Graduates set to fast track careers with Premiere2

The chief executives and business leaders of the future are set to take their first strides into the workplace this month as another 50 graduates begin placements with local companies through the award-winning Premiere2 development programme.

They are part of a total of 250 graduates who this year will be placed in Northern Ireland businesses in order to fast-track their employment prospects in management.

Competition in the corporate race remains fierce and the province's managers are constantly seeking people with the practical skills and drive to succeed.

For 13 years now Premiere, and its successor Premiere2, have been feeding the Northern Ireland economy with the top business and non-business graduates, and putting them through an intensive programme which focuses on first-class learning and work experience.

The result is a prestigious programme, delivered by Parity Training on behalf of the Department for Employment and Learning under its 'Managing Your Future' initiative, which currently has more than 3,500 of its graduates in the Northern Ireland workforce.

Nine out of ten graduates on last year's course are now in employment - and there are still some places in the January 2004 intake for people interested in a management career. For further information, click on www.premiereprogramme.com.

The current intake are well aware of the importance the Premiere2 programme plays in helping them get jobs in management.

One of them, Jennifer O'Hanlon said: "I realise that despite having the academic knowledge, I miss the practical experience needed to get the right management job for me. The Premiere2 programme is an excellent opportunity for me to bridge this gap and fulfil my aim of working in marketing."

Conor MacNamara, Programme Manager, Premiere2, said: "Northern Ireland businesses, especially small companies, expect young managers to make an immediate and sustained impact.

"Business is about using management techniques and translating them into working practice. That is what we do on the Premiere2 course.

"It's rewarding for us to see those young people with the talent for management taking advantage of the Premiere2 programme to fast track challenging careers within the Northern Ireland business community."

On top of the 50 graduates who this week have joined local companies for a 14-week placement, another 80 will be sent out next month, with the rest due later in 2004.