18 January 2000

FARREN: PEOPLE ARE CENTRAL TO ECONOMIC SUCCESS

"People must be the catalyst that brings Northern Ireland a successful economic future," Dr Sean Farren, the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, said tonight.

Speaking at a dinner held by the Northern Ireland Branch of the Institute of Personnel and Development, the Minister said: "The world is moving fast. Ways of doing business are changing, skills needs are changing and people’s expectations are changing. That means that the management and development of people are crucial if we are to create the fast growing, competitive and innovative economy envisaged by Strategy 2010.

"My Department will, of course, have a central role to play in creating the right environment to allow that to happen. Our aim will be to develop a world class workforce with the right people, with the right skills, available in the right place at the right time.

"But we will not be able to do that on our own. We need to work together, not just with other Government departments, but also with bodies like the Institute of Personnel Development (IPD) who are at the coal-face of our industry. They are the people who are best placed to ensure that both employees and employers are developed to meet their full potential.

"This Government is committed to building an inclusive society in which everyone has an equal chance to share in the economic success we are all working for. Not only does the IPD have an important role to play in helping us shape that vision for the future, but they can actually help make it come about."

During the dinner, Dr Farren met Human Resource managers from a wide variety of private and public sector organisations. He also met Bob Morton, Head of Human Resource Development Division (Europe) Ciba Specialty Chemicals, who was a guest speaker at the event and gave an insight into how the HR function can add real value to an organisation.