Meeting of EDF Skills Sub-Group

30th January 2006, Adelaide House, Belfast

 

Sub-Group Members:

 

Michael Maguire

Tom Gillen

Anne McCormick

Raymond Mullan

Richard McMullan

Will Haire

Heather Stevens

 

Apologies

 

Gordon Bell

 

 

1.                  Minutes and Matters Arising

 

The Chairman sought clarification on the use of Regional Forecasts Ltd to assist DEL in the setting of Skills Strategy performance measures. Heather Stevens confirmed that work was on-going as part of an existing contract.

 

The Chairman confirmed his willingness to participate on DEL’s Innovation Skills Steering Group.

 

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed without amendment.

 

2.                  Vocational Enhancement Programme

 

Marion Cree (Head of Curriculum Policy and Development, DEL) updated members on progress with the Vocational Enhancement Programme and confirmed that a variety of different models and concepts were still being tested.

 

To date all 16 Further Education Colleges and 175 post-primary schools have become involved with over 11,000 students participating. An increase in demand for 2006/07 is predicted.

 

Members recognised the major progress that has been achieved in a relatively short period but felt it was evident that schools represented a major hurdle to progress. Marion informed members that there was evidence of increased flexibility and co-operation through the establishment of local school/college consortia and smarter approaches e.g. E-learning. An Interim Evaluation (Yr2) was being prepared and should be available in early February.

 

Perhaps of more concern is the existing negative perception of the value of vocational education. Members accepted that this was based on long standing and conservative traditions existing in many schools and often supported by a lack of understanding by both parents and employers. Members agreed that VEP had the potential to play a major role in changing perceptions and felt it was an issue that could be addressed in the EDF Communications Strategy.

 

The Chairman and members accepted that the programme was a good example of a policy that was working but more was needed to improve communication and debate in the business world if the perception problem was to be overcome.

 

ACTION:

 

  • DEL to provide members with a copy of the VEP Interim Evaluation.

 

3.                  Management & Leadership Development Strategy

 

Heather Stevens advised members on progress with the Management & Leadership Development Strategy. A consultation paper was being prepared for release at the Skills Conference on the 28th February and a response from the EDF Skills Sub-Group would be invited. Consultation would last 12 weeks and a final strategy published in June 2006.

 

ACTION:

 

  • DEL to provide members with a copy of the M&L consultation document.

 

4.                  Careers Guidance & Education – ‘Future Search’

 

Heather Stevens informed members that the ‘Future Search’ exercise was scheduled for 13-15th March. The Planning Group had identified 8 groups of stakeholders including employers, learning providers, young people (16-25), education and guidance practitioners (adult and young people), advocacy groups and policy makers. Invitations would be issued shortly and participation by EDF members would be encouraged.

 

ACTION:

 

  • DEL to invite representatives from Skills Sub-Group.

 

5.                  Skills Strategy for NI

 

Members agreed to defer discussion on this issue until the next Skills Group meeting on the 21st February. It was also agreed that DEL should deliver a presentation on the Skills Strategy at the next scheduled Forum Plenary in March.

 

ACTION:

 

  • DEL to prepare draft Skills Strategy presentation for next Sub-Group meeting

 

6.                  Sector Skills Development Agency

 

The Chairman welcomed Laurence Downey (SSDA NI Manager) and thanked him for accepting an invitation to speak to the Skills Sub-Group. Mr Downey provided an explanation of the work of the Skills for Business Network that was tasked with tackling skills gaps and shortages across the UK. Comprising the SSDA and 25 Sector Skills Councils the Network covers 85% of the UK workforce. Northern Ireland is represented on the SSDA National Board by Bill McGinnis.

 

Locally the SSDA have been working on network development including awareness raising, identification of sectoral priorities based on 10 year sectoral projections, contribution to the Skills Strategy and establishment of Sector Skills Agreements. These agreements are compacts between employers, the SSC and providers to ensure sector needs are met.

 

Members expressed some fundamental concerns relating to the identification of skills priorities based on a sectoral approach that would fail to take a broader strategic perspective. Additionally the conflicting views recently presented to the Group e.g. Business & Finance as primary value adding area or an area with low activity projections was worrying.

 

Heather Stevens reminded members that the identification of skills priorities based on the consideration of all available information and research would be a key role for the Expert Skills Group. She also pointed out that the SSDA and SSC’s would serve and support the work of this particular group. The Chairman confirmed that both David Dobbin and he would represent EDF interests on the Expert Skills Group.

 

On behalf of members the Chairman thanked Mr Downey for an interesting presentation. Members requested details on the remit and membership of the Expert Skills Group.

 

ACTION:

 

  • DEL to circulate members with details on the remit and membership of the Expert Skills Group.

 

7.                  EDF Communications Strategy

 

Members agreed that the Economic Development Forum was a useful vehicle for communicating key messages but perhaps it would be important to focus on a narrower range than is currently expressed in the draft Strategy e.g. Management &Leadership, Vocational Education.

 

The Chairman reminded members that the Strategy would be reviewed on an annual basis thus allowing for a change in emphasis. Members agreed to reconsider and prioritise the key messages.

 

ACTION:

 

  • ALL – submit comment and suggestions on ‘Key Messages’ to Secretariat in advance of next EDF Skills Sub-Group meeting.

 

8.                  Date of next meeting

 

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 21st February 2006 in Adelaide House, Belfast.