NORTHERN Ireland’s top placement employers have been recognised at an awards event.
Ulster University’s Placement Employer of the Year Awards celebrated those employers who inspire and nurture the next generation of business leaders.
Among the local and international employers recognised at this year’s awards were PwC, Warner Bros. Games, and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, Kainos, WDR & RT Taggart and I S Arc.
Annually, 2,000 Ulster University students undertake work placements.
Work experience manager at Ulster University, Seamus McConomy, said: “The university provides placements to ensure our graduates are equipped with the necessary work-ready skills that are highly sought after by employers. This early exposure to the working world develops not only students’ technical capabilities but also their softer skills such as teamwork, communication and decision-making.”
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s only private equity backed startup accelerator programme, StartPlanetNI, is inviting high growth potential start-ups from NI and international markets to choose Belfast as their business launchWanted: Summer relief staff, pad. Following on from the first cohort, which has helped establish Belfast as a go-to location in the UK and Europe for ambitious start-ups, StartPlanetNI is offering places for up to 10 companies, with half drawn from Northern Ireland and the rest coming from international markets.
The programme is specifically designed for technology focused start-ups who have ideally been in operation for less than 24 months, but who have an immediate global market potential.
Each successful participant will receive seed equity investment of £15,000, with the opportunity to gain up to £40,000 investment on completion of the three-month programme, which starts in September.
The deadline for applications is May 27.