Kirsty McManus Assistant Director | CBI Northern Ireland

 CBI is the UK’s premier business lobbying organisation - providing a voice in government for employers.  Currently represents some 240,000 businesses - together employing around a third of the private sector workforce.  Located around the UK and internationally in Brussels, Beijing, Washington and New Delhi.

 Our lobbying and campaigning helps keep business interests at the heart of policy across the UK and internationally.  Keeping members at the cutting edge of business and political intelligence. ◦ Market leading economic surveys and forecasts. ◦ Influential thought leadership research reports. ◦ Strategic insight to help guide business decision making through our IntelligenceFIRST offering.  Linking businesses to the right people through our annual calendar of events.

 CBI NI operates in a different environment to other UK regions i.e.: Devolved government – more contact with government.  Our Policy Priorities in NI: 1. Securing a lower Corporation tax rate 2. Maximising the capital expenditure programme outlined by the Executive and ensuring we get the most “bang for the buck” 3. Making it easier for businesses to employ people 4. Devising ways business and our Executive can work together to sort out our youth unemployment issue 5. Counter-balancing the long term liquidity issues that we are likely to face

 Almost 1 in 5 children leave primary school without achieving their expected level in English and Maths in 2009/10.  20% of the adult population suffering serious literacy and numeracy problems  The percentage of school leavers achieving 5 GCSEs A*-C including English and maths was 59.0% in 2009/10  The percentage of school leavers entitled to free school meals achieving 5 GCSEs A*-C including English and maths was 31.3% in 2009/10  85,000 empty school places which is equivalent of 150 schools

 NI unemployment rate is currently at 8.1% - (NISRA – NI Statistics and Research Agency)  45.5% have been unemployed for >1 year. (NISRA – NI Statistics and Research Agency)  Highest inactivity rate among the twelve UK regions at 26.9%.  Youth Unemployment for year olds 23.5%  Employment rate by education attainment ◦ No Qualifications-40% employment rate/60% unemployment rate ◦ Degree or above-84%

Skills Requirement

Advanced Manufacturing Advanced Materials Life & Health Sciences Telecoms & ICT Agri-food

£507 £454 £592 £471 £372

IndustryJob Potential by 2020 ICT Sector10,000 Agri-Food sector7,500 Health Tech5,900 Advanced Manufacturing1,700 Tradeable services21,000 Tourism10,000 Creative Industries11,700 Green/clean tech1,600 Induced/Direct jobs48,800 (8,700 retail, 5,600 hospitality, 4,700 in business services and 2,000 construction) Oxford Economics, Jan 2011

Skills Requirement

 Self Management-readiness to accept responsibility, time management, readiness to improve own performance  Teamworking-respecting others, co-operating, negotiating/persuading, contributing to discussions  Business & Customer awareness-basic understanding of the key drivers for business success and the need to provide customer satisfaction  Problem solving-analysing facts & circumstances and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions

 Communication & Literacy-application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy  Application of numeracy-manipulation of numbers, general mathematical awareness  Application of Information technology-basic IT skills, including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, file management and use of internet search engines  Positive Attitude