A conference highlighting the development of Ireland's 'build environment' has also looked at the provision of appropriate skills training for the construction and related industries.

The NI Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has encouraged those at the conference to produce workers with skills that the economy needs.

The 'All Ireland Symposium on Built Environment Education' was held at the University of Ulster, to promote dialogue amongst the educational community of practice in the built environment discipline across the island of Ireland.

It focused on how to meet the challenge of producing a future workforce for the sector with the skills needed by both employers and the Northern Ireland economy.

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The symposium was organised by the Built Environment Education Research Group and Sir Reg told tutors, students and those supporting learning and teaching: "My Department is committed to promoting learning and skills that prepare people for work and thus support the economy.

"It is essential that we strive to ensure that the type and level of skills our people have in the future match the type of jobs that will be available in the economy of the future.

"The built environment workforce, in particular, needs to be highly skilled, adaptable to change, innovative and forward looking, in order to meet the constantly evolving nature of the built environment," Sir reg continued.

The Minister encouraged delegates to play their part in the creation of a skilled workforce and said: "I encourage you as educators to work with your sector bodies and employers to identify and meet their future skills needs.

"Only in this way can the quality and relevance of education and training be improved and Northern Ireland’s future in the global marketplace secured."

(BMcC/GK)