More targeted investment in financial services training is vital if the sector is to fulfil its jobs potential in Northern Ireland.
That was the message today from Dr Lisa Bradley of the University of Ulster’s Business School following the creation of 70 local financial services jobs through Invest NI’s Assured Skills programme.
“The Ulster Business School is committed to supporting the development of a knowledge based economy in Northern Ireland. Key to this is the supply of high quality, employable graduates with the skills that will attract and retain investment in our financial services industry,” said Dr Bradley.
“The financial services sector is constantly evolving and expanding requiring constant investment in programmes that will ensure our workforce is ready to meet the current and future skill requirements of potential investors.
“Targeted investment in training, such as Invest NI’s Assured Skills Programme, has proven to be successful in targeting high value jobs to Northern Ireland.
“This reinforces the need for continued development and expansion of such programmes as the sector remains underdeveloped here relative to the rest of the UK.
“Wealth creating opportunities are evident in the areas of regulation and risk management; and innovation and technology. In a sector where ‘time it money’ there is no doubt potential investors will be convinced that targeted training will very quickly provide them with the skills they need and securing high value, long-term employment for Northern Ireland.”
The 70 jobs announced this month will be located in financial services firm CME Group’s new state-of-the-art offices in Millennium House at Great Victoria Street, Belfast.
Thirty members of staff are currently in place there with the additional 70 employees expected to be recruited over the next year.
The investment in the new centre, announced in January 2012, has been supported by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for Employment and Learning under its Assured Skills Programme