Carving out a better future through training

18 December 2008

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today highlighted that employers who continue to invest in training their employees will reap benefits in the future.

The Minister was speaking as he visited S McConnell and Sons Ltd, a successful family run stone masonry business in Kilkeel, who have been involved in some high profile contracts such as the Diana, Memorial and the restoration of the Connaught Hotel, London.

Referring to the Department’s Success through Skills Strategy, which focuses on raising the skills and improving the employability of the workforce of tomorrow, Sir Reg said: “It is heartening to see in this period of economic challenge, especially in the Kilkeel area, that S McConnell & Sons are continuing to find success in the increasingly competitive construction sector.  I am also pleased to see the importance that the company places on job-related training.  At this time I would encourage other employers to continue to provide opportunities for their employees to develop the appropriate workplace skills when economic conditions improve.”

Whilst in Kilkeel, the Minister visited the local Jobs & Benefits office where he launched labour market profiles for the six Workforce Development Forums (WDFs) in Northern Ireland.  A report providing an overview of labour market information for Northern Ireland was also launched. These reports examine labour market issues within each of the WDFs and provide information on employment, qualifications, vacancies, redundancies and annual development demand by occupation.   

The Minister said: “These local labour market reports will help inform the work of the Northern Ireland Employment Service and Careers Service.  As a result, individuals can make informed choices about which careers to pursue, and the education and training routes to follow.  The reports provide local labour market information for each of the WDFs, which ensures that they are well informed about local demand and supply issues as they assess current and future skills needs.”

NOTE TO EDITORS:

  1. The six Workforce Development Forum’s in Northern Ireland are: Belfast Metropolitan WDF, North West Regional WDF, Northern Regional WDF, South West WDF, South Eastern Regional WDF and the Southern Regional WDF.
  2. The reports are available to download from the Department’s website on http://www.delni.gov.uk/labourmarketprofiles.
  3. All media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.