HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: THURSDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2001

Present:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Mrs Joan Carson MLA
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr William Hay MLA
Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA
Mr John Kelly MLA

In Attendance:
Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Anne Colville
Ms Catherine McGrattan

Apologies:
Prof Monica McWilliams MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA

Meeting opened at 2.05pm in open session.

1. Apologies
   Apologies are detailed above.

2. Approval of draft minutes of 15 Febuary 2001




Agreed as amended, "that the reference to Ms Carson in the list of members present, should be amended to Mrs Carson."

Proposed: Mr Dallat. Seconded: Mrs Carson.

3. Matters arising




A detailed summary of the Department's bids for Executive Programme Funds was issued. Members were to consider this in preparation for next week's briefing from officials. Members were reminded that the paper was confidential.

Extracts from the Enterprise, Trade and Industry Committee's draft report on Strategy 2010, had not yet been received.

Members agreed that, in preparation for their examination of the role of National Training Organisations, the Clerk should request written briefing from the Department on the number and remit of NTOs, and how they interact both with the Training and Employment Agency and Boards in sectors such as construction and textiles.

Action: Clerk.

4. Chairperson's Business




The Chair updated members on his discussion with Dr Kenneth Bishop on the role of PhD graduates in the Northern Ireland Labour Market. It was significant to the current Inquiry that a balance is maintained between the need to improve the intelligence infrastructure and the danger of over-supply of particular types of qualified labour. Dr Bishop's opinion was that PhD graduates can be regarded by potential employers as over-qualified, with little work experience. Members agreed that information should be obtained from Queens University and the University of Ulster on the number and types of PhDs undertaken recently; whether graduates had subsequently found employment and whether there was an opportunity for students studying for PhDs to go on work placements.

Action: Clerk.

5. Correspondence

Members considered correspondence form the Department detailing current membership, remuneration and length of appointment of members of the Training and Employment Agency's Board. Details of membership of all the NDPBs and consultative committees within the Department's remit were also provided. Members requested further information on the T & EA Board Chairman's responsibilities; the frequency of their meetings; other allowances paid to Board members and the geographical spread of membership. Remuneration for members of all other NDPBs and consultative committees would also be requested.

Action: Clerk.

The Department had been unable to provide staff turnover figures requested for Further Education Colleges. This information was held by Teachers Branch in the Department of Education who had responsibility for running the payroll for Further Education College staff. A letter had been sent to the Chair of the Education committee seeking approval to obtain this information.

Action: Clerk.

Members noted the Department's Forward Programme for Legislation.

Members considered the Minister's letter and associated press release detailing the designation of tertiary sector institutions within the terms of Section 75's equality requirements.

2.50pm. Mr Hutchinson joined the meeting.

6. Evidence from Shorts Bombardier

As part of the Committee's Inquiry into "Education and Training for Industry," the Committee took evidence from Ms Carol Phillips, Director, Organisational Development, Technical Training and Staffing and Mr Harry McGonigle, Technical Training Manager from Shorts Bombardier. They discussed the following issues with members:

• reasons for plant location;




• how the company has encouraged recruitment from non-traditional backgrounds;




• whether certain skills are more effectively developed in the workplace as opposed to in an educational institution;




• the success of Shorts' apprenticeship scheme compared to Modern Apprenticeships in general;




• the responsiveness of the current education and training system to skills gaps; and




• their views of current graduate skills in relation to industry's needs.

Members were invited to visit Shorts Bombardier's Training Centre.

3.35pm. Mr Hutchinson left the meeting.

7. Briefing from Departmental officials on proposals to simplify Industrial Tribunals in Equal Pay cases




Members were briefed on the above proposals by Mr Roy Gamble, Assistant Secretary, Employment Rights and New Deal Division, and Mr William Caldwell, Deputy Principal, Industrial Relations and Redundancy Branch.

It was agreed that the Clerk would draft a response based on today's debate, for consideration at next week's meeting. Additionally, further research would be requested on the European Court of Justice model.

Action: Clerk.

3.55pm. Mr Hay left the meeting.

8. Any other business




Members considered Statutory Rule 54/2001: Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001,to increase the limits applying to certain awards form Industrial Tribunals and other amounts payable under employment legislation. Members had no objections to the policy implications of this Rule.

Members considered details of the Minister's announcement of an additional £7 million from the Science Research Investment Fund. Members welcomed the additional monies, and agreed that a Press Release should be issued by the Chairperson. Additional information should also be requested from the Department in the area.

Action: Clerk.

It was agreed that the written submission received from Shorts would be sent to the Education Committee, highlighting the particular example on numeracy that was highlighted during today's evidence session. The remit of the current Inquiry into "Education and Training for Industry" should be forwarded to all Committee Chairs.

Action: Clerk.

9. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee is to be held on Thursday, 1 March 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 152 in Parliament Buildings. This would be in closed session initially to consider the Department's bids for Executive Programme Funds and would also include evidence from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Members noted that a visit to Craigavon District Council had been arranged for Thursday 8 March 2001.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.30pm.

Esmond Birnie
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Chairperson, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee
1 March 2001

15 February 2001 / Menu / 1 March 2001