Other News In Brief

DUP Says Enniskillen BT/EE Job Loses Will Be A 'Major Blow'

Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA, Deborah Erskine, has said that the news of a proposed closure date later this year for the BT/EE office in Enniskillen will be a 'major blow' to the town.

Affecting over 300 employees, Mrs Erskine stated that despite the company not being definitive "there appears to be no likelihood that the jobs in question will remain after the required consultation".

In a statement, Mrs Erskine said:

"This is a major blow to Enniskillen, with the loss of over 300 jobs, but primarily my thoughts are with all of those directly affected by the announcement. When the news first emerged in February, staff were told that the site was not likely to be a long-term location for a customer care centre, but that no final decision had been made.

"There has been a significant campaign since that time in an attempt to retain jobs in Enniskillen if possible. I am currently engaging with the Chief Executive of Invest NI and I am awaiting a meeting in relation to Enniskillen with the Economy Minister. The consequences for the local economy in Enniskillen as a result of such a decision to close the BT/EE site are far reaching.

"Regional balance in our economy is very important and particularly for areas in the West like Enniskillen which are further away from some of the main population centres and so opportunities are more difficult to access.

"Whilst those staff who have not signed up to the voluntary paid leaver scheme have been given the option of moving to another location, this is not likely to be feasible for many people. The company has previously been warned about the reputational damage they could suffer as a result of how this has been handled, so it is incumbent upon them to ensure that the terms of redundancies put in place treat staff fairly."

New And Revamped Play Parks Open In Ards And North Down

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, has officially opened several new and refurbished play parks, highlighting a £650,000 investment by Ards and North Down Borough Council.

New play parks in Bangor and Ballygowan have been officially opened, with more to follow in Newtownards, Kircubbin and Helen's Bay.

Dickson Park in Ballygowan has undergone an upgrade, transitioning from a Tier 3 to a Tier 2 play park. This improvement will greatly benefit the children in the area. Play and Leisure Services have installed brand new equipment, such as swings and climbing frames, designed to cater to children of all ages and abilities.

The Mayor also opened the newly refurbished play park at Kilcooley Square. Collaborating with Garden Escapes, they've crafted a vibrant, modern and enjoyable play area, featuring accessible equipment tailored for children of diverse abilities.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said: "Levelling Up funding helped to cover the cost of a new play park in Comber's DeWind Drive last year, so the Council was able to roll over the money it had set aside for that park to be able to increase its investment in play parks this year. These are really worthwhile investments and the new and refurbished play parks are fantastic assets for the local community."

Additional play parks in Newtownards, Kircubbin and Helen's Bay will be officially opened over the coming weeks.

New Council E-Hub Offers Over 50 Apprenticeship Opportunities

Mid and East Antrim's Labour Market Partnership has announced over 50 apprenticeship opportunities with local employers which are now available through the Apprenticeship E-Hub.

In collaboration with Workplus, the pilot project aims to improve the connection between employers and emerging talent. The Apprenticeship E-Hub simplifies the recruitment process for apprenticeships by connecting opportunities and applications in one online place.

Opportunities include Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) in Supply Chain & Logistics, Accountancy as well as Level 2 & 3 apprenticeships in personal training, Engineering, Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair and Electrical.

A diverse range of employers, including both large enterprises and SMEs across various sectors such as Blaney, BeFIT Personal Training, Wrightbus, Gas & Controls, Ryobi and Quinn Hearse & Limousine Ltd., are participating in the initiative. As part of the project, local employers and apprentices will contribute to a collection of videos and blogs, sharing insights into their apprenticeship journeys.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, welcomed the E-Hub and said:

"MEA LMP are keen to promote progressive career pathways including apprenticeships. Now that all-age apprenticeships have been introduced there is a need for greater promotion of opportunities locally particularly for different demographics and for people with disabilities and career changers as well as school leavers.

"The Apprenticeship E-Hub will not only make it easier for employers to explore apprenticeships and hire apprentices through its new online apprenticeship platform, but it will make it easier for individuals to see the opportunities available to them from our excellent employers. It’s a straight-forward application process that will allow aspiring apprentices to apply to multiple opportunities through one application."

Applications open on 13 May and close at 12pm on Friday 31 May 2024.