MINISTER CELEBRATES DECADE OF PREMIERE TRAINING

ALAN Shannon, Permanent Secretary for the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment has praised the vital role that work-based placement has played in the Northern Irish economy.

Speaking at an awards ceremony for Premiere, the Graduate Management Development Programme, Mr Shannon announced that it had been estimated that the province’s economy had benefited by “in excess of £2 million” through increased rate of productivity and sales directly attributed to work-based placements this year.

The Minister went on to present certificates to this year’s graduates from the Premiere programme, which is currently celebrating its tenth successful year of operation. Delivered by Parity Training Limited, Premiere was developed to provide graduates with the key management skills required by employers, and to assist them to make the transition from the academic environment to the workplace. Each year the Programme offers 250 graduates the opportunity to develop these skills through a combination of structured training, study and work placement.

Acknowledging the contribution and dedication of Parity Training Limited in the delivery of Premiere over the past decade, the Permanent Secretary added: “The Programme is held in high regard by both employers and graduates alike. Indeed, during the past decade some 3,000 graduates have successfully completed Premiere.

“We in the Department are fully appreciative of the work Parity has put in year after year to ensure that Premiere continues to be a well-regarded route to a successful management career for many of our third levels graduates.” (CL)