Other News In Brief

Justice Minister Visits Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre

Justice Minister Naomi Long has visited Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre which works with 10-17 year-olds who have been placed in custody.

The Youth Justice Agency (YJA) facility in Bangor is a safe, secure and stimulating environment, where staff provide support for up to 48 boys and girls, helping them to address their offending behaviour, diverting them from crime and assisting their integration back into the community.

Minister Naomi Long said: "My visit to Woodlands has allowed me to see at first hand the important work being done with young people. I met with staff who are enthusiastic and committed in their belief that they can help those young people make life-changing choices through a wide range of health, education and recreational services."

The Minister added: "By delivering interventions designed to address offending behaviour and raising victim awareness, we are reducing the risk of reoffending and setting young people on a path to a better life in their own community. However, there remains a continuing need for a multi–agency partnership approach to deliver interventions for vulnerable young people, as well as a wider cross-Departmental response to tackle the underlying societal issues that lead to offending."

During the visit to Woodlands Minister Long also took the opportunity to launch the Youth Justice Agency (YJA) Corporate Plan 2022-25, which sets out the strategic direction for the development and delivery of the Agency's services over this period, and which features some of the award winning artwork produced by the young people in Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre.

Minister Long said: "This Plan reflects the Agency's mission 'to reduce offending by supporting children to achieve their full potential'. It provides the basis for delivery of services both in the community and custody to achieve better outcomes for children who have offended, or are at risk of offending, for their families, victims and the wider community."

The priorities within the YJA Corporate Plan closely align with the Strategic Framework for Youth Justice 2022-27, which was published in March 2022, and collectively provide a series of comprehensive actions to prevent children from being drawn into the criminal justice system.

Census Data Must Be Examined Closely – UUP

The UUP has welcomed the latest NI census data, which Mike Nesbitt said needs to be "examined closely".

Mr Nesbitt said: "Our initial assessment is that the evidence vindicates the stance taken by the Ulster Unionist Party since 1998, recognising that we need to build a Northern Ireland in which everyone has a stake and can see a future for themselves and their families.

"Northern Ireland is changing and a modern pluralist society is developing here. We are confident that the Union with GB offers the best future for the people of NI and the task in hand now is to continue to make that case.

"Whilst much of the focus will be on the religious headcount, it has been obvious for many decades that not all Catholics are nationalists or republicans, and not all Protestants vote for unionist parties.

"The situation regarding identity and nationality is more complex than some like to portray and the Ulster Unionist Party is focused on increasing the number of people who support and vote for the Union, regardless of religious affiliation or background. That is the challenge for the future."

KPMG Data Engineering Assured Skills Academy Open For Applications

A new Data Engineering Assured Skills Academy with KPMG has been announced by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons.

Funded by the Department for the Economy, the Assured Skills Academy, which is open to applications from people with at least a 2:2 degree in any discipline, or a Level 5 qualification in an ICT or STEM related subject, will see 20 participants receive industry-relevant pre-employment training with Belfast Met from 21 November 2022 to 8 February 2023.

Participants who successfully complete the Academy will be guaranteed an interview with KPMG for roles as Data Engineers within their Belfast Centre of Excellence.

Encouraging those who meet the entry criteria to apply, the Minister said: "As we move into a decade of economic transformation around our 10X Economic Vision, strengthening our local skills base and investing in skills is essential to grow our economy. This Academy provides a great opportunity for suitably qualified individuals to develop an excellent career as a business consultant in a challenging environment and work towards becoming one of the business leaders of tomorrow.

"With no experience needed and a £155 per week training allowance, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a multinational company with an expanding presence in Northern Ireland and I urge anyone who is interested and eligible to apply."

Johnny Hanna, Partner in Charge of KPMG in Northern Ireland, commented: "After the success of our other AI and Cyber Security Academies, KPMG are delighted to again offer ambitious graduates in any discipline the opportunity to join our Centre of Excellence and to develop a professional career in the field of Data Engineering. This opportunity will be challenging but equally rewarding to those who have an analytical mindset, an aptitude to solve complex business issues and a desire to succeed in their career."

Applications for the KPMG Data Engineering Assured Skills Academy are open now and close at midnight on Sunday 9 October.