Meeting of EDF Skills Sub-Group, 8 September 2006, Adelaide House, Belfast

Present:

Michael Maguire (Outgoing Chair)

Declan Billington (Incoming Chair)

Raymond Mullan (NKIFHE)

Nuala Kerr (DEL)

Michael Gould (DEL)

Catherine Bell (DEL)

Judith Shaw (DEL)

David Woods (DE)

Victor Jordan (INI)

Apologies:

Chrissie McCann

Tom Gillen

Anne O’Reilly

Richard McMullan

1. Welcome and Introductions

The chair introduced Declan Billington to the group and explained that Declan will take over as chairperson of the EDF Skills Sub-Group. Catherine Bell also introduced Nuala Kerr who has replaced Heather Stevens as Director of Skills and Industry Division and Michael Gould, Programme Manager for the Skills Strategy.

2. Minutes of Meeting on 31 May 2006

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed without amendment.

3. Careers Education and Guidance – update on “Future Search”

Judith Shaw presented a paper giving an update on “Improving the skills levels of the workforce” with key recommendations which DE have signed up to. Catherine Bell emphasised that this was one part of the 14 – 19 Provision. The Skills Sub-Group agreed with the objectives and strategy; however they highlighted that the issue is providing different structures to deliver.

Catherine Bell explained that Michael Gould has experience of a one stop shop model in the US and that Senior management in DE would assist in the shared commitment in this area.

4. EDF Objectives – Dept of Education Role.

David Woods presented 3 papers and updated the group on current legislation that had been passed which explicitly recognised the economic element in education. This will allow for more flexibility within the curriculum and requires a substantial culture change for schools. This will also require joint working with the Vocational Educational Programme (VEP) and DEL.

The chair offered assistance and support from EDF and IoD to help and shape implementation of the economic vision.

5. DEL / INI linkages

Victor Jordan reported that the planned paper on DEL/INI linkages was at an early draft stage and not yet finalised as there was much ongoing activity between the 2 organisations. INI will continue to work with DEL on the paper and it will be presented at the next EDF meeting.

The discussion ensued about model from North Carolina and Republic of Ireland where schools are used as a selling point for inward investment. Catherine Bell stated that a “memo of understanding” would be drawn up between both organisations.

Raymond Mulllan invited the group to visit his colleges and offered that the next Skills Sub-Group meeting could be held there.

Declan Billington suggested that INI client executives attend a presentation in the FE colleges.

ACTION: Agenda item for next meeting strengthen linkages between FE colleges and INI.

6. FE courses and Student numbers

Catherine Bell briefed the group on the spreadsheet that had been circulated in advance of the meeting. She contextualised the figures by explaining that the data is from when FE colleges were working under the “widening access” policy and not the “FE Means Business” current policy. The group also discussed percentage of uptake in the priority skills areas.

The chair stated that EDF had not seen the finalised Medium Term Strategic Priorities (MTSP) work from Graham Gudgin.

The chair again offered that EDF would have a role to play in broadening perceptions of FE colleges.

ACTION: Nuala Kerr to take forward.

7. AOB

Declan Billington advised the group that he is looking forward to his new role as chairperson and has a strong interest in this area.

Catherine Bell thanked Michael Maguire for his work to date and said the Department will continue to work with him on the Skills Expert Group.

8. Date of next meeting

It was noted that the next meeting would be 21 November 2006 at 2.00pm in Adelaide House boardroom.