Department of Trade & Industry

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE

Overall Responsibilities

The primary functions of the Chief Executive's Office are to provide policy advice to the Minister and Members and effective implementation of the Department's policy and strategy, thus the Office has overall responsibility for policy development, management and control within the Department.

The Office leads the Department's strategic and operational planning process, is responsible for the management and coordination of the budgetary process and also ensures the efficient allocation and management of resources. The management of ongoing operational and financial performance across the Department in accordance with Financial Regulations is also part of this function.

The Office plans the development of the organisation, its services, programmes and people and supports the organisation through the development of management information, planning, performance and control systems.

UK, European and international matters relating to the functions of the Department are dealt with by the Office as is the co-ordination of responses to ad hoc strategic and operational matters.

The Department's remit in relation to the public utilities is undertaken by the Office.

Location and Organisation

The Chief Executive's Office (including the Office of the Minister) principal location is:

Legislation and Policy Unit

In addition, the senior officers are supported by staff who provide a range of administrative, clerical and secretarial services.

• Leading policy development and the strategic and operational planning processes
• Driving organisational development and operational efficiency
• Facilitating the personal development of staff
• Developing energy policy
• Liaising with statutory boards
• Developing minerals policy and legislation and managing the Island's minerals resources

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Overall Responsibilities

The aim of the Economic Development Group is to encourage the growth and diversification of the economy through the development of existing businesses and the pursuit of new opportunities. Promotional and marketing activities are undertaken to encourage the development of the industrial and film & media sectors and in connection with opportunities related to e-commerce.

The Group manages a range of schemes and initiatives to encourage new businesses to start-up on the Island and existing ones to invest in new technologies and working practices in order to be more efficient and competitive. In conjunction with the Department's industrial consultants, the Group undertakes the financial appraisal of projects submitted for financial assistance.

The Group is also responsible for the management of all mineral resources vested in the Department, development of the retail sector and a range of industrial property owned by the Department including administration of the lease on the Isle of Man Freeport.

Location and Organisation

The Economic Development Group is based at:

The senior officers are supported by a dedicated team who provide a range of administrative, clerical and secretarial services. The Group works closely with the Department's industrial, film and mineral consultants.

• Encouraging economic diversification
• Managing the Promotion, Marketing and Publicity activities of the Group
• Encouraging existing commercially viable businesses to grow and be more competitive
• Increasing knowledge and understanding of issues in relation to the retail sector
• Encouraging the personal development of staff

SHIP REGISTRY

Overall Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Administration can be separated into two core areas. The first is a key part of the Department's overall vision and requires the Administration to encourage shipping related business into the Isle of Man. It does this by promoting both the Isle of Man and its own services to maintain and, if possible, expand the Isle of Man registered fleet and with it the Island's overall shipping business.

The second is the Administration's duty to ensure the safety of everyone serving in, or travelling on, an Isle of Man registered ship while, at the same time, preventing pollution of the marine environment. This is achieved by enforcing the laws, both national and international, which govern the construction, equipment and operation of ships.

Location and Organisation

The Ship Registry is based at:

The management team is supported by a professional team providing ship survey, legal, administrative, clerical and secretarial services.

• Developing the Register while maintaining its Category 1 Status
• Encourage new and existing commercially viable shipping enterprises and shipping related development and employment opportunities
• Encouraging the personal development of staff

TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GROUP

Overall Responsibilities

The work of the Training and Employment Group falls into three broad categories. These are concerned with employment services, training services and employment legislation and equality. In addition to these the Group also operates and provides advice on the Department's remit in relation to the construction industry.

The availability of a skilled workforce sufficient in number to support changing local needs is central to the success of the economy and to this end the Group is actively advancing its understanding of workforce planning issues. Allied to this there is a need to encourage flexibility in the labour market and to identify probable future workforce and skills requirements. The operation of the Jobcentre is a key element in encouraging an efficient labour market, the Group continues to extend the services offered to individuals and employers via both traditional and electronic means.

The Group is committed to the development of people's skills through the management of vocational training strategy, and the continuation of financial assistance to encourage learning and development. The local economy demands a workforce of sufficient number and with the necessary skills to keep pace with changes in markets, processes, technology and demand. It is crucial that people on the Island have the right skills to enable them to contribute to the competitiveness of the economy.

A learning culture, which is about encouraging people to acquire, update and upgrade their skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis, continues to be developed by the Group as a means of enhancing the skills base in the workforce. The Investors in People programme, which is promoted and managed by the Group, is viewed as a key element in the development of this culture.

The ongoing development administration of a sound framework of employment legislation which meets our international obligations and recognises the needs of local employers and employees alike is an important element in the work of the Group. This goes hand in hand with Government's overall policy of ensuring that individuals are afforded the greatest possible equality of treatment and opportunity within a free and fair society.

Location and Organisation

The Training and Employment Group is organised into the following operational areas:

Work Permit Office and Inspectors

Job Centre

In addition, the senior officers are supported by staff who provide a range of technical, administrative, clerical and secretarial services.

• Further developing understanding of current and future workforce skills requirements and offering opportunities for individuals to acquire appropriate skills
• Maximising the proportion of the population which is economically active
• Assisting those seeking work to find it and employers to recruit employees suited to their needs
• Developing a sound framework of employment legislation which is appropriate to local circumstances and in accordance with international obligations
• Discharging the Department's remit in relation to the construction industry
• Encouraging the personal development of staff