Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Friday, 17 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 October 2004. It was answered by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 October 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has had with Castlereagh College on training requirements for future industrial development in the Castlereagh area.

Answer: Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has had with Castlereagh College on training requirements for future industrial development in the Castlereagh area. [189659] Mr. Gardiner: Neither the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment, nor Invest NI, have had any direct discussions with Castlereagh College. Invest NTs Accelerating Entrepreneurship Strategy (AES) seeks to actively embed entrepreneurship throughout Northern Ireland's education and training systems. Aspects of AES are undertaken in close liaison with the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges, which represents the sixteen Further Education colleges in NI, including Castlereagh. Through its Business Improvement Services function, Invest NI also provides specific company based training and development programmes linked directly to the needs of local companies. These programmes can be delivered using internal or external trainers as appropriate, with each client company being responsible for the selection of any external providers. Such training is entirely tailored to the needs of the company thus offering a specific focus on the local economic development needs of the area in which it is based.

Secondary information