Minister hightlights need to improve our skills

13 December 2007

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today addressed the 2nd Annual Lifelong Learning UK Conference, in Edinburgh.  

The Minister emphasised the importance of his Department’s skills strategy, ‘Success Through Skills” in raising skills levels in the workplace and the role that Further Education (FE) has to play.

The Minister said:"Success Through Skills’ is central to the Department’s vision of an FE and training system that is responsive to the needs of learners and employers alike. Therefore, Colleges and training providers have a vital role to play in raising skills levels and so raise the productivity and competitiveness of companies in Northern Ireland.”

Sir Reg also stressed his Department’s commitment to continuous self-improvement in FE and workplace training through the implementation of “Success Through Excellence”, the Department’s quality improvement strategy. He said: “Quality of training provision lies at the heart of this strategy. It is essential that we establish a system of self-improvement, evaluation and development.  Only through continuous analysis of our training can we identify innovative and effective practice.”

The Minister said: “We have committed to the implementation of a skills strategy and quality provision but we will only be successful if the people providing the teaching and training are themselves highly qualified professionals.  They, in effect, train the workforce to deliver the skills agenda.  The Sector Skills Council Lifelong Learning (UK) must, therefore, set in place the framework to underpin the training and development of the workforce in our colleges and training organisations.”

Sir Reg concluded by pledging his support for the work of Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK): “My Department is committed to continuing to work with LLUK to ensure we have a workforce to make Northern Ireland a higher value added, innovative and enterprising economy.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Lifelong Learning 2ndAnnual Conference took place in Edinburgh on Thursday 13December 2007.
  2. The Lifelong Learning Sector Skills Council is responsible for the professional development of those working in further education, higher education, work-based learning, community learning and development and, libraries archives and information services.
  3. Speakers include David Lammy, Minister for Skills in England and Maureen Watt, Minister for Schools and Skills in Scotland.
  4. “Success through Skills”, the Department for Employment and Learning’s Skills Strategy, was launched in March 2006 at the first Skills Conference by Angela Smith MP.
  5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
  6. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.