COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 16TH JUNE 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch 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 Bill Kinnear (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Robin Newton MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
The meeting opened at 12:44pm in closed session
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
The Clerk informed Members that both the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson would not be in attendance and invited nominations for a temporary Chairperson.
It was proposed by Mr Hilditch and seconded by Mrs McGill that Mr Easton takes the chair of the Committee for today’s meeting.
Agreed: It was agreed that Mr Easton take the chair for the meeting.
1. Consideration of Draft Committee Report on the Way Forward for Apprenticeships
Agreed: The Committee agreed to an amendment to the previously approved “Executive Summary” section of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Introduction section, paragraphs 1 to 7, of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the “Context” section, paragraphs 8 to 16, of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the “Apprenticeships NI” section, paragraphs 17 to 18, of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the “Findings” section, paragraphs 19 to 24, of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed, subject to amendments, the “Issues raised by stakeholders during evidence sessions” section, paragraphs 25 to 53, of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the “Essential Skills” section, paragraphs 54 to 57, of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the “Inspection and Auditing” section, paragraphs 58 to 60, of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the “STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects” section, paragraphs 61 to 68, of the report.
12.58pm Mr Attwood joined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed, subject to amendments, the “Further issues for consideration” section, paragraphs 69 to 135, of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed, subject to amendments, the “Conclusion” section, paragraphs 136 to 141, of the report.
2. Agreed Actions
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister seeking clarity in relation to Members’ concerns around the Review of licenses for Sector Skills Councils.
Agreed: Members agreed to request an update from the Department on its meeting with Northern Ireland Electricity regarding their apprenticeships programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the report be added to the agenda for the Committee meeting on 17th June for final approval.
Agreed: Members agreed that a draft press release should be considered for issue at the meeting on 17th June.
3. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 17th June at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Acting Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1:12pm.