James Leonard
Question:25 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Education the priority, if any, she attaches to the involvement of industry in vocational training and education. [9629/95]
Written Answers. - Vocational Education and Training.
I attach a high priority to the involvement of industry, and, indeed the wider business sector, in the area of vocational education and training. This is reflected in the principle for policy set out in the White Paper to improve co-operation between providers and employers in the identification of the present and future skills and competences that are required for economic growth and development.
The following developments are indicative of that priority; the community and local enterprise are encouraged to play an active role in the leaving certificate vocational programme and the new leaving certificate applied programmes, and in post-leaving certificate courses; the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the National Council for Vocational Awards provide fora for the active participation of industry in programme design and assessment, where appropriate; business and industry play an important overall role in monitoring the delivery of vocational training through their membership of the EU monitoring committee for the operational programme for human resources development.