Does anyone use the governors for ship building etc...

[cascalonginus]

I tried clicking on the minister icon for a couple of mining ships and they didnt do squat. Is there a general control that has to be turned on first to even get em running at all?

[Suicide Junkie]

Yep. "individual" ministers only use the ships that you've turned on AI for. Under the crown button, there should be a ministers option.
Check off the ministers you wish to use, and they will start working on the ships you've given them.