Official Opening of Office of the Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills

Official Opening of Office of the Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills Wed 01 Jul 2009 NEW BRIDGE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY ON SKILLS LAUNCHED A bridge between industry and Government ‘to advise on the employment and skills needs of employers of all sizes’ was announced today by Mr Bill McGinnis, the Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills. Mr McGinnis said the bridge between industry and government on key employment and skills issues will be provided through his office, which is based in Belfast city centre and was opened officially yesterday by Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning. The opening was attended by local business and education leaders, including members of the recently formed independent Employment and Skills Advisory Group, which will support Mr McGinnis in his role. Speaking at the opening, Mr McGinnis said: “Employment and skills are fundamental to our economy's success, particularly at this critical time. Our focus must be on ensuring that Northern Ireland businesses have the skills they will need to compete and grow, especially when economic recovery comes. The Northern Ireland Executive recognises that without a skilled and thriving workforce, we cannot compete in national and international markets. Whilst it is essential that more employers recognise how critical skills are to their success, I aim to advise government on how it can make it easier for employers to take the necessary steps.” “In working closely with industry and government, I will focus on: encouraging sustained employer engagement and investment in developing and utilising skills in their workplace; advising on more accessible and flexible systems to support employers and individuals, and in particular to assist our SMEs; advising on greater integration of economic; employment; education and skills policies; and promoting best practice in businesses and skills delivery.” “The shift to a demand led employment skills agenda will require greater employer influence, if we are to successfully compete on the global stage,” he added. Speaking at the opening, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: "I would like to congratulate Bill McGinnis and his team on the progress they've made in establishing their office in such a short time. Since his appointment as Adviser last year Bill has made significant progress in terms of his work on the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and the setting up of his new Employment and Skills Advisory Group, which will help him inform me about the needs of our employers. The Group met for the first time in June and I'm looking forward to hearing the results of their discussions. "The establishment of the office will provide a solid base for Bill and his Advisory Group to take forward their important work.” The new Office of the Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills is located at Causeway Tower, James Street South, Belfast.

Wed 01 Jul 2009

NEW BRIDGE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY ON SKILLS LAUNCHED

A bridge between industry and Government ‘to advise on the employment and skills needs of employers of all sizes’ was announced today by Mr Bill McGinnis, the Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills.

Mr McGinnis said the bridge between industry and government on key employment and skills issues will be provided through his office, which is based in Belfast city centre and was opened officially yesterday by Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning. The opening was attended by local business and education leaders, including members of the recently formed independent Employment and Skills Advisory Group, which will support Mr McGinnis in his role.

Speaking at the opening, Mr McGinnis said: “Employment and skills are fundamental to our economy's success, particularly at this critical time. Our focus must be on ensuring that Northern Ireland businesses have the skills they will need to compete and grow, especially when economic recovery comes. The Northern Ireland Executive recognises that without a skilled and thriving workforce, we cannot compete in national and international markets. Whilst it is essential that more employers recognise how critical skills are to their success, I aim to advise government on how it can make it easier for employers to take the necessary steps.”

“In working closely with industry and government, I will focus on:

encouraging sustained employer engagement and investment in developing and utilising skills in their workplace;
advising on more accessible and flexible systems to support employers and individuals, and in particular to assist our SMEs;
advising on greater integration of economic; employment; education and skills policies; and promoting best practice in businesses and skills delivery.”

“The shift to a demand led employment skills agenda will require greater employer influence, if we are to successfully compete on the global stage,” he added.

Speaking at the opening, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: "I would like to congratulate Bill McGinnis and his team on the progress they've made in establishing their office in such a short time. Since his appointment as Adviser last year Bill has made significant progress in terms of his work on the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and the setting up of his new Employment and Skills Advisory Group, which will help him inform me about the needs of our employers. The Group met for the first time in June and I'm looking forward to hearing the results of their discussions.

"The establishment of the office will provide a solid base for Bill and his Advisory Group to take forward their important work.”

The new Office of the Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills is located at Causeway Tower, James Street South, Belfast.