Local firms acquire new skills to tap into the trending market
Potential new markets have opened up for Belfast businesses thanks to a tendering support programme run by Belfast City Council. Ten local firms recently attended the Smarter Procurement Programme to help them identify and take advantage of sales opportunities within both sectors. Participants took part in a range of tailored workshops focusing on their presentation skills,...
College a Beacon of success as it wins national awards
The South West College has won a top award for its work to promote the importance of STEM subjects among employers and schools. It was one of three UK Beacon Awards given to the college, including a gold International Green Award for its work in sustainable technologies. Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry used...
The who, what, where when and why of the Northern Ireland job market
It’s no secret that the job market and unemployment have been major topics of conversation recently, but did you know that here in Northern Ireland unemployment is 10% lower than 25 years ago? We at nijobfinder.co.uk have been looking into the employment and recruitment statistics to give all jobseekers out there a little bit of...
Is a job in the Armed Forces for you?
The Armed Forces are holding a careers exhibition on the 17th and 18th March at Kinnegar Logistic Base in Holywood. The two-day event will take place from 11am to 4pm, giving anyone interested in a career in the Armed Forces the chance to find out everything they need to know about what life in the...
Ford: I’ll Improve Prison Learning
Justice Minister David Ford has pledged to address how the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) delivers learning and skills within prisons. A Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) inspection report found that while in some areas the provision of learning and skills is excellent, in others there is the need of improvement. Mr Ford said:...
Schools are hoping to clean up at awards
Time is running out if pupils want to enter this year’s SuperValu Best Kept School Awards and gain recognition for their environmental activities. The closing date for the competition, organised by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC) and sponsors SuperValu, is March 2. SuperValu joined forces with NIAC in 2004 to raise the profile of the...
Time to raise skills level of our workforce: Minister
Now is the time to raise skill levels and prepare for future opportunity, according to Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning. He was speaking at an awards events to honour the latest 28 organisations from across Northern Ireland today to be awarded the prestigious Investors in People (IiP) accreditation. He continued: “It is heartening...
Building programme brings jobs hope
A £500 million-plus roads and hospital building programme in Northern Ireland will provide a 3,000 job boost to the region’s beleaguered construction industry, Stormont ministers have pledged. Leaders of the powersharing executive heralded the range of infrastructure projects due for completion in the coming four years at a cost of £584 million as proof they...
Republic aims to create 200,000 new jobs through eight-year plan
An ambitious action plan to create 200,000 jobs over two four-year enterprise cycles has been unveiled by the Irish government. Taoiseach Enda Kenny claimed radical improvements in the way Irish government and business interact would result in a much-needed workforce boost in two swathes by 2020. The Action Plan on Jobs includes restructuring the country’s...
£4.2m ferry refurbishment contract puts wind back into joinery firms sails.
A government apprentice scheme has helped a Co Down firm almost double its workforce and more than treble its turnover in just three years, according to the latest figures. The MJM Group, a specialist joinery sub-contractor, now plans to expand its workforce in 2012 having secured a €5million refurbishment contract for a Scandinavian ferry operator....