A modern framework of employment law is needed to preserve the rights of employees.
This will be one of the topics up for discussion during a series of meetings in London in association with the Department of Employment and Learning’s review of Apprenticeships and Youth Training as well as its ongoing Employment Law Review.
Employment and Learning Minister, Stephen Farry will hold meetings with Skills Minister, Matthew Hancock, the author of the Richard Review of Apprenticeships in England, Doug Richard and Chief Operating Officer for the National Apprenticeship Service, David Way.
Dr Farry will also be meeting the Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs, Jo Swinson.
As part of the review Minister Farry recently visited Switzerland to examine Swiss best practice, policies and initiatives in vocational and youth training programmes.
Referring to the DEL Review of Apprenticeships and Youth Training, the Minister said: “These series of meetings will explore England’s recent review of Apprenticeships and the current Review of Apprenticeships and Youth Training, in Northern Ireland, which I announced in February.
“This review will ensure that the Northern Ireland economy benefits from the right people, with the right skills and that we build upon and enhance existing strong provision, to ensure we have a world class system of youth training and apprenticeships.
“Our economy is going through a considerable transformation and the jobs of tomorrow will require higher level skills across a wide range of occupations. I want an apprenticeship and youth training programme which is sustainable, high-quality and meets the changing needs of our economy in the decades to come.”
The Department for Employment and Learning’s review of apprenticeships and youth training will produce a final report containing its findings in the late autumn.
Referring to the meeting with the Minister for Employment Relations, Dr Farry said: “I want to ensure that our economic development in the coming years is supported by a modern framework of employment law that is fit for purpose, promoting business confidence whilst preserving the entitlements of employees.
“My discussions will cover vital issues such as the rights of working parents and the resolution of workplace disputes, issues on which we in Northern Ireland have important decisions to make. Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK where employment law is devolved. We therefore have the opportunity to develop an employment law system that works in the interests of business, helps our economy to grow, attracts investment, encourages companies to recruit new staff and at the same time provides sufficient protection for the rights of employees.
“We can create a local modern, efficient and integrated employment relations system where economic competitiveness and workers’ rights are balanced.”