Youngsters show how to get smart with Get Started training programme
A successful programme run by The Prince’s Trust is giving Northern Ireland young people an insight into jobs within the creative industries. Almost three-quarters of the 40 participants on the Invest Northern Ireland-backed Get Started project are now working, in training or in education, according to the Prince’s Trust. Get Started targets 16 to...
Schools ‘need to look East’
The Department of Education should look to the East for lessons on improving teachers’ career progression, it was claimed today. Gillian Dunlop, who teaches at Donaghadee primary in North Down, said Far Eastern countries, such as South Korea, Singapore and Japan constantly outperformed the UK in international studies on maths and science. “It is no...
Multi-million funding to help young unemployed
Multi-million funding to help young unemployed A multi-million pound cash boost targeting youth unemployment here is one of the largest of its kind in any UK region, according to a Department of Employment and Learning source. This additional funding includes £8million for Steps to Work, DEL’s main adult return to work programme and £5.8million...
Extra funding set to boost traditional building skills
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI has secured additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through its Skills for the Future Programme to expand training in traditional building skills here. The £240,000 HLF grant will provide 10 work-based training placements with experienced practitioners working on traditional (pre-1919) buildings. It will also fund four heritage ambassadors to act as...
Leading IT firm brings 26 jobs to Belfast with new support centre
A leading IT company is creating 26 new jobs in Northern Ireland. Version 1’s new Oracle Competency Centre will be based in Belfast to provide support to both local and international businesses. Version 1 made its announcement alongside Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster MLP. Invest Northern Ireland has offered £359,000 of support,...
Fashion stars of tomorrow shine at Met’s glittering student showcase
Northern Ireland’s up and coming student fashionistas have been celebrating in style as they mark the end of term. Fashion students, hair and beauty stylists, performing artists and industry experts all came together recently for Belfast Met’s spectacular end of year fashion show. The glamorous occasion, held in the Andrews Gallery in the Titanic Building,...
Northgate initiative aims to close ICT’s gender gap
A Northern Ireland business is aiming to bridge the gender gap in employment impacting on the ICT sector here. Service provider Northgate Managed Services is helping almost 800 girls aged 10-14 consider future careers in the sector through the CC4G (Computer Club for Girls) project. Developed by e-skills UK with funding from Northgate it is...
ChefSkills competition serves up success for our young culinary talents
Competitors from across Northern Ireland have taken part in the recent bi-annual ChefSkills competition in Belfast ChefSkills, which is sponsored by the Department for Employment and Learning, is a three-day competition where participants compete for a number of titles including the coveted Chef of the Year Award. A number of students from the Republic of...
Best Support for SEN pupils is smaller class size
New funding for Special Educational Needs is sending mixed messages, according to a leading Northern Ireland educationalist. Avril Hall Callaghan, General Secretary of the locally-based Ulster Teachers’ Union, welcomed SEN support scholarships for school support staff in England but warned that it would not suit the NI model. “The SEN sector here is in the...
Best of vocational training strategy rolled out to impress Swiss visitors
Swiss educationalists are looking to Northern Ireland for best practice when it comes to vocational training. Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry recently hosted a delegation from Switzerland’s Federal Office to discuss the province’s Skills Strategy. Mr Farry said: “Last year I launched the Northern Ireland Skills Strategy, Success through Skills – Transforming Futures,...