store, continue to flourish in the future for the greater good of areas such as Strabane.”

While he was in the North West the Minister also visited the Magee Campus of the University of Ulster where he attended a performance from the students of the University’s School of Creative Arts and spoke with research students working in the area of Artificial Intelligence.  Work on research and development with the local industries has flourished over the past few years providing a vital link between the University and the local economy.

NOTES TO EDITORS:The Review of Labour Market Information was announced as a key strand of Success through Skills, the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland. Success through Skills outlines how the Department plans to increase the skills of the Northern Ireland workforce.

  1. The full Labour Market Information Review report and an Executive Summary are available on the Department’s website on http://www.delni.gov.uk/lmireview.
  2. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
  3. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned