COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 25TH MARCH 2009
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 William Irwin 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:
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
The meeting opened at 10:05am in public session. The Deputy Chairperson took the Chair.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meetings held on 18 th and 24 th March 2009
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Briefing from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships
10:06am Ms Ramsey joined the meeting and took the Chair
10:07am Mr Butler joined the meeting
10:06am Mr Irwin joined the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): Wilfred Mitchell OBE, FSB NI Policy Chairman, and Carolyn Brown, FSB NI Policy Manager, on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: Members agreed that the issue of Group Training Associations, proposed by the FSB, should be investigated further.
3. Briefing from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on Workplace Dispute Resolution
The Committee received a briefing from Deirdre Stewart, Assistant Director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), on the Committee’s work on workplace dispute resolution. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
4. Tabled Items
Press Articles
Members noted a number of press articles, published on 25 th March, relating to financial management at Further Education colleges.
Mr Butler declared an interest in Further Education colleges as a previous college lecturer
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Public Accounts Committee requesting an indication if it proposes to report on this issue at a later date.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister requesting a copy of the report of the Northern Ireland Audit Office referred to in the article.
Agreed: Members also agreed to issue a Committee press release in response to the articles.
Apprenticeships, Children, Skills and Learning Bill
Members noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to the Apprenticeships, Children, Skills and Learning Bill in advance of the Assembly debate of the issue scheduled for Monday 30 th March.
Arrangements for Committee study visit to the Cedar Foundation on 1 st April
Members noted arrangements for the Committee’s study visit to the Cedar Foundation’s Training Services on 1 st April 2009.
5. Matter Arising
Update on meeting with the Permanent Secretary regarding INTO-Universities Partnerships
Members noted the recent meeting of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson with Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary, and Mr Fergus Devitt, Director of Higher Education Division, in relation to INTO-Universities Partnerships. Members also noted further correspondence from the Queen’s University of Belfast on this issue.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson take up the offer to meet with the Vice-Chancellor of the University and that the issue remain on the agenda for future Committee meetings.
10:52am Mr McClarty left the meeting
Committee Briefing papers
Agreed: The Committee agreed that members of the governing bodies of relevant stakeholder organisations should receive a copy of the Committee’s briefing papers to ensure that they are kept informed of the work of the Committee.
Minister’s response to Members’ concerns with Programme for Government
Members noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to concerns raised at the Committee’s meeting on 25 th February regarding the Programme for Government.
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 number of Departmental press notice issued recently.
8. Any Other Business
Monthly Labour Market Report – March 2009
Members noted the March publication of the monthly labour market report from the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Revised Forward Work Programme – for information
Members noted the revised Forward Work Programme for the Committee.
Further work of the Way Forward for Apprenticeships
Agreed: Members agreed that the Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment (NIUSE) should be asked to brief the Committee on the Investigation into the Way Forward for Apprenticeships.
9. Briefing from the Equality Commission on Workplace Dispute Resolution
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Equality Commission: Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner, and Eileen Lavery, Head of Strategic Enforcement, on the Committee’s work on workplace dispute resolution. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11:56am Mr Attwood left the meeting
10. Briefing from Citizens’ Advice
Mr Newton declared an interest as a member of the Belfast Board of Citizens’ Advice
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of Citizens’ Advice: Diane Wilson, National Minimum Wage Project Manager, Paul Herink, Director of Information Services, and Siobhan Harding, Information and Policy Officer, on issues of concern. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next formal meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 29 th April 2009 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings. The Committee will undertake study visits to the Cedar Foundation on Wednesday 1 st April and to Boston MA / Raleigh NC / Washington DC from 19 th April to 25 th April.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:37pm.
Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
29 April 2009