Press Release
10 March 2004

LOCAL BUSINESS A WINNER IN FURTHER EDUCATION REVIEW SAYS ECONOMIC FORUM

The new thrust towards linking what Further Education can provide, with what business needs are, was a key topic at today’s meeting of the Economic Development Forum (EDF).

Chairing the meeting at the Belfast Institute of Further & Higher Education (BIFHE), NIO Minister with responsibility for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Mr. Ian Pearson MP said:

“Last week I welcomed the fact that the FE Strategy paper put the economy at the core of its ambition. The meeting today, appropriately at BIFHE, gave us opportunity to debate how we can harness that ambition to develop an innovative, competitive economy.

“Members seen at first hand examples of the very tangible ways in which interactive learning can be used to foster economic growth specifically in the local hospitality and manufacturing industries. We need to build on this, constantly seeking ways of enhancing the link between education and the economy. ”

Nigel Smyth, CBI said, “The Forum’s recent statement highlighted the need for closer working between the business and education sectors and identified this as being one of the key weaknesses facing the regional economy.  The proposed new economic focus for colleges will go a considerable way in addressing this and, by increasing the skills of the current and future workforce, will help boost the competitiveness and productivity of local companies.”

Peter Bunting, speaking on behalf of NIC/ICTU said, “The Further Education sector plays a vital role in improving skills levels which, in turn, will open up opportunities for better paid jobs.  The Trade Union movement sees skills as the way forward for helping to sort out the appalling poverty levels in Northern Ireland.”

The Forum also discussed the work of the Strategic Investment Board and Denis Rooney, IOD, said “A competitive physical infrastructure will be vital if Northern Ireland is to attract inward investment and support indigenous growth.  The planning, funding and implementation of major investment programmes must be streamlined to ensure that Northern Ireland is well placed to compete globally.”

At today’s meeting members also discussed DETI’s Research Agenda, DEL’s Employability Taskforce, DRD’s Regional Transportation Strategy and DCAL’s recently published Unlocking Creativity Action Plan.

Notes for Editors

Further information about the Forum can be viewed or downloaded at www.edfni.com.

Further information about the Strategic Investment Board can be viewed or downloaded at www.sibni.org.

Media enquiries to DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9353 or email: pressoffice@detini.gov.uk