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A local employability partnership has been recognised as a finalist for the 'Best Business in the Community' Award at the Greater Newry Business Awards 2025, following its success in helping over 1,000 people into employment since its launch in April 2023.
Employ Me, a skills and employability collaboration between Southern Regional College (SRC), Clanrye Group, Women's Aid Armagh Down and Community Advice Newry, Mourne and Down, was shortlisted for the award at the Newry Chamber Greater Newry Business Awards last month. The Whistledown Hotel in Warrenpoint won the award on the night.
Speaking on Employ Me's shortlisting for the award, Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College commented: "We are immensely proud that Employ Me was recognised as a finalist for the 'Best Business in the Community' Award at the Greater Newry Business Awards 2025. This shortlisting reflects the dedication of our staff and partner organisations in creating real opportunities for people who face significant barriers to employment. Employ Me is not just a programme - it is a pathway to skills, confidence, and brighter futures. It has changed lives within the local area, and its success demonstrates what is possible when the voluntary, community and education sectors work together."
The partnership combines the skills and experience of four unique organisations to support residents within the Newry, Mourne and Down and Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon council areas into employment, whilst recognising that returning to the workforce is not a straightforward process but one that requires training, wraparound support and employment skills guidance.
Since the launch of the programme in April 2023, the partnership has made a real impact in the local community, supporting 2,227 people to achieve their individual goals. As of September 2025, the partnership has successfully helped 1,032 into employment and guided more than 1,200 individuals to gain a qualification or complete a course aligning with their interests.
The partnership has continued to address employability needs within the community, launching specific courses where a demand for skills has been identified. Current courses include welding, nail technologies, food hygiene and Construction Skills Register (CSR) card. The partnership seeks to look beyond templates and understand the person and address their individual needs and pain points, fast tracking referrals with external services and providing specialist support to meet the needs of individual learners.
The partnership enjoyed success earlier this year when it picked up the "Team of the Year" award at the Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards at Titanic Belfast.
Mr Liam Devine, Chief Executive Officer at Clanrye Group added: "Employ Me shows what can be achieved when our community comes together with a shared purpose. This finalist position is recognition is not just for the programme, but for every individual, family, and organisation who has played a part in its success."
Kellie Murray, CEO Community Advice Newry, Mourne and Down said: "At Community Advice Newry Mourne and Down, we see every day the barriers people face when trying to move forward. Employ Me has shown what's possible when organisations come together providing real, individual support that changes lives across our community."
Eileen Murphy, CEO of Women's Aid Armagh Down further added: "The physical and psychological impact of domestic abuse creates profound barriers for women seeking to enter, or re-enter education and employment. This partnership project is pivotal in breaking down those barriers. It enables us to deliver the specialist support women need to rebuild confidence, gain new skills, and move toward independence. The outcomes we are already witnessing demonstrate how vital this collaboration is for lasting social and economic change."
The Employ Me partnership, continues to make a significant difference to employment prospects and skills development across the local area.
