Learning programme ‘to put students on the map’
FUNDAMENTAL changes planned for schools next year will enable Northern Ireland students to better compete for jobs on a global playfield, according to a leading educationalist. Avril Hall Callaghan, General Secretary of the Ulster Teachers’ Union, said the introduction of the Entitlement Framework will offer pupils a wider choice of subjects and skills –...
Matt nets prestigious Lucas Love IT award
MATT Johnston from Digital Circle was named as the winner of the ‘Lucas Love IT Award for outstanding contribution to the IT sector’. Receiving multiple award entries from a number of business professionals, organisations, educational institutions and consensus across the judging panel, Matt was presented with the prestigious accolade, at a special awards luncheon...
Students Praised
BELFAST Metropolitan College’s CoderDojo honoured students at a recent prize giving ceremony. CoderDojo is a movement orientated around running free not-for-profit coding clubs which teach young people to learn how to write computer code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more. Attending the prize giving was the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen...
Hike in Paid PHDS
THE number of publicly funded PhD places is set to grow by 60% in Northern Ireland, according to Employment Minister Dr Stephen Farry. An extra 300 such PhD places in areas of economic relevance will be created over the next 36 months. This builds on the existing provision of 495 such places. The additional...
£9m scheme to help young unemployed
A MULTI million pound support package for a range of employment schemes has been announced. The £9million support package will help young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). It aims to equip the most disadvantaged young people with the necessary job skills to move into the labour market and onto the careers...
Take action to save our creative sector
Although a job in the arts can seem like an impossible dream, there is a desperate need for people with the right technical skills, Helen Pozniak explains. So secret is the next major international film being tweaked on a Bournemouth campus that university staff are sworn to secrecy. Even students working alongside aren’t allowed to...
Hungry for growth
Garvagh based Annie’s Traditional Food Ltd will create 10 new jobs over the next two years as part of a £280,000 expansion. Established in 2010 by brothers Brian and Sean Mullan and Michael Devine, Annie’s Traditional Food manufactures a range of ready meals, soups and other convenience products for retail and wholesale trade customers. With...
O’Dowd honours young volunteers
VOLUNTEERING experience can help young people stand out from the crowd when it comes to applying for jobs, according to Education Minister, John O’Dowd. He was speaking as he congratulated the contribution made by young people who have become Millennium Volunteers. In a special Awards of Excellence ceremony in Belfast City Hall recently, the Minister...
Roll call for new social enterprise programme
BELFAST City Council is running a new business programme for individuals or groups in the city who want to explore the potential of becoming a social enterprise. Now open for recruitment, the Social Economy Outreach Programme will run from February to December 2013, and will support 10 groups in Belfast who want to become social...
Enniskillen hotel creates 33 jobs
A new hotel has opened in Enniskillen and with it the creation of more than 30 new jobs. Tourism Minister Arlene Foster officially opened the Enniskillen Hotel and announced that the £825,000 development will create 33 jobs over the next two years. The minister said: “This new Enniskillen Hotel is a very significant addition to...