Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10:31am in public session.

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1.    Minutes of the meeting held on 9 th April 2008

Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.

2.    Briefing from University Colleges

10:35am Mr Newton joined the meeting

The Committee received a briefing from Officials of St Mary’s University College: Mr Peter Finn, Acting Principal, and Mr Brian McFall, Director of Finance and Administration, on imminent changes to the teacher training sector. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

11:44am Mr McCrea joined the meeting

The Committee also received a briefing from Officials of Stranmillis University College: Dr Anne Heaslett, Principal, Mr Steve Costello, Chair of the Governing Body, and Dr Clifford Boyd, Vice-Principal, also on imminent changes to the teacher training sector . The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee would write to the Minister outlining its initial concerns and issues regarding potential change in this sector.

12:03pm Mr Newton left the meeting
12:15pm Ms Ramsey left the meeting
12:15pm Mr Spratt took the Chair

3.    Matters Arising

Members noted a paper from the Department on the uptake at the recent job fairs facilitated by the Department.

Members noted an update paper from the Department on the Teachers’ Premature Retirement Scheme in FE and that the University and College Union will brief the Committee on this issue on 24 th April.

Agreed: Members also noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to the termination of training contracts under the Training for Success Programme and agreed that stakeholders of the automotive industry brief the Committee at a later date.

4.    Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed the proposed responses.

The Deputy Chairman updated Members on a meeting with Departmental representatives in relation to the Training for Success Programme on 9 th April 2008.

Member noted that a scheduled meeting of the Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of the Employment and Learning Committee and the Education Committee has been postponed until a later date.

The Deputy Chairman updated Members on a meeting with Grafton Recruitment on 16 th April.

Agreed: Members agreed that all MLAs in the constituency of North Antrim be invited to attend a forthcoming Chairperson’s meeting with Bumblebees Nursery on 30 th April 2008.

5.    Subordinate Legislation

The Committee noted the following Statutory Rules and the report of the Assembly’s Examiner of Statutory Rules:

• Certification Officer (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 – (SR 2008/95) .
• The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 – (SR 2008/129)

Questions put and agreed:

“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered Certification Officer (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 – (SR 2008/95) and has no objection to the rule”.

“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered T he Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 – (SR 2008/129) and has no objection to the rule”.

6.    Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.

7.    Any Other Business

Members noted a paper from the Department detailing recent research publications relevant to the Department.

Agreed: Members also noted a paper from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in relation to Departmental submissions to Statutory Committees on quarterly monitoring rounds and agreed to the format of future submissions.

Members noted an invitation from NcompasS to attend the forthcoming event “North/South Co-operation in Education: What’s the point?”

12:52pm Mr Butler left the meeting

8.    Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 23 rd April 2008 at 10.30am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Deputy Chairman adjourned the meeting at 12:55pm.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning

23 April 2008