Meeting of EDF Skills Sub-Group
16th January 2006,
Sub-Group Members:
Michael Maguire
Heather Stevens
Chrissie McCann
Gordon Bell
Richard McMullan
Apologies
Will Haire
1.
Welcome
and Minutes of Last Meeting
The Chairman welcomed members to the first meeting of
2006 and greeted Dr Graham Gudgin who had been invited to present on the
Economic Forecasting Model currently being finalised.
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed without
amendment.
2.
Economic
Forecasting Model
The Chairman explained that a similar presentation
(see link at end of minutes) had been made to another of the Sub-Groups and he
believed it would be a useful tool to support the work of the Skills Sub-Group.
Specifically it could be used to test the potential impact of the proposals and
expenditure on the Skills Strategy.
Dr Gudgin explained that the main project was being
supported by DETI and related specifically to EDF Vision targets and forecasts.
Complimentary work was also on-going with
He introduced his presentation by explaining how
the model could be used to:
Additionally, the Forecasting and Simulation Model
could identify gaps in both data and understanding whilst providing an
effective monitoring tool to assist the process of policy development. A
detailed programme of work continues and the model should be ready for use
within the next 2-3 weeks.
In response to questions on data presented Dr.
Gudgin stressed the growing importance of skills to economic growth and in particular
graduate skills. Currently 1:3 people in the highest performing region i.e.
London were graduates compared to 1:6 in NI although this was predicted to
increase with both more studying and staying locally. It was also noted with
concern that the numbers of school leavers entering FE continued to fall and
despite over 6000 achieving Level 3 qualifications annually this fell behind
many other EU countries.
The Chairman reflected that the presentation
contained considerable useful and thought provoking information and it was
agreed that the Model would greatly help the work of the Group. The Group
agreed to revisit this topic once work on the model had been completed.
ACTION:
3.
Skills Strategy Implementation
Heather Stevens provided an update on progress
indicating that Ministerial approval was expected during w/c 23rd
January. It was also planned that the key issues within the Skills Strategy
would be addressed during the Skills Conference that was scheduled for the 28th
February 2006.
The Group positively endorsed the Strategy and
noted that a Programme Board under Heather’s direction would be established to
steer the considerable programme of work involved delivery on more than 20
projects. It was agreed that before publication further work would be necessary
to establish appropriate output targets and it was suggested that the Regional
Forecast model could be beneficial in supporting this work. It was confirmed
that this was part of existing work being undertaken by
The Chairman emphasised the importance of
finalising and agreeing priorities and performance measures as a matter of
urgency with a view to reporting on progress at the next EDF Plenary scheduled
for early March. On the question of
Priority Skill Areas for NI, Heather Stevens explained that this would be
addressed by the new Skills Expert Group (SEG). Heather reported that the SEG
would draw upon both national and international expertise and included Michael
Maguire and David Dobbin representing EDF interests. The inaugural meeting of
this new group was due to take place in advance of the Skills Conference. The
importance of the EDF Skills Sub-Group and SEG working in a complimentary and
non-competitive manner was stressed.
The positioning of Investors in People as a key
project supporting improvement of workforce skills levels was endorsed. It was
suggested by members that Invest Northern Ireland could be more actively
engaged in promoting the use of the Investors in People Standard by its
clients. The Group also agreed that given the cross departmental nature of many
aspects of the work of the Skills Sub-Group that representation by DETI and /or
Invest Northern
ACTION:
4.
Adult Skills
Heather Stevens explained that this project will
determine the policy on the up-skilling of employees and would consider options
including a Level 2 entitlement and increased use of apprenticeships. Funding
totalling £3m had been allocated. As a first step, a Project Steering Group
needed to be established and EDF representation was invited. The Chairman
suggested that this may be an area of particular interest to Tom Gillen and he
should be invited to participate.
ACTION:
Secretariat - to discuss possible participation with Tom Gillen.
5.
Skills for Innovation
The Group were invited to nominate a member to
participate in a small team being set up by
6.
AOB
A full programme of meetings for 2006 was agreed as
follows;
30th
January
21st
February
6th
June
5th
September
5th December
7.
Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday 30th
January 2006 in Adelaide House,