HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: THURSDAY, 1 MARCH 2001 ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Dr Esmond Birnie (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Carrick (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Joe Byrne
Mrs Joan Carson
Mr William Hay
Mrs Mary Nelis
In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Anne Colville
Ms Catherine McGrattan
Apologies: Mr John Dallat
Mr Roger Hutchinson
Mr John Kelly
Prof Monica McWilliams
Meeting opened at 2.10pm in closed session.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Approval of draft minutes of 22 Febuary 2001
Agreed. Proposed: Mr Byrne. Seconded: Mr Hay.
The Chair informed members that the Department had asked for the discussion on the detail of their bids for Executive Programme Funds to be in closed session.
Extracts from the Enterprise, Trade and Industry Committee's draft report on Strategy 2010, had not yet been received.
The Chairman thanked Committee staff for the material for next week's debate on the Programme for Government, which was tabled.
Members considered a draft response to DHFETE's proposals to simplify and speed up Industrial Tribunals in Equal Pay cases and noted the research requested on the Advocate General's role in the European Court of Justice model. Members agreed that this should be issued to the Department.
Members considered a proposed submission to the Review Group on the Transfer Procedure and Secondary Level Education, which had been drafted by the Chair. It was agreed that this could be issued, subject to the following amendments: reference should be made to "a role for Further Education Colleges in providing vocational training for persons of 14 years and over in any vocational streamlining which may ensue from the Review" and "the catering, tourism and hospitality sectors should be included in the key sections of the Northern Ireland economy referred to in Paragraph 4."
It was agreed that the submission should also be copied to the Education Committee and put on the website.
Action: Clerk.
2.25pm. Mrs Carson joined the meeting.
Members considered the Examiner of Statutory Rules' report on Statutory Rules 37/2001, 38/2002 and 39/2001. Members had previously considered these on 15 February and were content with these three pieces of secondary legislation. The Statutory Rules were formally agreed:
"The Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee has considered Statutory Rule 37/2001, "The Industrial Tribunals (1996 Order) (Application of Conciliation Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001," and has no objection to the Rule."
"The Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee has considered Statutory Rule 38/2001, "Recognition and Derecognition Ballots (Qualified Persons) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001," and has no objection to the Rule."
"The Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee has considered Statutory Rule 39/2001, "Trade Union Recognition (Method of Collective Bargaining) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001," and has no objection to the Rule."
The Clerk to inform the Business Office that the Committee has no objections to these Statutory Rules.
Action: Clerk.
Members noted Derry City Council's report, "Higher and Further Education and Economic Development" which would be relevant to the current Inquiry.
Members noted an invitation from the Construction Industry Training Board to their Skillbuild competition and to visit the Board's training facilities at Nutts Corner. Members agreed to inform the Clerk if they intended to go to the Skillbuild competition. The Clerk will reply to the Board indicating that the Committee may visit their facilities after Easter.
Members considered a letter from the Minster detailing the creation of two North/South Placement Programmes, the SME Business Development Programme and the Cross-Border Trade Programme. Whilst members welcomed the targeting of resources at SMEs, it was agreed to ask for further information on all graduate placements.
Action: Clerk.
6. Briefing from Departmental officials on their bids for Executive Programme Funds
Members were briefed on the above proposals by Dr Robson Davison, Higher Education and Student Support Division, and Mr George O'Doherty, Head of Finance and European Funding Division.
Members broadly welcomed the bids for allocations across three financial years and noted that a reference to student support was excluded, as this is part of a separate funding process.
Members agreed to debate how the bids should be prioritised and agree a final response at next week's meeting.
7. Evidence from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
As part of the Committee's Inquiry into "Education and Training for Industry," the Committee heard evidence from Ms Joan Gormley, Regional Manager and Mr John Lavery, from QCA. They outlined the key areas of their work including: quality assurance of NVQs, guidance and support to employers; information and customer services; and the standards development programme.
Members questioned the delegation on the following:
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whether there was a need for two regulatory authorities in Northern Ireland;
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the relationship between the T&EA and National Training Organisations in drawing up standards for courses;
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why there was such a clear demarcation between education and training;
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the need for rationalisation regarding the duplication of qualifications;
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the quality assurance of training outcomes across Northern Ireland; and
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the auditing role of the QCA.
4.10pm. Mr Hay left the meeting.
Members agreed to keep their proposed visits to Craigavon Borough Council on 8th March and to Denmark from 13th-16th March under review in light of the current outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. The Clerk will seek advice from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Action: Clerk
Members agreed to consider a 'Draft Code of Practice on Access to Workers during Recognition and Derecognition Ballots' at next week's meeting. The Clerk will arrange for a briefing paper on the key issues raised by the Code.
Action: Clerk
Members agreed to take stock of their Inquiry into "Education and Training for Industry" on return from their visit to Denmark.
Action: Clerk
9. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee is to be held on Thursday, 8 March 2001 at 1.00pm at Craigavon Borough Council. Mr Byrne gave his apologies in advance.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.20pm.
Dr Esmond Birnie
Chairperson, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee
8 March 2001
