Minister visits Lisburn Institute of Further and Higher Education

The Minister for Employment and Learning Minister, Carmel Hanna, has met with staff and students at the Lisburn Institute of Further and Higher Education as part of her continuing round of visits to colleges around Northern Ireland.

Visiting the Institute on Wednesday 15 May, Mrs Hanna was welcomed to the college by the Principal, Alister McReynolds and the Chairperson of the newly appointed governing body, Roy Montgomery.

The Minister toured the ICT Resource Centre and Worklink Rooms where she had the opportunity to speak informally with a number of students and staff. The ICT Resource Centre provides open access training to students, staff and trainees and has received funding under her Department’s ICT strategy.

Mrs Hanna said: “I am delighted to see at first hand the impact of my Department’s three year Information and Communications Technology Strategy. Such developments ensure that students are provided with the key ICT skills that are so important to the future development of the Northern Ireland economy. To see our young people with the skills and qualifications needed to gain employment is something I give the highest priority to.”

Later, she attended a meeting with the senior management team and the Institute’s recently appointed governing body, at which a number of issues were discussed including Lisburn’s attainment of city status.

Speaking after her visit, the Minister said she found her visits round the colleges to be very beneficial and constructive. She added: “They also give me the opportunity to hear at first hand the current issues pertaining to further education which is playing such a pivotal role in equipping people with the skills and qualifications needed to gain employment in a modern economy. I also welcomed the opportunity to meet with members of the new governing body.”

(CL)