Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2009/2010
Date: 14 April 2010
Venue: Room 30
The meeting opened in public session at 10. 00 am.
The Chairperson welcomed the new members and thanked previous members, including the former Chairperson, Ms Sue Ramsey, for their contribution to the work of the Committee.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2010
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
3. Briefing from Departmental officials on Workforce Future Skills Needs Analysis
Victor Dukelow, Head of Analytical Services, and Colin Woods, Head of Skills Delivery Branch, provided the Committee with a summary of the future skills needs analysis for the six area Workforce Development Forums. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: Members agreed that officials should provide details of expenditure on priority re-skilling and quarterly reports on the progress of the newly appointed local skills advisors.
10.06 am Mr Paul Butler joined the meeting
10.16 am Mr Trevor Clarke joined the meeting
10.50 am Mr Trevor Clarke left the meeting
4. Briefing from representatives of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum in relation to the NEETs Inquiry
Chris Quinn, Transitional Director, and Neil Symington and Caroline McCracken, Participation Workers, briefed the Committee on the work of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum in addressing young people not in employment, education or training. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
10.59 am Mr Trevor Clarke rejoined the meeting
Agreed : The Committee discussed the proposed study visit to Scotland and Wales to see projects which are engaging with young people not in employment, education or training, and agreed that the Clerk should circulate a draft programme
5. Matters Arising
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Independent Review of Economic Policy (IREP) – Implementation Plan
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee, inviting comment on the recommendations of the IREP Implementation Plan, and agreed that a final response would be considered at the next meeting
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Apprenticeships Update
Members noted the regular update from DEL on the number of apprentices who have been made redundant in recent weeks. The Clerk also reminded new members of the forthcoming meeting between Departmental officials and stakeholders, which is being facilitated by the Committee to provide a forum for discussion of issues relating to Programme-led Apprenticeships.
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Establishment of Ofqual
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, and from Katharine Tattersall, Chair of Ofqual, outlining the role of this new regulatory body. Members agreed to write to the Department requesting details of the cost of the Ofqual service in Northern Ireland.
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Review of 2010/11 Spending Plans
Agreed: Members agreed on a response to correspondence from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster on the recent DEL Review of Spending Plans
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‘Get on Board’ programme - Committee motion
Members noted that the above motion has been scheduled for debate on Tuesday, 20 April 2010.
6. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses.
7. Departmental Press Notices and Press cuttings
Members noted a number of recent Departmental press notices and other extracts from the local press.
8. Any Other Business
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Research papers: EU Funding
Agreed: Members noted the above research papers forwarded by the OFMDFM Committee for information, and agreed to request a briefing from DEL on European funding issues
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Proposed Changes to the Construction Industry Training Board
Members noted correspondence from DEL outlining proposed changes to the subordinate legislation governing the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and opening a period of public consultation.
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Research paper: NI Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance strategy
Agreed: Members noted the above Research paper and agreed to request a briefing on this issue in relation to the NEETs inquiry.
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Cancellation of forthcoming Committee meetings
Agreed: The Committee agreed to cancel meetings scheduled for 28 April and 5 May in view of members’ commitments prior to the General Election.
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Forward Work Programme – for information
Members noted the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for the period of April to June 2010.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 21 April 2010 at the Lisburn campus of the South-Eastern Regional College
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.10 pm
