COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 18TH MARCH 2009
SOUTH EASTERN REGIONAL COLLEGE, BANGOR CAMPUS
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Robin Newton MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr Richard Keating (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
The meeting opened at 10:33am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 th March 2009
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Briefing from the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils (ASSC) on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships
10.39am Mr Attwood joined the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC): John D’Arcy, Chief Executive Officer of ANIC, David Smith, Director of Economic Engagement at South Eastern Regional College, Catherine O’Mullan, Deputy Director for Support and Development at the Northern Regional College, and Raymond Whiteford, Senior Manager for STEM at Belfast Metropolitan College, on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
3. Briefing from the Quarry Products Association (QPA(NI)) on the Review of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
The Committee received a briefing from Gordon Best, Regional Director of QPA(NI), Philip Crozier, Managing Director of WJ&H Crozier, and Paul Coffey, Regional Manager of ProSkills, on the Review of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
4. Review of Workplace Dispute Resolution: Public Consultation
The Committee noted the Department’s draft public consultation document on Workplace Dispute Resolution and Members indicated approval that the draft document be presented to the Executive on 26 th March.
5. Matter Arising
Correspondence from Mary Coughlan T.D. on the Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from Mary Coughlan T.D., Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, on the Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme and agreed that to request for a briefing from her officials on the scheme.
Follow-up information from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) regarding “fostering” of apprentices
Members noted additional requested information from NIE on the issue of their being approached by the Department in relation to “fostering” of apprentices.
Follow-up information from the University and College Union (UCU) regarding correspondence relating to INTO-Universities Partnerships
Members noted additional requested information from the UCU on the issue of INTO-Universities Partnerships.
Update on the Chairperson/Deputy Chairperson’s meeting with the Permanent Secretary regarding INTO-Universities Partnerships
Agreed: Members noted an update paper on the Chairperson/Deputy Chairperson’s meeting with the Permanent Secretary regarding INTO-Universities Partnerships and agreed that the issue be addressed at the Committee meeting on 25 th March.
6. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. Members also noted forthcoming meetings and events that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson will attend.
7. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a Departmental press notice issued on 10 th March.
12.15pm Mr Newton left the meeting
8. Any Other Business
Irish Times Press Articles of 12 th March 2009
Members noted a number of press release published on 12 th March by the Irish Times.
12.20pm Mr Newton returned to the meeting
Recent Events in the Holylands Area of Belfast
Agreed: Members expressed their condemnation of events that took place in the Holylands area of Belfast on St Patrick’s Day and agreed to issue a press release condemning the behaviour of those students involved.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed to write to Queen’s University, the University of Ulster, Belfast Metropolitan College and the Minster on the issue.
Belfast Telegraph’s “Let’s get back to work” campaign
Agreed: Members agreed that the views of the respective Unions be sought on the Belfast Telegraph’s “Let’s get back to work” campaign and their alleged systematic reduction of their workforce in Northern Ireland.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 24 th March 2009 at 11.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:27pm.
Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
25 March 2009