11 September 2001

GREATER LINKS BETWEEN EDUCATION AND ECONOMY ESSENTIAL - FARREN

It is vital that our young people have the skills and qualifications they need to gain employment, Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Seán Farren MLA, said today.

The Minister was speaking as he officially opened the Northern Ireland Business Education Partnership's (NIBEP) new premises at Donegall Pass in South Belfast.

Dr Farren said: "We must work to strengthen the links between our education system and the needs of our economy to ensure that young people are properly prepared for future employment requirements.

"The growing global focus on knowledge as the key to a competitive economy reinforces the importance of getting our education and skills policies right.

"NIBEP has done an excellent job in promoting greater integration of economic and educational policy by bringing together schools, colleges and businesses at local level. I am confident this policy will continue to produce many individual success stories by enabling our young people to meet the requirements of a modern economy."

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

NIBEP was established in 1995 as a pilot scheme by the Department of Education and the Training and Employment Agency. Its role was to act as a catalyst in bringing together schools and businesses through local partnerships. In 1999 this remit was expanded when NIBEP became the key umbrella body in taking forward business education policy and practice. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has recently become a third sponsor of NIBEP.

NIBEP has put together an ambitious and innovative business plan to foster stronger links between schools and employers and to encourage best practice in work experience placements, mentoring schemes and Teachers Insights into Industry programmes.