We must prepare now for the jobs of the future!

In the aftermath of the recent STEM click here conferences at CAFRE Greenmount (9/10/2009) and CAFRE (Loughry), which focused on the food and drink, agri-food and land-based occupational sectors ( The agri-food sector is one of the FIVE key sectors identified by the recent Matrix Report click here for potential growth in NI..) there is a key challenge for schools and employers as the need for identifying, investing in and utilising the right skills, both now and over the longer term, is vital to sustain and grow the economy. This exercise in skills development will be critical to ensuring the north emerges strongly from the current downturn.


At the recent launch of Ambition 2020 Report from the UK Commission and Skills (UKCES), click here  Bill McGinnis, NI Employment and Skills Commissioner, warned that the economic climate could see a further 28,000 jobs lost by the end of next year. He went on to stress that people in NI need to have the skills necessary for the opportunities that will become available post recession.  It will be important that employers will be able to recruit workers with the skills necessary for business success. Because of the all age apprenticeship opportunities it will be important to keep the apprenticeship as a viable option to full time courses either at FE or HE, within your sixth form programme of work.

Currently, the UK is somewhat off the pace when it comes to world position in both low level and intermediate level skills, though it performs slightly better on the higher level skills. The NI Executive, as one of the UK regional administration, is being called upon to adopt the goal of being in the top eight performing nations in employment and skills in the world by 2020.  Governments and businesses need to redouble their ambitions and invest in skills to prevent us slipping behind international competitors over the next decade in jobs, productivity and competitiveness.

Mr. McGinnis again draws our attention to the fact that the future of our economy depends on employees and individuals recognising their long term prosperity is inextricably linked to how they develop and utilise their skills base.

Powerful new approach to creative and cultural skills  

Up to 1125 new Apprenticeship places will be created to train 16-24 year olds for a career in the creative and cultural industries. Apprenticeships Minister, Kevin Brennan, announced today that the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills (NSA) has secured funding to run an Apprenticeship Service, which will be available from April 2010.