Skills development vital to justice system in Northern Ireland

20 October 2010

Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford yesterday emphasised the importance of workforce and skills development in sustaining an effective Justice System in Northern Ireland, at a skills symposium held in the Parliament Buildings on Tuesday 19 October.

The event, hosted by Skills for Justice, highlighted the vital importance of building and sustaining appropriate skill sets across the justice system. The symposium gave MLAs the opportunity to meet senior figures from Justice and Community Safety organisations face-to-face to discuss skills development in the sector.

The Skills Symposium was targeted at MLAs, political advisors, assembly committee members and the Criminal Justice Board, and highlighted that the achievement of key justice targets depends on the workforce profile and skills.

Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of Skills for Justice said

“The devolution of justice and policing powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly is hugely significant. In order to ensure that effective and safe justice services can be delivered across Northern Ireland, the skills levels of those involved must be appropriate to deal with the challenges that they will face”.

“Skills for Justice is best placed to help organisations to develop the skills that they need to deliver safe and effective justice services. I am therefore delighted to have been at this event, which is a great opportunity for policy-makers and justice organisations to meet and discuss the impact of devolution.”

Speaking in support of the event, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said:

"Today's event highlights the importance of workforce and skills development, and delivers the message that skills are critical if the Justice Sector is to meet its targets and objectives. It demonstrates the commitment of all parts of the Justice Sector to work together and to deliver a clear message about the importance of skills. My Department's support for this event reflects the excellent working relationship between our two Departments as we strive to develop the skills of the Northern Ireland workforce.”

Congratulating Skills for Justice on its work in supporting relevant training across the justice sector, David Ford, Minister of Justice, said

“This event today highlights the strong focus that the justice sector has, and must maintain, on securing effective training for staff across all of our agencies.”

“Our continued investment in training staff is critical to the success of our justice system. Skills for Justice works closely with all of the justice sector bodies, and play a crucial role in developing and supporting skill standards and training”.

Skills for Justice is a Government-licensed Sector Skills Council. It works with employers and stakeholders in the skills system and with the Governments of the UK to effectively tackle skills challenges, increase skills and boost productivity of employers in the Justice, Community Safety and Legal Services sectors.

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