Robinson calls for increased Career Guidance in Schools
Ken Robinson, the UUP Spokesman on Department of Employment and Learning issues has called upon schools to provide pupils with a wider range of third level options when delivering careers advice.
Mr Robinson, reinforcing a message his Party has repeated for some time which is aimed at reducing the “Brain Drain” commented: “We have a very successful educational system here which consistently out performs other regions in the UK at the top levels of achievement. This has led to many of our high fliers seeking places in Universities and Colleges across the water. While it is desirable and understandable that young people will want to expand their horizons, the sad fact is that of the 33% who go across to England and Scotland roughly two thirds of them will not return to take up a career in Northern Ireland.”
The UUP East Antrim Assembly candidate said: “Not only is this a loss to the families concerned but it is an ongoing drain on the ability of N Ireland to develop a world class economy based upon the knowledge, skills and expertise that they will have acquired.
“In East Antrim we are most fortunate to have located within the constituency a first class Further Education College and a world class University campus. Many parts of the UK would be most envious of this situation. However, many of our school leavers, at the end of their secondary level education, are either not considering a place at these institutions or are not being advised of the potential benefits of completing their studies locally. I feel that both schools and the Higher and Further Education sector need to co-operate more fully to spread that message.
“Now is a particularly important time to review the issue since all economic reports indicate that the N Ireland economy must be re-balanced away from public sector employment and to increasingly focus on wealth creating private sector jobs. If we are to develop the knowledge based economy we need in East Antrim, we must build up our potential to turn the excellent University research findings into both new products and new businesses. The restructuring of the Further Education sector will also have a critical role in turning this research into development projects and providing the skilled technicians to service this vital sector of the economy.
“Today, we face growing competition from all over the world and have seen how our southern neighbours invested in education. The Republic expanded its capacity in third level Regional Colleges and Universities to provide the skilled workforce with which it then attracted in overseas firms and investors. Surely we in N Ireland can learn from that experience and develop it to meet the particular needs of our economy.”