16 May 2001

EU GROUP STUDIES QUALITY OF TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

A group of 10 training and education professionals from the European Union is in Northern Ireland this week to study the high standard and quality of vocational education and training available to young people.

The study group is made up of representatives from Greece, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Cyprus, Austria and Belgium.

The delegation from CEDEFOP (Central European pour le Development de la Formation Professionelle) is here on a five day study programme, examining systems and outcomes of training currently in operation by companies and training bodies.

The programme extends from 13-17 May and includes Government briefings on training and employment and business education partnerships.

The delegation will also visit Bombardier Aerospace Shorts; Castle Court Shopping Centre; Worknet, a community based employment and training organisation in West Belfast; Youth Action in East Belfast, Causeway Institute of Further and Higher Education in Coleraine, the Nerve Centre in Londonderry, a self help initiative for young unemployed and the Flax Foyer project in North Belfast, an initiative aimed at assisting young people caught in the ‘no home - no job – no home’ trap.

The visit aims to give first hand experiences of Northern Ireland’s vocational training system and, in particular, its impact on the working lives of young people in Northern Ireland.

CEDEFOP was established by the EC in 1975 and has been promoting developments in the European Union to enrich the flow of information and understanding of ‘best practice’ and policies in vocational training systems throughout the EU.

Welcoming the delegation to Northern Ireland, Ian Walters, Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency said: "In Northern Ireland, a training culture has been developed which companies now recognise as a means of developing their staff to improve competitiveness and business performance.

"I believe that the study group will take away a very positive impression of the nature and high quality of training we provide for our young people. We have much to learn also from the experiences and good practices of other Member States."

Pat Donnelly, Chief Executive of PROTEUS said: "We have designed a study programme to showcase and highlight some of the best developments and innovations in training currently used throughout Northern Ireland.

"I am sure the messages which the study group will bring back to their respective Member States is that we have a vocational education and training system here which is first class."

The visit has been organised by PROTEUS with assistance from the Training and Employment Agency.

For further information contact Anne Morrow, Press Office, Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, on telephone 9025 7831 or 0779 9711524.