COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 30th April 2008
Room 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Ms Anna Lo 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 Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
The meeting opened at 10:34am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 23 rd April 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
2. Automotive industry training providers briefing on Training for Success
10:40am Anna Lo joined the meeting
10:48am Robin Newton joined the meeting
The Committee noted a paper from Assembly Research and Library Services on the Scottish delivery model of automotive modern apprenticeships.
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the automotive industry: Martin Hutchinson, Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), Sean McCullagh, Chief Executive of Transport Training Services, Ken Philpott, Belfast Metropolitan College, and Basil Barnes, Chair of the Association of Motor Vehicle Teachers, on the Department’s Training for Success programme. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11:35am David McClarty left the meeting
3. Briefing from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Training for Success
The Committee received a briefing from Officials of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU): Peter Bunting (Assistant General Secretary, ICTU), Jim McKeown (UCU Regional Official), and Liam Gallagher (Derry Trades Council), on the Department’s Training for Success programme. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
4. Teacher Training
Members noted a number of pieces of correspondence in relation to the proposed merger of Stranmillis University College with the Queen’s University of Belfast.
Members also noted a press release from Stranmillis University College and correspondence from the Chairperson to the Minister on the merger.
Agreed: Members discussed and agreed the terms of reference for a specialist adviser to advise and assist the Committee with its scrutiny of proposed policy changes to teacher education.
12:27pm Claire McGill left the meeting
5. Matters Arising
Members noted a position paper from the University and College Union (UCU) on the ongoing Further Education Lecturers’ pay dispute.
Agreed: Members noted and agreed to a request from the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC) to brief the Committee on 7 th May 2008.
6. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed the proposed responses.
Agreed: Members agreed to a request from the NI Union of Supported Employment to brief the Committee.
The Chairperson updated Members on a meeting with Bumblebees Nursery on 30 th April 2008.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 7 th May 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:37pm.