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Staff training is essential - Empey

6 November 2008

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today congratulated O’Kane Poultry and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) for their recognition of the importance of Essential Skills training.

Speaking at the official opening of a new Learning Centre at O’Kane’s Ballymena plant, the Minister said: “The ability to read and write, to perform mental arithmetic and manage money is so essential in today’s world that anyone who struggles in these areas is at a huge disadvantage – in the office, on the shop floor, on the high street, as a parent and as a citizen.

“It is important to remember that the greatest commodity a business has is its workforce.  It is employers working together with unions, training providers and government bodies to develop their workforce that will ensure we are in the best position to move our economy forward.  I want to encourage more companies to get involved in Essential Skills training so that, together, we can unlock the potential of our workers, our communities and our economic opportunities.”

Today’s event was organised by the BFAWU to recognise the commitment of O’Kane Poultry in promoting learning in the workplace with the support of the Northern Ireland Union Learning Fund.   BFAWU has been involved with the Union Learning Fund since 2007 and is working with a number of companies, including O’Kane Poultry to encourage staff training and development.  The new Learning Centre will be used to deliver a range of workplace training including Essential Skills literacy and numeracy classes.  

The Department for Employment and Learning launched its Essential Skills Strategy in 2002 and to date over 30,000 people have achieved a qualification in Maths or English, many of them through training programmes in the workplace.  

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. 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.