Sir Reg Empey opens LLUK Headquarters in Belfast
08 July 2008
Adult education workforce employers in Northern Ireland will welcome the news today that Lifelong Learning UK, the independent body that represents them on skills issues, is to open a Northern Ireland headquarters. Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning, will officially open the Belfast office.
The event will be attended by representatives from LLUK's key constituencies, including community learning and development, further education, higher education, work-based learning and development and, libraries, archives and information services.
The decision to open an office in Belfast highlights the increased commitment from Lifelong Learning UK to work on behalf of employers in the sector across Northern Ireland.
Speaking on the opening of the new office, the Minister said: "Sector Skills Councils have a critical role to play in progressing the skills agenda in Northern Ireland. The Sector Skills Council is the voice of the employer and the role of the employer in upskilling our workforce is crucial, not only in articulating the skills needed now and in the future, but also in providing the opportunity for employees to be trained and up-skilled whilst in the workplace. My Department has always stressed the importance of Sector Skills Councils having a dedicated local resource and I am therefore pleased that Lifelong Learning UK will now have a visible and enduring presence in Northern Ireland."
Commenting on the opening of the Northern Ireland office Brian Henry, Lifelong Learning UK's Director in Northern Ireland said:
"I am delighted that we now have a presence in Northern Ireland to take forward the skills agenda and work towards creating a world class lifelong learning workforce. Lifelong Learning UK in Northern Ireland will work in partnership with key employers and stakeholders to ensure that their views are represented both within Northern Ireland and across the UK. "
