Other News In Brief

Justice Minister Welcomes Suspension Of NIPSA Strike Action

Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the news that police civilian staff has suspended their upcoming strike action.

The suspension was announced following a "constructive and positive" meeting on 09 July, hosted by the Minister with the PSNI, NIPB and NIPSA to discuss the Revised Environmental Allowance (REA)for police civilian staff.

At the meeting, the Minister reiterated her support for an uplift in the allowance and offered her continued support to the PSNI and the NI Policing Board to help them deliver it.

She said: "The announcement by NIPSA to suspend strike action is welcome and shows a real and shared determination by all parties to resolve this long-standing issue to a successful conclusion. I remain conscious of the need to undertake due diligence for public funds, however the discussions with NIPSA yesterday, and the proposal made last week, should offer reassurance to members.

"I do not underestimate the crucial roles police staff undertake across the organisation and I will continue to work with the Chief Constable and the Policing Board to aid them in delivering the longer-term sustainable REA position."

DAERA Consultation On NI Marine Licence Fees

Department for Agricultural, the Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir, has launched a public consultation on the fees for marine licences in Northern Ireland.

The Minister said the proposals were aimed at helping the Department to recover costs to provide the service as well as ensure a more effective licensing system is in place.

Minister Muir said: "Last year DAERA processed around 20 marine licence applications and we are running the service at a loss every year. With increasing interest in the use of the NI marine area for renewable energy, a streamlined marine licensing system will be essential in achieving the Executive's goal to deliver 1GW (gigawatt) of offshore wind from 2030."

Unlike other UK marine licensing authorities, DAERA can only charge a fee for determining an application for a marine licence and therefore cannot recover the cost for other related aspects of the licensing process which require Departmental resources. The proposals would bring DAERA in line with the rest of the UK.

The eight-week consultation is now open until 3 September 2024 and can be found on NI Direct, consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/ and also on the DAERA consultation webpage www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations. The responses submitted will help DAERA determine what steps need to be taken to develop a proportionate way forward.

New Collaborative Assured Skills Academies in Robotics and Automation

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the first in a series of three Collaborative Assured Skills Academies in Robotics and Automation to be delivered by South West College (SWC).

Funded by the Department for the Economy, SWC is offering an opportunity for 12 individuals to receive industry advised Robotics and Automation training that will provide them with the skills to take up potential Robotics and Automation roles with companies in Dungannon and the surrounding area.

Commenting on the Academy, Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: "This Academy is an excellent opportunity for people to learn the skills needed for a career in Robotics and Automation and to potentially gain employment with one of a number of employers in the local manufacturing sector. "Strengthening our local skills base will play a key part of our economic growth and my Department’s Assured Skills Academies have a proven successful track record in providing people with high quality training while helping employers access the skilled people they need to grow.

"This Assured Skills Academy will equip participants with the skills they need, through an industry-recognised qualification, and position them very strongly to kick-start a new career in a much sought after occupation.

"With no previous experience required and a £52.50 weekly training allowance for the duration of the Academy, as well as help with travel and childcare costs I would urge anyone who is interested to apply.”

Padraig McNamee, Curriculum Director, said: "South West College is delighted to launch this Assured Skills Academy focused on Industry 4.0 technologies. This program will equip ambitious individuals with cutting-edge skills in areas like robotics, automation, data analytics, cyber security, and smart manufacturing.

"By partnering with local businesses, we're ensuring that our curriculum directly addresses the needs of our regional economy. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the latest industrial technologies, positioning them for high-quality jobs that drive productivity and innovation. This academy represents our commitment to fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for our community to thrive in the digital industrial revolution.”

Maria Curran, Project Director at Manufacturing and Engineering Growth and Advancement (MEGA) commented: "We welcome the Assured Skills Academy in Robotics and Automation and are pleased to see that engineers from our member companies have actively collaborated with South West College to ensure the course delivery aligns closely with the needs and expectations of our local companies. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Department for the Economy for supporting this initiative. In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, it is imperative for the industry to have a workforce trained in the latest advancements. Whether by attracting new talent into the sector or by upskilling our current workforce, having proficient individuals in robotics and automation is crucial for advancing and growing our companies. This initiative will not only enhance our competitiveness but also secure a sustainable future for the industry.

"We strongly encourage anyone interested to apply for the course, which offers the flexibility of part-time sessions in the evenings and on Friday afternoons. This allows participants to gain valuable skills while managing their current commitments. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the future of manufacturing and engineering."

Successful participants will attend a 14 week part time intensive training course delivered by SWC at their dedicated training facility in Dungannon where they will study ETCAL Level 2 Preparing and Using Industrial Robots and Level 2 Assembling and testing Fluid Systems.

Following completion of the training, participants will be guaranteed an interview to take up a Robotics and Automation position at one of the supporting companies.

The part time Academy will be delivered between Monday 2 September and Friday 13 December 2024. Training will be delivered on Monday and Wednesday evenings between 6.00pm and 9.00pm, and Friday afternoons 2.00pm to 5.30pm

More information on eligibility and details on how to apply can be found on the Part-time Robotics and Automation Academy page (external link opens in a new window / tab)of the nidirect website.

The online application form must be completed by 12.00 noon on Friday 2 August 2024.

All applicants must be at least 18 years old by Monday 2 September 2024 and eligible to work in the UK at the time of application.