26/03/2013

Minister Discusses Skills, Jobs And Economic Growth

Employment and Learning Minister Dr. Stephen Farry today addressed an international audience in Dublin to discuss skills, jobs and economic growth.

Delegates gathered from all round the world at the 9th annual meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Local Economic and Employment Development Forum entitled 'Implementing change: A new local agenda for jobs and growth'.

Minister Farry said: "There is much innovative and internationally recognised best practice being taken forward in Northern Ireland in relation to skills and supporting job creation and economic growth. The Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland, ‘Success through Skills – Transforming Futures’, launched in May 2011, is the overarching strategy for my Department, and we are working to achieve the goals set out in the Strategy to ensure businesses in Northern Ireland have access to the skilled workforce they need now, and in the future, to prosper and grow.

"This has led to the creation of the Skills Solutions Service, a 'one-stop-shop' to engage with businesses in order to help them up-skill and retrain their staff. We are also working closely with economic sectors in Northern Ireland which will have a significant impact on rebalancing our local economy.

"An ICT Working Group has developed an ICT Action Plan, launched in June 2012, that has seen significant progress in the last nine months and I am also chairing an Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Services Working Group that is developing an action plan in support of the sector. I have also recently launched the Youth Employment Scheme which is a £31million package, over three years, which provides employment and skills incentives to address the issue of youth unemployment."

Over 200 international representatives attended the event including government officials at national, regional and local level, local leaders and business representatives, social entrepreneurs, trade unions, local partnerships, researchers and academics.

The event was hosted at University College, Dublin, as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union.

(CD)


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