Menu
17/10/2002
Address local skills deficit says former Learning Minister
Former Minister for the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Carmel Hanna MLA has challenged Northern Ireland's business leaders to address the skills deficit within their management teams or face long-term bottom-line deflation.
The call to action came at the recent launch of the Department's Management and Leadership Development Programme, a unique professional development initiative which aims to provide organisations across the province's private, voluntary and community sectors with a vital skills boost.
Mrs Hanna pointed out that, while inroads into people development are being made, under-investment still poses serious implications for individual companies and the economy as a whole. She said: "Most Northern Ireland organisations are very pro-active when it comes to developing their products and services. Investment in people, however, comes much further down the pecking order. This is a risky strategy as it doesn't prepare for the eventuality that, as the gap in quality and innovation between organisations and across markets closes, our workforce will be our most important distinguishing feature.
"Failing to invest in this asset - from the top down - will undermine the gains achieved by even the most advanced product offering."
Operating as an 'excellence index', the new Programme comprises a portfolio containing up to 40 premium development initiatives, each provided by leading players in Northern Ireland's management training industry. Participating organisations benefit from expert guidance and direction on targeted and endorsed development activities, and substantial bursary support from DEL.
Mrs Hanna said the Programme had been designed to drive forward Northern Ireland's private, voluntary and community sector organisations, and NI Plc as a whole, by providing local leaders and managers with the incentive as well as the means for sustained growth - a focused and accessible people development mechanism.
For information on eligibility, individual development bursaries, bursary support, and application details, interested parties should contact DEL's Management Development Division on 028 9044 1786/9044 1785/9044 1784.
Information and an on-line application facility are also available by logging on to The Management and Leadership Network's web-site at www.mln.org.uk
(MB)
The call to action came at the recent launch of the Department's Management and Leadership Development Programme, a unique professional development initiative which aims to provide organisations across the province's private, voluntary and community sectors with a vital skills boost.
Mrs Hanna pointed out that, while inroads into people development are being made, under-investment still poses serious implications for individual companies and the economy as a whole. She said: "Most Northern Ireland organisations are very pro-active when it comes to developing their products and services. Investment in people, however, comes much further down the pecking order. This is a risky strategy as it doesn't prepare for the eventuality that, as the gap in quality and innovation between organisations and across markets closes, our workforce will be our most important distinguishing feature.
"Failing to invest in this asset - from the top down - will undermine the gains achieved by even the most advanced product offering."
Operating as an 'excellence index', the new Programme comprises a portfolio containing up to 40 premium development initiatives, each provided by leading players in Northern Ireland's management training industry. Participating organisations benefit from expert guidance and direction on targeted and endorsed development activities, and substantial bursary support from DEL.
Mrs Hanna said the Programme had been designed to drive forward Northern Ireland's private, voluntary and community sector organisations, and NI Plc as a whole, by providing local leaders and managers with the incentive as well as the means for sustained growth - a focused and accessible people development mechanism.
For information on eligibility, individual development bursaries, bursary support, and application details, interested parties should contact DEL's Management Development Division on 028 9044 1786/9044 1785/9044 1784.
Information and an on-line application facility are also available by logging on to The Management and Leadership Network's web-site at www.mln.org.uk
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 May 2004
Spellar announces review of housing development
Regional Development Minister, John Spellar today launched a four-month consultation period on the distribution of future housing development across Northern Ireland.
Spellar announces review of housing development
Regional Development Minister, John Spellar today launched a four-month consultation period on the distribution of future housing development across Northern Ireland.
06 September 2001
Minister praises success of ‘homegrown hospitality’
A local management development programme offering unemployed graduates the chance to gain skills in the hospitality industry is celebrating a second successful year of operation.
Minister praises success of ‘homegrown hospitality’
A local management development programme offering unemployed graduates the chance to gain skills in the hospitality industry is celebrating a second successful year of operation.
12 March 2013
Waste Management Site Planned
£240m is to be invested in a planned waste management site near Mallusk in County Antrim. The new development would be one of the biggest single infrastructure schemes in the region, and would deal with waste from eleven council areas in Northern Ireland.
Waste Management Site Planned
£240m is to be invested in a planned waste management site near Mallusk in County Antrim. The new development would be one of the biggest single infrastructure schemes in the region, and would deal with waste from eleven council areas in Northern Ireland.
30 November 2010
'Super Councils' To Make Planning Decisions
News that Northern Ireland's councils will soon be taking full responsibility for drawing up their own development plans and also making the vast majority of planning decisions has been revealed. The move is part of an overall reform of local government, which - despite obvious delays in implementation - "is moving forward apace".
'Super Councils' To Make Planning Decisions
News that Northern Ireland's councils will soon be taking full responsibility for drawing up their own development plans and also making the vast majority of planning decisions has been revealed. The move is part of an overall reform of local government, which - despite obvious delays in implementation - "is moving forward apace".
19 February 2004
Channel 4 development deal for Belfast TV company
Belfast-based DoubleBand Films is to benefit from a £260,000 company development deal, funded by Channel 4 and the NIFTC Company Development Fund, a joint venture between Invest Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission (NIFTC).
Channel 4 development deal for Belfast TV company
Belfast-based DoubleBand Films is to benefit from a £260,000 company development deal, funded by Channel 4 and the NIFTC Company Development Fund, a joint venture between Invest Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission (NIFTC).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
