Other News In Brief

Assured Skills Data and Analytics Academy Announced

A new Assured Skills Data and Analytics Academy with EY, providing 20 high quality training places, has been announced by Economy Minister Conor Murphy.

Fully funded by the Department for the Economy, this exciting Academy will provide successful applicants with practical experience, the opportunity to gain industry recognised qualifications and access to resources to develop business knowledge and technical skills in data analysis.

Commenting on the Academy, the Minister said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to gain the skills and knowledge to make them industry-ready for a career in Data and Analytics. Assured Skills Academies have a proven track record in upskilling participants, making them well placed to be competitive in the labour market.

"This is the fifth academy in partnership with EY, supporting their growth plans of 1,000 new jobs in the north over the next five years. With a weekly training allowance of £175 for the duration of the Academy, as well as help with travel costs and childcare, I encourage all who are interested and eligible to apply."

Rob Heron, Managing Partner, EY Northern Ireland, said: "EY Northern Ireland is excited to be working with Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for the Economy to launch this Data and Analytics Academy. This will be the fifth EY academy to be delivered within the last year. The four academies already delivered played a key role in helping EY NI meet our strategic target of 1,000 new jobs.

"Through the academies, we are attracting a diverse range of employees in terms of culture, background, skillset and knowledge, including those returning to work, just left university or looking for a career change. We are hoping that this latest academy will continue to attract employees into the business to support our clients."

The eight-week intensive training programme will be delivered by South Eastern Regional College at the SPACE campus, Bangor combining both onsite and online learning and covering topics such as SQL, Power BI, Python and Microsoft Azure. Successful academy participants will be guaranteed an interview with EY Northern Ireland on completion of the training.

Tommy Martin, Principal and Chief Executive of SERC, commented: "SERC is delighted to be partnering with EY and DfE on this Assured Skills Academy Programme in Data and Analytics. This is an opportunity for candidates to develop skills and gain qualifications in this dynamic field. This Academy is enabling SERC to further fulfil our commitment to supporting economic growth across Northern Ireland, and candidates will be well supported on their exciting journey ahead."

Training will commence on Monday 11 November 2024 and finish on Friday 17 January 2025. Applicants must be available to attend full time, in person for the duration of the training period.

Experience is not required but applicants must:

• be at least 18 or over

• hold an honours degree in any subject

• be eligible to work in the UK

• have appropriate IT access to link to the online tuition.

Applications for the Data and Analytics Assured Skills Academy are open until noon on Monday 7 October 2024.

To find out more and apply, visit nidirect.

Greens Welcoming Opening Of Grand Central Station

Green Party Councillors have welcomed the opening of Belfast's new Grand Central Station.

Cllr Áine Groogan and Cllr Anthony Flynn visited the new Grand Central Station as services begin to resume for passengers travelling via the bus terminals, with the resumption of rail coming soon.

Cllr Groogan said: "This is an historic moment for Belfast as new and expanded public transport strengthens bonds between our local communities and helps deliver on our ambitions for decarbonising transport, cutting car use and improving air quality in Belfast."

Cllr Flynn added: "I am delighted to see this investment in infrastructure with the potential for new routes opening in future. The Green Party has long campaigned for more investment in public services and active travel. We must start to address the huge disparity in public transport spending in NI compared to GB or the South."

Durkan Welcomes Recognition Of Need For PSNI Recruitment

SDLP Policing Board member Mark H Durkan has welcomed recognition of the need to improve PSNI resourcing and officer numbers.

He was speaking after an SDLP Opposition amendment was passed in the Assembly on Monday.

It urged the Executive and UK Government to work with the PSNI and Policing Board to address the issues facing the police service.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: "For years the PSNI have been warning that budget cuts would have dire consequences and after a total failure from the Executive and Justice Minister to address the challenges facing our police service we are now beginning to see the outworking of this on our streets and in our communities with severe consequences for victims of crime.

"This has been a very difficult summer for our police service responding to racist and sectarian riots and even having to take the step of asking for the support of police in other parts of these islands due to the lack of officers available. That we have less than 4,500 deployable officers available is cause for serious concern and the matter is not helped when the Chief Constable is rebuked for seeking additional help from the government.

"I welcome the support for our amendment today which cut through the din of Executive parties squabbling with each other to bring much needed focus to what is a very important issue that affects everyone in the North. Our police service should never have been allowed to get into this state and every stakeholder has to duty to ensure they have the resources necessary to increase officer numbers and keep people safe."