A company’s employees are its greatest asset, according to Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry.
Addressing staff at a Schrader Electronics, manufacturing operator development day, he said it was crucial for firms to invest in their people.
Over 75 staff from Schrader’s Carrickfergus site attended the event, including senior managers, manufacturing and production staff.
Highlighting the importance of learning and developing new skills, the minister said: “My department is extremely keen to work with companies like Schrader Electronics to help ensure the skills needed to grow and prosper are in place.
“Improving our skills base is crucial if we are to boost growth and increase our international competitiveness.”
Paul Gardner, manufacturing director at Schrader Electronics, said: “Supporting and developing our manufacturing workforce in communication skills, team working skills and an understanding of continuous improvement principles, ensures that our workforce has the practical skills our business needs, and that we continue to have a committed and competent workforce, for our future growth.”
Schrader Electronics employs 1,100 staff in Northern Ireland and for 25 years has been a market leader in the design and manufacture of tyre pressure monitoring systems.
The company also manufactures electronics for the automotive and industrial markets.
The company is currently recruiting for a number of positions, including a range of engineers, project leaders, buyers and a human resources officer.
For more information on the posts available and how to apply turn to page 51 of today’s Nijobfinder.
Meanwhile, a new software course aims to equip non IT, HND or equivalent graduates with the skills and experience necessary to compete for job opportunities in the growing IT industry.
The 25-week programme delivers accreditation of the industry-recognised IT qualification, Level 5 BTEC Software Professionals Course.
Launching the course, minister Farry said: “The ICT Skills Action Plan challenges government to help match the skills of the workforce with the skills our employers need.
The Software Professionals Course is an excellent example of how we are doing exactly that.”
For the duration of the course, participants will be paid a weekly training allowance of £150 based on attendance.
Applications must be submitted online to http://spc.mindmill.co.uk before 4pm on Friday, January 17. The training course for successful applicants starts on Monday, February 3 and will be delivered in Belfast and Bangor by Belfast Metropolitan College and South Eastern Regional College.
Further information is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/software-professionals-course.