Building on skills essentials

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has highlighted the important role that Sector Skills Councils play in creating a highly skilled workforce in Northern Ireland.

The Minister was speaking today as he and Chairman of ConstructionSkills, Sir Michael Latham, officially opened the new Belfast office of ConstructionSkills in Northern Ireland.

ConstructionSkills is the primary Sector Skills Council for the construction industry. It represents a wide range of employer views; from contractors to professional services firms. The role of ConstructionSkills in Northern Ireland is to work with employers of all sizes across the Province to determine their skills needs and with Government and stakeholders to meet those needs.

The Minister said: “It is gratifying to see this important Sector Skills Council opening an office in Belfast City Centre; close to policy makers and which, through active engagement with employers, will help ensure the successful implementation of the Sector Skills Agreement. The work of ConstructionSkills focuses on skills and training which is essential for the future of the industry.  It is looking beyond the current economic situation and concentrating on the future upskilling needs of not only the present but also the future workforce.”

The launch of the office comes at a difficult time, with the economic downturn affecting the industry, in particularly the house building sector, but findings from The Construction Skills Network research highlight that the NI construction industry is forecast to continue to grow over the next few years. As part of its ‘Building NI’ campaign ConstructionSkills in Northern Ireland is focusing activity on improving the skills of the current workforce, to make the country a great place to live and work as Government plans to deliver almost £20billion of new infrastructure (including major investment in roads, schools and hospitals) over the next 10 years.

Speaking at the launch Sir Michael Latham said, “ConstructionSkills in Northern Ireland is working hard to deliver a safe, professional and fully qualified workforce and this Belfast office will provide a focus for ConstructionSkills activities across the whole of the local construction industry. The landmarks that we build here in NI today, tomorrow, next year and in years to come will be here as our testimony long after our passing. The refreshed Sector Skills Agreement for the NI industry is our opportunity to make sure we work with employers and help provide our workers with the right skills so they can build a lasting legacy for us all.”

Ends 

 For further information contact Siobhan Daly Marketing and Communications Manager 028 9040 8244 siobhan.daly@constructionskillsni.org.uk

Notes to editors

1. ConstructionSkills was established as a Sector Skills Council in 2003 and is a partnership between The Construction Industry Council, The Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB) and CITB - ConstructionSkills. All three partners are committed to working together to deliver industry-led skills and training solutions through the Sector Skills Agreement for construction.

2.      ConstructionSkills in Northern Ireland new offices are based at 9 James St South, Belfast, BT2 9DN

3.      The Sector Skills Agreement for the construction industry in NI reviews the economic and output forecasts, identifies training needs and details actions plans which will be delivered in partnership with Government and other stakeholders.

4.      The Construction Skills Network is an industry wide alliance that analyses demand for skills from planned construction projects alongside current training supply.