Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10:37am in public session.

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1. Minutes of the meetings held on 11th February 2009

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

2. Briefing from the Education and Training Inspectorate on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships

The Committee received a briefing from Officials from the Education and Training Inspectorate: Stanley Goudie, Chief Inspector, Paul McAlister, Assistant Chief Inspector, John Baird, Managing Inspector, Greer Hamilton, Inspector, and John Kennedy, Inspector, on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

3. Executive’s Response to the OFMdFM Committee’s Report into Child Poverty

Agreed: Members noted the Executive’s Response to the OFMdFM Committee’s Report into Child Poverty and agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister seeking views on those elements of the response relevant to the Department.

4. Executive’s Response to the OFMdFM Barroso Taskforce Report

Members noted the Executive’s Response to the OFMdFM Barroso Taskforce Report and the Committee’s draft response to the OFMdFM Committee.

Agreed: Members approved the response, subject to amendment, and agreed that it be forwarded to the OFMdFM Committee for inclusion in its response to the Executive.

5. A survey of leavers from the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds and New Deal 25+ programmes

Members noted the survey, commissioned by the Department, of leavers from the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds and New Deal 25+ programmes . Members also noted a summary paper from the Assembly’s Research Services. The Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, expressed her gratitude to the Assembly’s Research Services for production its paper.

6. Matter Arising

• Response from Minister regarding the European Social Fund Programme
  Agreed: Members noted the Minister’s response regarding the European Social Fund Programme and agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister indicating the Committee’s concerns regarding the ending of the programme.
• “Redundancy lecturers re-employment” BBC press article
  Members noted a recent press release relating to the reemployment of lecturers, by Further Education colleges, that had already taken redundancy packages over the last two years. Members also noted that the Chairperson has written to the Minister seeking his view on this issue.
• Correspondence regarding Variable Tuition Fees 2009-10
  Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Universities and the University Colleges on variable tuition fees for the 2009-2010 academic year and agreed that further clarification be sought on the issue.
• Correspondence regarding update on FE lecturers’ pay dispute
  Members noted a Departmental update on the ongoing FE lecturers’ pay dispute.

Rev Dr Coulter declared an interest in the issue

• Departmental Submission to DFP relating to February Monitoring
  Members noted the Department’s submission to the Department of Finance and Personnel in relation to February monitoring.
• Minister’s Response to Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Economic Recovery Package
  Members noted the Minister’s response to the Prime Minister’s economic recovery package.

7. Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. Members also noted a forthcoming meeting of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson with the Convenor of the Scottish Committee on Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture on 30 th March.

8. Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notice issued recently.

9. Any Other Business

• Update on the Northern Regional College’s Workforce Development Forum Roadshow
  Rev Dr Coulter updated Members on the Northern Regional College’s Workforce Development Forum Roadshow that he and Mr McClarty attended, on behalf of the Committee, on 11 th February.
• STEM discussion forum event with DEL, DE & DETI Committees – 12:00pm in the Long Gallery
  Members noted arrangements for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) discussion forum event to be held in the Long Gallery at 12:00pm on 18 th February.
• Press article from the Irish News, 12 th February, re University of Ulster’s strategic plans
  Members noted a recent press article, published in the Irish News on 12 th February, relating to the University of Ulster’s Strategic Plans.
• SL1 – Annual Up-Rating of Pensions and Benefits
  Members noted a proposed Statutory Rule from the Department for Social Development regarding the annual up-rating of pensions and benefits and raised no issues with the proposed rule.
• Revised Forward Work Programme – for information
  Members noted the revised Forward Work Programme for the Committee.
• CCEA’s Annual “Score” Concert
  Members noted an invitation, issued to all Members, to attend the CCEA’s annual concert on 27 th February 2009.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 25 th February 2009 at 10.30am in Newtownabbey Jobs and Benefits Office, Church Road, Newtownabbey.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11:46am.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
25 February 2009