COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 19TH NOVEMBER 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Robin Newton MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Richard Keating (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
The meeting opened at 10:32am in public session.
Members discussed the Committee press release, issued on 13th November, relating to proposals to increase student fees. Mr McClarty expressed the opinion that the press release should not have been issued without Committee discussion. Members agreed that, where possible, press releases should be discussed in Committee but acknowledged that his may not always be possible.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 12th November 2008
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Departmental briefing on Vocational Qualification Reform
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental Officials: Bernie O’Hare, Director of Higher Education Division, Daryl Young of FE Programmes Branch, and Nick Gibson of Learning and Curriculum Policy Branch, on the Department’s consultation on its proposed New Regulatory Arrangements for Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
10:57am Mr Attwood left the meeting
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 10:57am
The meeting resumed at 11:31am
11:32am Mr Butler joined the meeting
3. Subordinate Legislation
11:34am Ms Lo returned to the meeting
Members noted the following item of subordinate legislation:
- Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson write to the National Union of Students / Union of Students in Ireland and the University and College Union seeking their views on the implications of this rule and that it be added to the agenda for the next meeting.
4. Draft Terms of Reference for Stakeholder Review on Apprenticeships
Agreed: Members discussed and agreed the objective, terms of reference and work programme for its Stakeholder Review on the way forward on apprenticeships. Members also agreed that information relating to the review be published on the Assembly website.
5. Matters Arising
Member noted additional information from the Transferors Representatives’ Council following its evidence provided to the Committee on 22 nd October.
Agreed: The Deputy Chairperson updated Members on an event that a number of Committee Members attended on 11 th November hosted by Bill McGinnis, NI Advisor on Employment & Skills, and Chris Humphries, Chief Executive Officer of the Commission for Employment & Skills. Members agreed that Messrs McGinnis and Humphries be asked to brief the Committee on the NI Skills Agenda.
Members were updated on the schedule of meetings that have taken place between Stranmillis University College and the Queen’s University of Belfast in relation to their proposed merger.
Agreed: The Committee discussed its future work with respect to Alternative Dispute Resolution. Members also noted an initial research paper on this issue from the Assembly Research and Library Services. Members agreed that the Committee Clerk take the issue forward with Assembly Research Services.
Agreed: Members also agreed that representatives of the Departmental steering group be invited to brief the Committee.
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Labour Relations Agency, requesting the opportunity to brief the Committee on dispute resolution, and agreed that representatives be invited to brief the Committee on this issue.
6. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. The Committee also noted a number of forthcoming events to be attended by the Chairperson and/or Members.
7. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.
8. Any Other Business
Members noted an update paper from the Department for Employment and Learning and the Department of Education on the work of the Trustees of the All Ireland Scholarships to extend the Scholarships to Northern Ireland.
Agreed: Members agreed that consideration of major issues arising from the Review of Teacher Education, on 26 th November, be held in closed session.
Member noted correspondence from the Open University and St. Mary’s University College in relation to applications for, and the allocation of, places on their BEd and PGCE courses from September 2004.
Agreed: Members noted and agreed the publication of members attendance at committee meetings.
Members noted correspondence from the Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) and agreed that it be forwarded to the Department requesting an update on the CEIAG Strategy.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 26 th November 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11:55am.