Summary of Responses and Evidence to the Committee's Consultation on the Dissolution of the Department for Employment and Learning and the Transfer of its Functions

NIA 51/11-15, First Report Together with the Minutes of Proceedings

Author:

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee for Employment and Learning

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

'Summary of Responses and Evidence to the Committee's Consultation on the Dissolution of the Department for Employment and Learning and the Transfer of its Functions (NIA 51/11-15)' concludes that the majority of respondents to the Committee consultation are of the opinion that all or some of the current functions of the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) should be transferred to the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. A significant number of respondents also identified aspects of DEL which could be effectively aligned with the Department of Education (DE).

The Further Education (FE) Colleges believed that their primary function was to support the economy through the provision of skills and training, and the more appropriate focus for FE would be towards employment rather than education.

A number of community and voluntary organisations, which engage in vocational training with both young people and adults opted for DEL functions to be transferred to Department for Enterprise, Trade and Industry (DETI); this would maintain the focus would be on job opportunities and the social economy.

Concerns were expressed by a number of stakeholders regarding the importance of the continuity of the existing provision and the relationships which have been built up with DEL officials; specialism, expertise, knowledge and relationships within DEL should not be lost.

The results of the consultation carried out with DEL staff mirrored the views of key stakeholders to a large extent. The overwhelming majority of staff, including the senior management team, believe that their job function would be best aligned with DETI.

The effectiveness of combining skills policy with the responsibility for delivery within a single department was echoed by both staff and management.

Extent	382 pages	ISBN	9780339604308
Size	A4	Price	£26.88
Format	Paperback	Published	12 Jun 2012
Availability	Out of Print: but may be available to order	Delivery	Delivery options and charges