Menu
21/02/2006
£35m fund awarded to boost NI skills base
Secretary of State Peter Hain has today announced a £35 million fund to help boost the skills base in Northern Ireland.
Mr Hain said the two-year package for the Skills and Science Fund at the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education "was a shot in the arm for everyone who wanted Northern Ireland to move forward."
Mr Hain highlighted the importance of increasing the skills base of the working population in order to secure the jobs we have, to encourage new investors to the province, and to give current investors the adequate skills to be able to compete in a worldwide market.
He said: “Unless Northern Ireland becomes internationally renowned for its skills base, we have no prospect of winning new business and creating the high class jobs necessary to ensure prosperity and growth.”
The Belfast Institute, which hopes to benefit from a portion of the funding, is currently training approximately 400 technology apprentices and helping schools to educate pupils who do not intend to follow the academic route.
At today's launch Peter Hain paid tribute to the wide range of outreach vocational, training and educational initiatives being taken by BIFHE in the greater Belfast area and added: “The investment in BIFHE’s new city centre campus is indeed a vote of confidence in the Institute and underlines its drive to make education and training pivotal to the real world of work.”
The Secretary of State also announced that £0.7 million of the Fund is to be allocated to the “Step-Up” programme, which will help young people to progress in a flexible way along a ladder of skills and qualifications at their own learning pace.
He said: “The key to a better and sustainable economy in Northern Ireland is to make that all important and timely connection between the needs of employers and our education and training systems." He concluded by saying that today further initiatives are being added to achieve that goal.
(EF/SP)
Mr Hain said the two-year package for the Skills and Science Fund at the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education "was a shot in the arm for everyone who wanted Northern Ireland to move forward."
Mr Hain highlighted the importance of increasing the skills base of the working population in order to secure the jobs we have, to encourage new investors to the province, and to give current investors the adequate skills to be able to compete in a worldwide market.
He said: “Unless Northern Ireland becomes internationally renowned for its skills base, we have no prospect of winning new business and creating the high class jobs necessary to ensure prosperity and growth.”
The Belfast Institute, which hopes to benefit from a portion of the funding, is currently training approximately 400 technology apprentices and helping schools to educate pupils who do not intend to follow the academic route.
At today's launch Peter Hain paid tribute to the wide range of outreach vocational, training and educational initiatives being taken by BIFHE in the greater Belfast area and added: “The investment in BIFHE’s new city centre campus is indeed a vote of confidence in the Institute and underlines its drive to make education and training pivotal to the real world of work.”
The Secretary of State also announced that £0.7 million of the Fund is to be allocated to the “Step-Up” programme, which will help young people to progress in a flexible way along a ladder of skills and qualifications at their own learning pace.
He said: “The key to a better and sustainable economy in Northern Ireland is to make that all important and timely connection between the needs of employers and our education and training systems." He concluded by saying that today further initiatives are being added to achieve that goal.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
19 August 2013
£1.5m Funding To Boost Employment
£1.5m funding has been released by the Department for Employment and Learning to boost employment and learning opportunities. The Skills Collaboration fund was launched today by Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry. The fund will focus on employer-led projects and on enhancing skills competitions.
£1.5m Funding To Boost Employment
£1.5m funding has been released by the Department for Employment and Learning to boost employment and learning opportunities. The Skills Collaboration fund was launched today by Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry. The fund will focus on employer-led projects and on enhancing skills competitions.
18 April 2002
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
03 June 2019
Deloitte Launches Grad Training Scheme
Graduates from Northern Ireland can now apply for an exciting high quality training programme with Deloitte. 24 spaces are available on the Deloitte Assured Skills Academy which gives participants the opportunity to gain the skills needed for a career in business consultancy using the latest technology and software.
Deloitte Launches Grad Training Scheme
Graduates from Northern Ireland can now apply for an exciting high quality training programme with Deloitte. 24 spaces are available on the Deloitte Assured Skills Academy which gives participants the opportunity to gain the skills needed for a career in business consultancy using the latest technology and software.
18 January 2022
Over 80 Apprenticeship Opportunities Available Across NI
More than 80 apprenticeship opportunities across Northern Ireland have been announced in the latest campaign from Workplus. The campaign, which runs until the end of February, has apprenticeships in a variety of roles including engineering, manufacturing, logistics and software development.
Over 80 Apprenticeship Opportunities Available Across NI
More than 80 apprenticeship opportunities across Northern Ireland have been announced in the latest campaign from Workplus. The campaign, which runs until the end of February, has apprenticeships in a variety of roles including engineering, manufacturing, logistics and software development.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
