Meeting of EDF Skills Sub-Group 14 August 2007, Boardroom, Adelaide House

Present: Declan Billington Chair

Nuala Kerr (DEL)

Victor Jordan (Invest NI)

Professor Ken Brown (QUB)

Damien McGivern (UUJ)

Michael Gould (DEL)

Tom Gilllen (ICTU)

Robson Davison (DE)

Roy Bell (DEL)

Marc MacPherson (DEL)

Kieran Mannion (DEL)

Claire Beattie (Outgoing Secretariat)

Noel Griffin (Incoming Secretariat)

Apologies: Mike Mullan

Retirement: Brian Henry

1. Minutes of Meeting on 22 May 2007

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved without amendment. The chair checked progress against the action points on CITB and CSR.

2. New Members of Skills Sub-Group

The group introduced themselves, welcoming guest speakers to the meeting.

3. Summary of the Management and Leadership Strategy for discussion

Kieran Mannion provided a verbal update on the Strategy and challenges facing Northern Ireland’s SMEs. He also highlighted programmes which attract funding under his remit, specifically mentioning Intro, MAP and the MLDP mentoring programmes.

4. SEG forecasts skills demand 

Nuala Kerr requested that this agenda item was postponed until the next meeting in November.

ACTION: Members to come back with Interim information to assist with the PFG business case consultation in October.

5. Modern Apprenticeships (MA) by sector over last 3 years

Roy Bell updated the group on the current position regarding apprenticeship numbers. Robson Davison provided a useful perspective from the Department of Education (DE) on declining cohorts, curriculum changes and the supply side. He also requested that the chair urgently influence the business community to impact and engage positively with schools.

The Chair noted the need for greater business involvement and thought that the release of the Careers Strategy may provide the platform to seek greater business involvement.

ACTION: The chair requested

o a summary of the percentages and figures as outlined in the MA presentation (Roy Bell)

o further figures from DE on choices made at 16 as a percentage of the cohort ( Robson Davison)

o A summary of the Careers strategy be tabled for the next meeting.

6. Vocational Education Programme (VEP)

Marc MacPherson outlined the current figures and position to the group. Robson Davison highlighted the strategic partnership between DEL and DE on this area.

ACTION: Robson Davison and Catherine Bell will present on the 14 – 19 reform at the next meeting on 13 November.

7. AOB

DEL to circulate Update on Skills Strategy to members.

8. Agenda Items for Next meeting.

· It was agreed the Universities would present papers on their role in developing the skills base for business in Northern Ireland.

· Joint DEL/ DE presentation on age 14 -19 at next session

· Follow up on statistics on subject choice trends with the current cohorts.

· Forecast skills demand to be tabled

· Summary of the key points of the joint DEL/DE Careers strategy.

9. Date of next meeting

Was confirmed as 13 November 2007 at 10am in the Board Room at Adelaide House.