Other News In Brief

Assured Skills Academy in Early Learning and Childcare

A new Assured Skills Academy in Early Learning and Childcare has been announced by Economy Minister, Conor Murphy.

Funded by the Department for the Economy, Belfast Met is collaborating with four local companies in Belfast and the surrounding area to offer 20 individuals the opportunity to follow an industry advised training programme that will provide them with the skills and experience they need to take up exciting new roles in the Early Learning and Childcare sector.

Speaking during a visit to Belfast Met, Minister Murphy said: "This academy provides an opportunity for people who want to work in early years and childcare. This is a hugely important and rewarding sector in which workers are very much in demand.

"Training will be delivered over 12 weeks. The first six weeks are part time and the last six weeks involve full-day sessions.

"With a weekly training allowance, plus assistance with travel and childcare costs while you train, this is a great opportunity and I urge anyone who is interested to apply."

Belfast Met Interim Principal and Chief Executive Damian Duffy added: "We are delighted to have worked closely with a range of childcare providers across Northern Ireland to shape this new programme. We hope that it will deliver inclusive pathways into childcare for women returners who can bring life skills and experience to the industry and who will be supported by the College and our employers to explore the many employment opportunities available."

Successful applicants will attend a twelve-week intensive training course delivered by Belfast Met at their Castlereagh Campus where they will study accredited training modules covering safeguarding, first aid, food hygiene and manual handling in addition to practical childcare sessions, digital documentation training and supervised engagement with children.

Following completion of the training, participants will be guaranteed an interview to take up a position with one of four supporting companies.

More information on eligibility and details on how to apply can be found on www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/early-learning-and-childcare-academy

The online application form must be completed by 17.00 on Friday 4 October 2024.

SDLP Welcomes New Mobile Phones In School Guidance

SDLP MP Claire Hanna has welcomed the announcement of new guidance for schools on mobile phone use, issued by Education Minister Paul Given.

Commenting on the guidance the MP said: "Smartphones are part of modern life, and are valuable windows to information, opportunity and social connection. While welcoming the potential of technology it is also appropriate to give people, particularly children, space to think and learn without distraction and as such I welcome the Education Minister's intention to ask schools to give thought to how phones are used during the school day. I have previously engaged with parents campaigning on this in Northern Ireland and had asked the Minister about the position in recent months.

"It's important that concerns about smartphones don't give way to a moral panic, but also that they aren't dismissed. Digital skills are vital throughout the curriculum and should continue to be mainstreamed in the school day but restricted use of handheld devices will reduce interruption, help with focus and safeguarding and hopefully support better mental health for young people.

"School leaders will require the support of parents and the entire school community when it comes to tackling mobile phone use that is detrimental to learning. We know from research that digital distraction is not merely an inconvenience; it appears to have a tangible association with learning outcomes.

"It is important that a range of options have been made available to schools and capacity is recommended for exceptional circumstances."

Alliance Cllr Helena Young Expresses Condolences On Death Of Care Worker

Alliance Slieve Croob Councillor Helena Young has expressed her condolences following the death of care worker Anu Okusanya, who passed away in hospital after fleeing the scene of an assault on another person close to her home in Newry.

It's been reported she fled the scene in fear after having been attacked in the area herself in the past, and as a result suffered an asthma attack and multiple heart attacks.

Cllr Young has said: "These reports are incredibly upsetting, and my heart goes out to Anu's family and loved ones at what must be an unthinkably difficult time.

"Anu was making a life here for herself, and was even preparing to welcome her son in a couple of weeks, who was also coming to work and to join his mother and family. She worked in the nursing home that my dad is in, and her dedication to caring for others was evident to everyone who knew her.

"The fact alone that she had reported being targeted with abuse herself by young people, on two previous occasions since June, is sickening. My party colleague, Justice Minister Naomi Long, echoed in her own sentiments today the stark importance going forward of tackling the prejudice and misinformation fuelling the terror people from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds are often tragically subjected to in our society.

"It's shameful that this lovely, caring woman did not feel safe here. My thoughts are with Anu's family and with her colleagues in Ashgrove Care Home, who are devastated by her loss."