A CEREMONY has been held to recognise the achievement of South Eastern Regional College (SERC) staff on their completion of ‘Bridging the Gap’ management programme.
The ceremony took place at the college’s Lisburn campus and celebrated the achievement of Level 5 management qualifications by 57 staff.
Addressing the staff and key stake-holders at the event, Minister for Employment and Learning Stephen Parry commented on the critical role that effective leadership and management plays, not only in education but also in local business.
“I commend the investment in the management skills of college staff which clearly demonstrates a keen-ness to further develop the success of the college,” he said.
“With managers trained at level 5 in leadership and management, SERC is working in parallel with what we aspire to for our businesses in Northern Ireland.
‘Through my department’s Employer Support Fund, further education colleges have been given the opportunity to work with small and medium sized enterprises to provide skills support.
This skills support pro-motes innovation and research and development activities across these businesses.”
A range of local stakeholders from industry and government who had provided input to the CM! accredited Bridging the Gap programme also at-tended the event.
“Each candidate during the programme, was required to research and complete a leadership project aimed at reviewing current processes to ensure they aligned with strategic goals.
SERC principal and chief executive Ken Webb said: “The college requires managers who can lead change, drive innovation and at the same time create efficient operations.
We created the Bridging the Gap Programme to equip leaders with the skillset to do this. “I congratulate members of the SERC team who have not only participated on the programme but contributed to the long term success of the college.”
Meanwhile, a new whiskey distill-ery is to create 15 new jobs in Kircubbin, Co Down.
The Echlinville Distillery is investing £1.5m with Invest Northern Ire-land assistance to develop premium Irish whiskey for markets outside Northern Ireland.
Invest NI’s Director of Food and Tourism John Hood said: “This is a very enterprising investment by an established businessman who has been engaged in the Irish whiskey industry for many years and also launched the successful Feckin brand in 2005 in the US and other international markets.
Our support has been shaped to enable Echlinville Distillery to develop and bring its planned whiskey brands and other spirits to markets outside Northern Ireland as quickly as practicable.”