Pilot Project To Upskill Construction Industry Managers
AN innovative new pilot programme for construction managers will improve management skills, gain a valuable qualification and help implement good business practice — and all at minimum cost. It was launched recently by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI, together with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). This Business Improvement Programme...
Students to design own prototypes
STUDENTS in Belfast will have a unique opportunity to design and prototype a product, through an innovative new initiative funded by Belfast City Council. Budding entrepreneurs can take part in the Make it to Market challenge — an enterprise competition open to third-level education students living in the city. Once proposals have been submitted, 10...
College Pioneers Online Course To Boost Business
SOUTH Eastern Regional College (SERC) has become the first college in the UK to develop a new online course in GIS (Geographical Information Systems) — the analysis of customer data, logistics, business trends. The Introduction to GIS will complement its existing part-time portfolio and has been tailored in response to the ever-changing technological landscape and...
Investment
MORE than 30 high quality jobs are to be created in Belfast. New York-based software provider, ShopKeep POS, is set to open an office on the Ormeau Road, creating 35 positions. Invest Northern Ireland has offered £245,000 of support for the investment, with the new jobs expected to contribute almost £1.3m annually to the economy....
Competition
SOUTHERN Regional College students from across its campuses have taken part in SRC’s recent Inter-Campus Skillbuild Competition. The event, held at SRC’s Portadown campus, was the first stage of the national Skillbuild competition. In all, 26 heats took place on the day, with industry experts judging the work and skills of the students. Skillbuild is...
Nominations Open For VQ Awards 2014
NOMINATIONS are now open for this year’s Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Awards 2014, celebrating the importance of vocational education and training. There are two award categories — VQ Learner of the Year and VQ Employer of the Year — and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in the Great Hall at Stormont as...
Science collaboration
QUEEN’S and University of Ulster have signed up as academic partners in Science Foundation Ireland’s internationally renowned Investigators Programme. Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry and the Republic’s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Minister Richard Bruton TD signed the ground-breaking collaboration agreement which will allow collaborative projects involving universities from both jurisdictions to undertake...
Cinemagic is producing Ulster’s next film buffs
THE creative industries are leading the way in creating jobs and helping to rebalance and grow Northern Ireland’s economy, according to First Minister Peter Robinson. He was speaking at a recent event in Parliament Buildings to celebrate the work of Cinemagic, which aims to create opportunities for young people through film and television. Cinemagic has...
Midwife competes for £2k bursary
A STUDENT midwife from Belfast has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award which recognises exceptional professional skills and potential. Suzie Smyth, who is studying at Queen’s University, has been nominated for the 2013/14 Outstanding Student Midwife award under the UK’s only scholarship for student nurses and midwives, run by Cavell Nurses’ Trust. The finalists...
Minister backing latest round of open day opportunities at regional colleges
EMPLOYMENT and Learning Minister Stephen Farry has launched the next round of open days to be held in Northern Ireland’s regional colleges. He said: “The Further Education (FE) sector plays a key role in the social and economic development of the people of Northern Ireland. Open days are an excellent opportunity for parents and prospective...