Industry News

3rd November 2014

Programme helps 520 firms develop new skills

A college-led innovation programme has helped 520 companies develop new skills, boost jobs and improve profits, according to Employment Minister Stephen Farry. Funded by the Department for Employment and Learning and delivered by the six regional colleges, the InnovateUs Programme provides fully funded specialist support to help equip small enterprises with new skills to support innovation that can boost productivity and competitiveness. The programme’s second year has helped up-skill more than...

3rd November 2014

Peninsula Services launches awards to recognise staff

Peninsula Care Services launched its inaugural ‘Heart of Peninsula Care Awards’ this week. The awards aim to reward and recognise the company’s most talented, dedicated and loyal staff. Managing director of Peninsula Care Services Jonny Cook, who sponsors Belfast Giants award-winning leading goal scorer Kevin Saurette, created these awards as part of the company’s sixth anniversary celebrations which also coincide with the creation of 30 new jobs. Speaking at...

3rd November 2014

Employment Briefs – Roberts’ New Role

Glyn Roberts, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association, has been appointed as the new independent, non-executive, chair of Colleges Northern Ireland. The appointment will take effect as of November 1 for an initial period of two years. Gerry Campbell, chief executive officer of Colleges Northern Ireland said: “I welcome the appointment of Glyn Roberts and look forward to working with him as Colleges Northern Ireland works...

3rd November 2014

Employment Briefs – Theft Crackdown

Laura Hughes has been appointed revenue protection blead with firmus energy. She will be responsible for all investigations of suspected thefts of gas or interference with gas equipment and her role also includes financial risk assessment. A recent graduate, Laura kick-started her career within the finance sector, building more than a year’s experience in Citigroup in the areas of reconciliations and trade breaks management. She holds a masters...

3rd November 2014

Employment Briefs – Network Engineer

John McCorry has been appointed network engineer at firmus energy. His role will involve the project management of construction activities to ensure that the firmus energy distribution network is constructed and operated in accordance with industry regulations. John has more than five years experience working in the natural gas industry and has been involved in the construction of the natural gas network. He joined firmus energy from McNicholas Construction, having...

27th October 2014

Academy Leads the way to Expansion

FINANCIAL services company FinTrU is considering further expansion in Northern Ireland thanks to the success of its re-cent Financial Services Academy, according to chief executive officer Darragh McCarthy. The academy, designed by the Department for Employment and Learning, FinTrU, Belfast Metropolitan College and the University of Ulster under the Assured Skills initiative, targets graduates from...

27th October 2014

Accounting Skills ‘Vital for growth of Ulster’s economy’

ACCOUNTANCY skills are essential to the long-term growth the Northern Ireland economy, according to a leading academic. Professor Gillian Armstrong, head of Ulster Business School’s department of accounting, finance and economics, was speaking at the launch of an expanded suite of accountancy programmes. “The new suite will focus on the practical application of accounting ideas,...

27th October 2014

New Appointment

THE Belfast-based packaging machinery manufacturer Sepha Ltd has appointed Stephen Smyth as operations manager. Stephen will be responsible for managing production and operations and promoting an efficient delivery on-time culture to improve the overall effectiveness of the company which makes leak detection and de-blistering machines for the world’s pharmaceutical industry. He previously worked at FG...

27th October 2014

Socially Acceptable

SOCIAL media can be useful in employee recruitment — but only if it is used properly, it was claimed. Northern Ireland executive recruiter Neal Lucas was responding to a new GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey which stated that although almost three-quarters of employers use social media as part of recruitment strategy, little over a quarter reported...

27th October 2014

Face of Jobfinder

NIJOBFINDER.CO.UK is already the go-to website for job seekers and now a new media campaign seeks to raise brand awareness even further. The £250,000 media investment will direct more job seekers than ever before to Nijobfinder’s award-winning website, making it the ideal place to advertise job vacancies. Look out for Findit, the new face of...