COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 23rd April 2008
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
Mr Alastair Ross MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Rab McConaghy (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
The meeting opened at 10:34am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 9th April 2008
Agreed:The draft minutes were agreed.
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Departmental Update Briefing on Training for Success
The Committee received an update briefing from departmental officials Catherine Bell, Deputy Secretary, and Nuala Kerr, Director of Skills & Industry Division, on the Department’s roll-out of the Training for Success Programme. This was the last Departmental briefing in advance of the Committee’s reporting on the early stage of the programme, scheduled for end of May 2008. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
10:44am Mr McCrea joined the meeting
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Briefing from the University and College Union (UCU)
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the University and College Union (UCU): David Limb, Regional Secretary, Terry Keenan, Regional Chairperson, Jim McKeown, UCU Regional Official, and Monica Goligher, Chairperson of Belfast Metropolitan College branch, on the ongoing Further Education Lecturers’ pay dispute and the announcement of the possible merger of Stranmillis University College with Queen’s University of Belfast. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11:24am Mr McClarty left the meeting
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Matters Arising
11:38am Mr McClarty returned.
Teacher Education
The Chairperson updated Members on a meeting with the Minister and senior Departmental representatives on the issue of teacher education on 22nd April 2008.
Agreed:Members discussed and agreed, subject to amendment, correspondence to the Minister relating to teacher training at St. Mary’s and Stranmillis University Colleges and the announcement of a possible merger of Stranmillis University College with Queen’s University of Belfast.
Agreed:Teacher education to be the substantive item for the Minister to address at the Committee meeting scheduled for 7th May 2008.
Agreed:Teacher education to remain on the Committee’s agenda and forward work programme for the foreseeable future.
12:31pm Mr McClarty left the meeting
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Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed the proposed responses.
The Chairperson updated Members on a meeting with representatives of the National Union of Students / Union of Students in Ireland (NUS / USI) on 23rd April 2008.
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Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.
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Any Other Business
No other items of business were raised.
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 30th April 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:56pm.