Europe could learn from Northern Ireland’s regional skills strategy, according to Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry.
He was speaking during a recent visit to Brussels this week in support of the Executive’s commitments to increase engagement with European policy development and funding programmes.
The Minister explored a range of issues with EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor, including lessons Northern Ireland can learn from other EU regions on tackling issues such as youth unemployment and improved access to European employment and social affairs funding programmes.
He also discussed how Northern Ireland can share its experience of developing a regional skills strategy.
The Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland provides the opportunities for individuals to equip themselves with the skills needed by employers both now and in the future and it changes as needs alter.
One of the key differences in the latest strategy compared to its initial counterpart in 2004, is the emphasis, for instance, on the ‘up-skilling’ of the existing workforce. With a large proportion of the 2020 workforce already past compulsory school age, DEL is committed to training organisations, colleges and universities working more closely with employers and those people who wish to increase their skills, while remaining in employment.
This is especially important as forecasts suggest that by 2020, as few as 10% of jobs will require no formal qualifications and as many as 52% will require qualifications at level 4 and above.
Speaking in Brussels, the Minister said: “I am committed to making a full contribution to Northern Ireland as a region becoming a more active player on the European stage. There is a wealth of experience across the EU and we have much to learn from how other regions tackle the challenges we face in common; equally, we have much experience to share with others. I want to ensure we make the most of the opportunities the EU offers to support us in doing so.”
The Minister’s programme also explored how Northern Ireland’s universities can achieve optimum access to European research funding and participation in mobility programmes, as well as how the region can most effectively network with other regions around Europe, including within the UK and Ireland, to mutual benefit.