Meeting of EDF Skills Sub-Group
5th September 2005, Adelaide House, Belfast
ATTENDEES
Sub-Group Members:
Michael Maguire
Raymond Mullen
Heather Stevens
Gerry McGinn
Tom Gillen
1. Minutes & Matters Arising from last meeting
Minutes accepted without amendment. The Chairman reported that preliminary approaches to potential private sector representatives had been received positively. As a result the Group agreed that formal invitations should be issued to Gordon Bell (ex Chief Executive, Liberty Information Technology Ltd), Richard McMullan (MD, Sliderobes Group) and Christine McCann (Operations Director, Select Recruitment).
2. Management & Leadership
Kieran Mannion (Head of Management Development, DEL) presented a discussion paper on the current Northern Ireland management and leadership landscape and suggestions for the way forward. The group were informed that the Department were working in partnership with the Management & Leadership Network (MLN) to raise awareness, promote world-class best practice and advise on future management and leadership policy. Members were advised that work was already underway to develop future programmes that would address the changing needs of the NI economy. Members agreed that continued investment in management development would be essential if EDF Vision targets were to be achieved.
The basis for the proposals outlined was the widely accepted view that management and leadership skills are deficient in Northern Ireland. Members challenged the assumption that existing competence levels were as low as indicated but were advised that local research conducted by MLN clearly supported this view.
The professional development of both existing and future managers would continue to be a high priority for DEL. Specifically DEL proposes to focus support on the early career development of new managers in employment. Some members felt that earlier interventions should not be ignored. In this area it was stressed that the new curriculum offered great opportunities and challenges.
Members were concerned to note the absence of a clearly defined demand for M&L training and development provision from employers and emphasised the need for a strategic response that would simulate demand. It was agreed that the stimulation of ambition in employers would form part of the solution to the low interest problem.
Changes proposed would encourage organisations to adopt a strategic view of Leadership and Management and integrate it as a key component of business planning. Proposals under consideration could include a diagnostic and advisory service that would offer support to help identify structural weaknesses and signpost solutions. It was accepted that employers often required help to understand what they need however, members felt the approach outlined may be somewhat premature without the benefit of an agreed M&L strategy. It was suggested that further clarification on many of the questions justifiably raised in the paper would be required before solutions should be designed.
In response to questions on the focus for support members were advised that ideas were still evolving but that priorities e.g. construction, tourism & hospitality sectors were recognised and well established.
As a way forward members agreed to devote the next scheduled meeting to management and leadership and that the Management and Leadership Network be invited to make a presentation. The Chairman, in conjunction with DEL would work up an agenda for the meeting and agree on contributors who would be invited to attend.
3. EDF Vision / DE Strategy Alignment
Gerry McGinn referred members to the draft DE Strategic Plan that was currently awaiting Ministerial approval. It was envisaged that this would operate on a 3 year rolling basis and could form the basis for business in working with EDF and other Departments. Major work around planning and accountability had already taken place but further work relating to targets and budgets remained. Members were supportive of the document but suggested it needed to be tested for alignment with the Economic Vision, Skills Strategy, etc. Additionally, it was recommended that the document might usefully address the DE, DEL and DETI interface.
Mr McGinn agreed to commission that exercise and would present a further paper at the next Skills Sub-Group meeting. Members were also invited to consider the content further and comment directly to DE as appropriate.
On a separate issue Gerry McGinn explained that work continued with the preparation of the school leaver statistical breakdown requested at the last meeting. Some additional work was required but the report would be available by the next meeting.
4. Careers Guidance/ Education – Future Search
The proposed ‘Future Search’ exercise would review the entire careers guidance and education systems involving the broadest spectrum of stakeholders. Members agreed that for the exercise to be successful future structures should not be constrained by the existing delivery framework and was reassured that input from the group would be welcomed.
5. EDF Plenary – Agenda / Progress Report
No agenda items for the next Economic Development Forum meeting were proposed. The Chairman agreed to finalise the Sub-Group progress report and submit to members for clearance by the 8th September.
6. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday 7th November 2005 in Adelaide House, Belfast.
ACTIONS
DEL
· Agree agenda and guest list with Chairman for next EDF meeting
DE
· EDF Vision Objectives - Department of Education Strategy Alignment
· School Leavers (without qualifications) - statistical report providing regional breakdown
Chair
· Private Sector representation – formal invitations to be issued to nominees
Secretariat
· Arrange for presentation by MLN
· Issue guest invitations