Land-based businesses must train for NI’s economic recovery

16/05/2011 - Northern Ireland’s land-based and environmental businesses must develop world-class skills in order to thrive and fully support the nation’s economic recovery, according to our new research.

The evening dinner event, held during the Balmoral Show, provided an excellent opportunity for those attending to discuss these issues and many others that industry is facing today.

 

Our Chair, Valerie Owen OBE, launched the research report during a gathering of key figures from government, education and industry. The report entitled ‘The Skills Assessment for Northern Ireland’ identifies that businesses must recruit almost 21,000 new land-based and environmental entrants at all qualification levels over the next decade just to maintain current workforce levels.  In addition, the estimated 30,000 Northern Ireland businesses and 60,000 employees must develop their skills through continual professional development in order to thrive in a competitive market. 

Our Partnership Manager, David Seffen, said: “Our  Skills Assessment analyses current and future skills needs, shows how job roles are changing, identifies the new skills that will be required and examines major shifts in employment.  It is an essential tool for policy makers and researchers responsible for developing evidence-based policy about skills and our sector.” 

Campbell Tweed OBE, Chair of our Northern Ireland Council said: “The land-based and environmental sector touches all our lives, wherever we live.  The sector feeds our nation and is indispensable for our current and future economic prosperity.  Land-based and environmental businesses safeguard Northern Ireland’s natural environment and heritage and are in the front line in the drive for food security, sustainable development, renewable energy, adapting to climate change, reducing greenhouse gases, growing the rural economy and supporting healthy active living through our parks and green spaces.  There will be opportunities over the next decade for new entrants and those already working in the sector, but in order to truly thrive, the entire industry must constantly hone their skills and manage successful, profitable businesses.”

He continued: “The evening dinner event, held during the Balmoral Show, provided an excellent opportunity for those attending to discuss these issues and many others that industry is facing today.”

Download our Northern Ireland Skills Assessment.