IMPROVING skill levels is the key to preparing young people for the world of work and sustained employment.
That was the message when Employment and Learning Minis-ter Stephen Farry addressed more than 100 stakeholders at a consultation event on the proposed new youth training system.
The Belfast roadshow, held in Crumlin Road Gaol, was one of two events being held, with the second roadshow taking place at the Millennium Forum in Lon-donderry on January 21.
The events are being held to gather views from as many people as possible on a new youth training system which will form a key part of the wider education and skills landscape, addressing the needs of young people while meeting the requirements of employers both now and in the future.
Minister Farry said: “It is vital that organisations and individuals with an interest in this area have their say and respond to this consultation before February 10. “We must prepare young people for the world of work and sustained employment by improving skill levels, providing opportunities for education and training at all levels and thereby ensuring employers have access to the skilled employees they need?”
Focus groups with young people are also being delivered across Northern Ireland through the use of an animated consultation tool.
Youth groups are encouraged to use this tool to introduce young people to the consultation’s proposals and then complete the survey to make their views on the new proposals known.
Once the consultation responses are analysed, the final strategy will be published in the spring, with the new system expected to be operational in 2016/17.
Meanwhile, more than 500 quality jobs are to be created at global diagnostics firm Randox over the next four years.
The 540 posts are the result of a £29m capital investment and will include production, administration, research, sales and marketing positions. It is expected the jobs will have an average salary of £30,000 and will generate over £16.2m a year to the local economy.