HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: THURSDAY, 29 MARCH 2001 ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA (Chairman)
Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Mrs Joan Carson MLA
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA
Prof Monica McWilliams MLA
In Attendance:
Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Anne Colville
Ms Catherine McGrattan
Apologies:
Mr John Kelly MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA
Meeting opened at 2.08pm in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Approval of draft minutes of 22 March 2001
Agreed. Proposed: Mr Dallat. Seconded: Mrs Carson.
Approval of draft minutes of 26 March 2001
Agreed. Proposed: Mr Dallat. Seconded: Mr Beggs.
3. Matters arising
Members were again reminded that the draft Regional Development Strategy was a "Restricted Policy" document and was to be returned to the Committee office as soon as possible.
Members noted the Clerk's summary of the main issues in DHFETE's draft Communications and Marketing Strategy and directed the Clerk to draft a response for consideration at the first meeting after the Easter Recess. It was noted that no reference to the Department's proposed change of name was included in the draft.
Action: Clerk
Members noted that the Second Stage of the Department for Learning and Employment Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 3 April 2001. It was agreed that the Chairman would respond to the Minister, welcoming the proposal and the opportunity for the Committee to see the Bill at draft stage. It was agreed that the Committee Stage of the Bill should be included in the Work Programme after the Easter Recess and that officials should be called to detail the projected costs associated with the proposed change of title.
Action: Clerk
Members noted the Northern Ireland Audit Office's Report on the Northern Ireland Appropriation Accounts 1999/2000, detailing the Training and Employment Agency's failure to follow proper purchasing procedures in awarding a contract to design and produce a new corporate identity. The Public Accounts Committee has requested information from DHFETE's Permanent Secretary and would keep the Committee informed of developments.
4. Correspondence
Members noted the Terms of Reference for Inquiries to be undertaken by both the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and the Committee of the Centre. Members agreed that the respective Committees should be thanked for the information and asked to forward any recommendations, which fell within the remit of the Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee, at draft report stage.
Action: Clerk
Members noted that the Department of Social Development is to forward a draft Statutory Rules to the DSD Committee on the introduction of the ONE initiative in the Dungannon area from 14 May 2001.
2.20pm. Mr Carrick left the meeting.
2.20pm. Mr Byrne and Mr Hutchinson joined the meeting.
5. Legislation
Members considered the Examiner of Statutory Rules' Report on Statutory Rule 77/2001. The Committee had been briefed on the policy implications on 8 February. It was agreed that "the Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee has considered Statutory Rule 77/2001, "The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001," and has no objection to the Rule."
Members considered Statutory Rule 110/2001 "The New Deal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001, along with the relevant Report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules. Members noted the response from Mr Gamble to a query raised at the briefing. It was agreed that "the Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee has considered Statutory Rule 110/2001, "The New Deal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001," and has no objection to the Rule."
The Clerk was directed to notify the Business Office of the outcome of the Committee's deliberations.
Action: Clerk
2.30pm. Prof McWilliams joined the meeting.
6. Evidence from the Hastings Hotel Group
As part of the Committee's Inquiry into "Education and Training for Industry," the Committee heard evidence from Mr Howard Hastings, Managing Director, Hastings Hotel Group. Following a short presentation detailing the company's interfaces with higher and further education establishments and their relationships with the T&EA regarding the provision of "in-company" training, Mr Hastings answered questions in the following areas:
the relative merits of practical and theoretical skills training;
basic literacy and numeracy skills of new recruits;
mechanisms for the co-ordination of NVQs within the industry;
the effectiveness of the company's Modern Apprenticeship Programme; the effect on skills levels of increased competition within the industry; and
the culture of customer care in Northern Ireland compared to international standards.
2.55pm. Mrs Carson left the meeting.
7. Evidence from the Northern Ireland Economic Council
Members heard evidence from Ms Janet Trewsdale, Chairperson, and Mr Aidan Gough, Acting Director, from the Northern Ireland Economic Council. The following areas were discussed:
the relevance of the "Massachusetts' Experience" to Northern Ireland;
suggested models for the future development of integration between universities, schools and the further education sector;
how research and development could be more responsive to the needs of industry;
the demand for qualified students from industry within Northern Ireland; and
the output of IT graduates in Northern Ireland compared to the Republic of Ireland.
3.50pm. Prof McWilliams left the meeting.
4.08pm. Mr Byrne left the meeting.
As the meeting was non-quorate, the Chairman suspended the meeting at 4.08pm.
4.13pm. Mr Byrne joined the meeting.
As the meeting was quorate, the Chairman resumed the meeting at 4.13pm.
8. Any Other Business
The Chairman informed members that, along with other Committee Chairs, he had met with Mr Loughran, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, to discuss the Assembly Committees' access to sensitive information. Another meeting was planned in the future.
Members noted an invitation from Sir Reg Empey, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to a presentation on the social economy on Tuesday 3 April at 4.00pm in the Confex Centre, Stormont Hotel.
Members noted that the Minister for Finance and Personnel was scheduled to make a staement in the Assembly on Monday 2 April on the first allocation of Executive Programme Funds. This would be followed by members' questions and relevant information provided by the Committee office was tabled.
Mr Hutchinson informed members that a debate on the national minimum wage was scheduled for Tuesday 3 April. It was agreed that the Clerk would determine which Minister would respond to the motion and whether the Northern Ireland Assembly had the authority to set a different level of minimum wage to the rest of the United Kingdom. Relevant information would be issued to members on Monday morning.
Action: Clerk
9. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday, 5 April 2001 at 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start in DHFETE Headquarters in Adelaide House. The Chairman emphasised the importance of attendance, as this would be a very useful development session for the future work of the Committee. Members were advised to use the nearest public car park.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4.25pm.
Esmond Birnie
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Chairman, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee
5 April 2001
