COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 27th FEBRUARY 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr David McClarty 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 Basil McCrea MLA
The meeting opened at 10:33am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
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Briefing from Sector Skills Councils on Training for Success
10:36 Mr McCausland joined the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from the following representatives of Automotive Skills on the Department’s Training for Success programme.
- Martin Hutchinson, Automotive Skills National Manager (Northern Ireland)
- Raymond Crilly, Finance Director of TBF Thompson
- Terence Donnelly, Managing Director of Donnelly Group
The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Spratt declared an interest of previous business involvement with the Donnelly Group
Agreed: Members agreed that Assembly Research Services be asked to provide a research paper on the provision of centres of excellence used in Scotland for the automotive industry.
The Committee also received a briefing from Geoff Lamb, Operational Manager for Northern Ireland of Improve Ltd, on the Training for Success programme. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
12:17pm Mr Spratt left the meeting
12:41pm Mr McClarty left the meeting
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Briefing from the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC) on Training for Success
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC) on the Department’s Training for Success programme.
- John D’Arcy, CEO of ANIC
- Seamus Murphy, Director of North West Regional College
- Maura Lavery, Deputy Director of Belfast Metropolitan College
- Brian Doran, Director of Southern Regional College
The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the approach to completing its work on the scrutiny of the initial role-out of the Training for Success Programme.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 13th February 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
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Matters Arising
Members noted a summary paper on the Committee’s study visit to Omagh College on 20 th February.
Members also noted a background paper on the Wholesale and Retail Training Council (WRTC).
Members discussed arrangements for the forthcoming meeting / visit to Magherafelt Jobs & Benefits Office on 5 th March.
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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 the meeting with the Minister held on 19 th February 2008.
1:15pm Mrs McGill left the meeting
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Subordinate Legislation
Members noted a Statutory Rule laid in the Assembly Business office on The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (NI) 2008. The Rule is not subject to Assembly proceedings.
Members noted and were content with the following item of subordinate legislation:
- Amendments to the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999.
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Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.
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Any Other Business
Agreed: Members agreed that the Department be asked to provide an update on the current position in relation to Carter & Carter Plc.
The Chairperson updated Members on the meeting with the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment held on 26 th February.
Members noted that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairman will meet with representatives of the University and College Union on 28 th February in relation to the ongoing FE Lecturers’ pay dispute and the Lecturers’ Premature Retirement Scheme. Members were invited to attend this meeting.
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 5 th March 2008 at 10.30am in Magherafelt Jobs & Benefits Office / Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1:17pm.