COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 6TH MAY 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
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch 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 Andy Cooper (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Richard Keating (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Bill Kinnear (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened at 10:06am in public session
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Minutes of the meetings held on 29th April 2009
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
3. Briefing from apprentices on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships
10.08am Mr Attwood joined the meeting
10.11am Mr Butler joined the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from apprentices currently on apprenticeship programmes: Jenny McGeown, apprentice at Translink, David McCluskey, apprentice at Cahill Motors, Stuart Emmet, polymers apprentice, and Joseph Doyle, brickwork apprentice, on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
10.25am Mr Attwood left the meeting
4. Briefing from Bombardier Aerospace on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of Bombardier Aerospace: Rory Galway, Manager of Equal Opportunities and Technical Training, and Stephen Snowden, Manager of Technical Training, on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11.37am Mr McClarty left the meeting
11.50am Mrs McGill left the meeting
5. Departmental Response to the Committee’s First Report on Training for Success
Agreed: Members agreed that consideration of the Department’s response to the Committee’s First Report on Training for Success be deferred until 13th May for consideration.
6. Matters Arising
Briefing from Age Concern/Help the Aged – Committee motion & press release
Agreed: Members discussed and agreed, that an amended version of the Committee’s motion to the Assembly on the availability of discounted college courses for older people would be circulated in due course. The motion considered and subject to further amendment is as follows:
“That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to enter into discussions with the Regional Colleges with the aim of reinstating concessionary course fees for older people; acknowledging that the availability of these courses provides considerable social as well as educational benefits to older people”.
Update on situation regarding INTO-Universities Partnerships
12.00pm Mr Easton left the meeting
The Committee noted the paper updating on the Deputy Chairperson’s meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of Queens University on 6 th April.
Agreed: Following discussion on the issue the Committee agreed to write to the British Council raising concerns around the experiences of Chinese students.
ETI Committee visit to Irwin’s Bakery and Almac (19.3.09) – issues of concern and potential Committee work
The Deputy Chairperson and Mr Butler updated the Committee on the ETI Committee’s visit to Irwin’s Bakery and Almac on 19th March.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding the issues raised during the Irwin’s Bakery visit and to write to the ETI Committee regarding follow-up on the issues raised during the Almac visit.
Correspondence from the Audit Committee on International Financial Reporting Standards
The Deputy Chairperson updated the Committee on the Audit Committee’s correspondence on International Financial Reporting Standards.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed to write to the Minister seeking clarification on how the Department is progressing towards the new reporting standards.
Follow-up information to DEL presentation to Committee on 24 th March
Agreed: Members noted the information provided by the Department and agreed that the issue be raised at the Committee meeting on 13th May.
DEL correspondence to OFMdFM in relation to the Barroso Taskforce Report
Members noted the correspondence to the Department to the Chairperson of the OFMdFM Committee.
7. 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 Deputy Chairperson.
8. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notice issued recently.
9. Any Other Business
DEL Quarterly Research Review
Members noted the Department’s quarterly research review paper.
Revised Forward Work Programme
Member noted the Committee’s revised Forward Work Programme.
Meeting with Peter Bunting, Assistant General Secretary of the NI Committee, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NIC-ICTU)
Members noted a scheduled meeting of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson with Peter Bunting, Assistant General Secretary of the NI Committee, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NIC-ICTU) on 13th May at 1.00pm.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 13th May 2009 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:20pm.