17 May 2001

LEARNING AT WORK THE KEY TO THE FUTURE - FARREN

"The importance of workplace learning partnerships to help achieve greater economic and social prosperity in Northern Ireland cannot be underestimated," Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, has said.

Speaking earlier this week at the launch of Easy Link, an innovative project involving BT Northern Ireland, the Communication Workers Union, and three of Northern Ireland’s colleges of further education, the Minister added: "In today’s climate of economic and technological change, the key to successful organisations and businesses is their recognition of the importance of continually improving and modernising the skills of their employees.

"The decision by Northern Ireland’s largest telecommunications company, a trades union and three colleges of further education to join forces in this initiative, has clearly been motivated by a mutual desire to improve the skills base of the BT workforce, while extending access to learning on the ladder of opportunity. Such collaborative efforts bring significant benefits and are a recognition of what can be achieved. This is partnership in action.

"Investing in more workplace learning is essential if Northern Ireland as a whole is to be internationally competitive in the global economy as we need to be, and so strengthen social inclusion for all our people."

The project is aimed particularly at attracting those non-technical and non-professional employees in BT who generally have not participated in formal education or training programmes. They will be offered the opportunity to learn new skills such as computers, workplace communications, and management skills. Help will also be available for those who wish to improve their word-power and numerical skills.

The three further education colleges participating in the Easy Link project are Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education, North East Institute of Further and Higher Education in Ballymena and the North West Institute of Further and Higher Education in Derry.

NOTE TO EDITOR

Media enquiries to Anne Morrow, Press Office, Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, on telephone 028 9025 7831, or mobile 07799 711524.