The first meeting into the review of apprenticeships and youth training has taken place.
The review aims to raise the status in which apprenticeships are held and ensure that young people are provided with opportunities to gain skills, gain experience and secure sustainable employment.
This will assist the growth and rebalancing of the economy by providing employers with an appropriately skilled workforce.
Speaking at the meeting in Parliament Buildings Employment and Learning Minister, Stephen Farry said:
“This review will provide us with the opportunity to match skills to the specific needs of employers. Our economy is going through a considerable transformation and the jobs of tomorrow will require higher level skills across a wide range of occupations.”
“The whole review process will be inclusive and engage with all the relevant stakeholders including employers, trade unions, training suppliers and further education colleges, and indeed young people themselves. I want the review to be evidence based and pragmatic, as well as visionary and imaginative.”
Addressing the expert panel the minister continued:
“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.”
The panel, which comprises of employers, academics, training providers and business representatives, was established to inform and provide expert experience and knowledge into the recently announced major review of youth training provision.
The review will produce a final report, setting out its findings in the late Autumn.