Assembly Committees Meet with Minister to Discuss Michelin Jobs Loss

The Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Committee for Employment and Learning met with the Minister for Employment and Learning on Tuesday 1 December to discuss impending job losses at the Michelin factory in Ballymena.

Chairperson of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, Patsy McGlone MLA said: “Members from both my Committee and the Committee for Employment and Learning are deeply concerned by this latest job loss announcement and as such had asked to speak to the Minister as a matter of urgency.  We were keen to find out what the Department for Employment and Learning is doing to assist staff at the plant and the Minister did provide us with detailed information on the reskilling and retraining initiatives that are being made available.

“The Committee noted the £5m development fund announced by Michelin to assist with investment in the locality which should support people who wish to set up their own businesses.”

Chairperson of the Employment and Learning Committee, Robin Swann MLA said: “As an MLA for North Antrim, the constituency most affected by the Michelin job losses I personally wanted reassurance from the Minister that all that can be done for those set to lose their jobs is being done. 

“Members from both Committees asked the Minister to outline how he was supporting those affected, listened to his plans for conducting a skills audit and for the contracting of the Northern Regional College to deliver specific skills courses.”

ENDS