Post by earl on Feb 14, 2008 17:28:19 GMT
Learning from Ireland's achievements was on the agenda when Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop, in partnership with STUC officials, visited Ireland's National Centre for Partnership and Performance.
Accompanied by STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith, Ms Hyslop found out more about the Irish National Workplace Strategy which was established by the Irish Government in 2005.
Its objectives are to support the transformation of Irish workplaces, improve workplace performance and contribute to national competitiveness, enhanced public services and higher standards of living.
Ms Hyslop said:
"Scotland needs a highly skilled workforce to drive forward our plans for sustainable economic growth. Our recently-published Skills Strategy clearly highlighted the importance of skills to Scotland's future.
"We're now determined to build on this and ensure we're learning from best practice in other countries. That's why we're in Ireland today to find out more about the Irish National Workplace Strategy and establish whether we in Scotland can learn any lessons.
"This Scottish Government has always embraced partnership working and that is clearly evident from today's joint visit with the STUC."
Mr Smith said:
"The STUC warmly welcomed this opportunity to visit Ireland with Scottish Government Ministers to examine issues around the Irish National Workplace Strategy. Ireland's recent impressive growth performance has been underpinned by a strong and enduring social partnership.
"The Irish and other countries in the 'arc of prosperity' recognize that the quality and innovative capacity of workplaces is a key economic development issue. The STUC now looks forward to considering with Ministers how the lessons learned during our visit might be productively applied in Scotland."
Today's visit builds on the recent communiqué between the STUC and Scottish Government which recognised the key role which skills development have in growing Scotland's economy and achieving the government's aim of sustainable economic growth.
Accompanied by STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith, Ms Hyslop found out more about the Irish National Workplace Strategy which was established by the Irish Government in 2005.
Its objectives are to support the transformation of Irish workplaces, improve workplace performance and contribute to national competitiveness, enhanced public services and higher standards of living.
Ms Hyslop said:
"Scotland needs a highly skilled workforce to drive forward our plans for sustainable economic growth. Our recently-published Skills Strategy clearly highlighted the importance of skills to Scotland's future.
"We're now determined to build on this and ensure we're learning from best practice in other countries. That's why we're in Ireland today to find out more about the Irish National Workplace Strategy and establish whether we in Scotland can learn any lessons.
"This Scottish Government has always embraced partnership working and that is clearly evident from today's joint visit with the STUC."
Mr Smith said:
"The STUC warmly welcomed this opportunity to visit Ireland with Scottish Government Ministers to examine issues around the Irish National Workplace Strategy. Ireland's recent impressive growth performance has been underpinned by a strong and enduring social partnership.
"The Irish and other countries in the 'arc of prosperity' recognize that the quality and innovative capacity of workplaces is a key economic development issue. The STUC now looks forward to considering with Ministers how the lessons learned during our visit might be productively applied in Scotland."
Today's visit builds on the recent communiqué between the STUC and Scottish Government which recognised the key role which skills development have in growing Scotland's economy and achieving the government's aim of sustainable economic growth.
