COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 10 MARCH 2010
COUNCIL CHAMBER, QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jonathan Bell MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Andy Cooper (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Bill Kinnear (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
The meeting opened at 10. 04 am in public session
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Briefing from Action for Children in relation to the NEETs Inquiry
The Committee agreed to proceed with agenda item 2.
Ross McCrea, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, and Paul Moore, Strategic Director, briefed the Committee on the work of Action for Children in addressing young people not in employment, education or training. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
10.10 am Mr William Irwin joined the meeting
10.23 am Mr Trevor Clarke joined the meeting
11.03 am Mr Paul Butler left the meeting
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2010
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
- Apprenticeships Update
Members noted the regular update from the Department on apprenticeship redundancies - Workforce Future Skills Analysis
Members noted the report of the Belfast Workforce Development Forum analysing future skills needs. - Holyland Action Plan
Agreed: The Committee considered briefing papers from the Universities together with the Inter-agency Group Saint Patrick’s Day Implementation Plan for the Holyland area of Belfast, and welcomed the pro-active approach taken by the authorities. Members further agreed to issue a public statement endorsing the approach taken by the authorities concerned. - Proposed Amendments to the Employment Bill
Agreed: Members noted the Minister’s response to concerns expressed by NIC-ICTU regarding proposed amendments to the Employment Bill, and agreed to contact the union for its view on the compromise offered by the Minister - Report into Procurement Practice
Agreed: The Committee noted the Report from the Finance and Personnel Committee on its Inquiry into Public Procurement Policy and Practice in Northern Ireland, and agreed to defer further consideration until its next meeting - Proposed Merger between QUB and Stranmillis College
Agreed: The Committee noted the business plan for the above and agreed to defer further consideration until its next meeting - Hughes Christensen factory closure
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to the above. - Review of Higher Education Strategy
Members noted correspondence from the Minister in response to their concerns regarding the consideration of regional issues in the terms of reference of the Review.
4. Draft Committee motion: The ‘Get on Board’ programme
The Committee considered the draft motion supporting the ‘Get on Board’ programme and agreed that it should be forwarded to the Business Office for scheduling.
11.11 am Mr Jonathan Bell left the meeting
5. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses.
6. Departmental Press Notices and Press cuttings
Members noted a number of recent Departmental press notices and other extracts from the local press.
7. Any Other Business
- Higher Education in China
Agreed: Members noted the above paper prepared by Assembly Research - Forward Work Programme – for information
Members noted the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for the period of March to June 2010.
8. Briefing from Queen’s University, Belfast
Members were briefed by Professor Peter Gregson, Vice-Chancellor, and James O’Kane, Registrar and Chief Operating Officer, on funding issues and the significance of entrepreneurship in all aspects of the University. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11.18 am Mr Jonathan Bell rejoined the meeting
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 24 March 2010 in Room 30, Parliament Building.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.40 am