05/07/2001

BRIDGE TO EMPLOYMENT IN ICT SECTOR

MINISTER for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr Sean Farren has described the information communications technology (ICT) sector as having a “significant role” to play in the continuing regeneration of the Northern Ireland economy.

Speaking at a ceremony where he presented certificates to 14 people who have been offered jobs at Northbrook Technology Ltd, the Minister praised the company’s use of the Bridge to Employment programme to help in its recruitment of IT professionals.

The recruits had been unemployed graduates whose university degrees were in subjects other than information technology, but who went on to complete 20 weeks training in software development through the Bridge to Employment programme in conjunction with Northbrook Technology.

This was the second time the company had used the Bridge to Employment programme to recruit IT professionals, having recruited 11 graduates with similar backgrounds last year.

The Minister congratulated the ‘graduates’ on their achievements and added: “I am also pleased that Northbrook Technology is already implementing a third Bridge to Employment programme to recruit a further 12 graduates as part of its ongoing expansion plans.”

(CL)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 December 2003
Irish employers anticipate improvement in hiring activity
Irish employment confidence is showing signs of recovery, according to results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. For the quarter January to March 2003, the Net Employment Outlook is 3%, which is a modest recovery of 7% points from the previous quarter’s pessimistic outlook.
23 October 2002
New recruits banking on 'Bridge To Employment'
The Ulster Bank Group has teamed up with the 'Bridge To Employment' programme to recruit 23 new permanent members of staff for its Account Management Centre at Danesfort, Belfast.
19 August 2002
Report finds mixed fortunes for recruitment industry
The annual recruitment industry survey, produced for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), has shown that despite overall growth in the recruitment industry, the last year was a tough one for the sector. The survey found that total recruitment industry sales grew by 5.9%, the number of staff employed in the industry had declined by 7.
27 January 2004
Internet recruitment effectiveness doubles, says report
The effectiveness of the Internet in the recruitment process has doubled since 2000, according to research commissioned by recruitment group Reed. The research showed that more than two thirds of HR commentators (72%) now feel that the Internet is an effective recruitment medium, compared to 42% in 2000.
08 January 2002
Recruitment and Employment Confederation fears unemployment rise
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has expressed fears over the future of the UK economy with warnings of rising unemployment.