Hundreds attend NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference

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: Columba O'Hare; Category: Business; Published: 15 October 2024

Kytrina Mullan, Skills and Employability Officer at NMDDC, Michael Savage, CEO of Newry Chamber, Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber, Patricia McPolin, NMD Labour Market Partnership (LMP) and Aveen McVeigh at Head of Regeneration and Business Development at NMDDC at the event in the Canal Court Hotel.

Over 200 delegates from across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area attended the highly successful ‘NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference’ on Wednesday 9th October hosted by the Broadcaster & Journalist, Mark Simpson in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

The NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference was organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership (LMP) - funded by the Department for Communities, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Southern Regional College (SRC), South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and Ulster University.

Michael Savage, CEO of Newry Chamber addressing delegates at the major conference in Newry.

Three key areas were discussed: Tackling Economic Inactivity and Promoting Diversity in the Workplace; Careers and Curriculum Development and Skills Shortages/Access to European Workforce and Foreign Workers.

The conference is the first of two major conferences over a 12-month period with the second District-wide conference taking place in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle 8 October 2025.

Representing business, education, training and policymaking, the delegates heard keynote speakers and panellists discuss the theme of the conference, ‘Meeting the District’s Workforce Challenge’ as well as an address from and Q&A with Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who joined via video-link from Westminster.

The panel for Tackling Economic Inactivity & Promoting Diversity in the Workplace Panel Discussion, Damian McCorry, Employer Advisor at Newry Jobs & Benefits Office, Isabella McNulty, Employee through the Job Start Programme, Emma Bohill, CEO of Down Business Centre, Petra McPolin, HR Business Partner at Around Noon, Max Helferty, Trainee through the Skills for Life & Work Programme, Liam Devine, CEO of Clanrye Group and Paddy Rooney, Deputy Secretary for Work & Health, Department for Communities NI. — The panel for the Tackling Economic Inactivity & Promoting Diversity in the Workplace Panel Discussion. From left: Damian McCorry, Employer Advisor at Newry Jobs & Benefits Office, Isabella McNulty, Employee through the Job Start Programme, Emma Bohill, CEO of Down Business Centre, Petra McPolin, HR Business Partner at Around Noon, Max Helferty, Trainee through the Skills for Life & Work Programme, Liam Devine, CEO of Clanrye Group and Paddy Rooney, Deputy Secretary for Work & Health, Department for Communities NI.

Keynote speakers included: Dr Eoin Magennis, Principal Economist, Ulster University Economic Policy Centre; Prof Kristel Miller, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development, Ulster University; Paddy Rooney, Deputy Secretary for Work & Health, Department for Communities NI; Moira Doherty, Deputy Secretary for Skills & Education, Department for the Economy NI and Kathleen O’Hare OBE, Chair, Northern Ireland Skills Council.

Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber commented “The conference was all about starting a much-needed conversation about how we can all collaborate to devise a locally focused strategy that meets the 21st Century Skills and Recruitment Needs of Newry, Mourne and Down District.”

Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District, Cllr Pete Byrne and President of Newry Chamber, Edwina Flynn at the NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference.

“Newry Chamber is delighted to be involved in the organisation and delivery of this very important conference as one of the Chamber’s Core Strategic Pillars is Tackling the Workforce Challenges of the Greater Newry Area.”

“The conference is about collaboration, about coming together to develop a strategy aimed at tackling the growing challenges in our labour market and the struggles businesses face in filling vacancies across this region.”

“Sincere thanks to our partners, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Newry Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership, Southern Regional College, South Eastern Regional College and Ulster University for all their support in making the Conference possible and to our speakers and panellists who contribute to an exception event.”

MC, Broadcaster & Journalist, Mark Simpson interviewing Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for NI who joined the conference via video-link from Westminster.

Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District, Cllr Pete Byrne said “Providing a platform for industry, education and policymakers to come together to discuss the skills challenge, shows Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s commitment to work with key stakeholders towards the advancement of economic and career opportunities for our citizens.”

“Highlighting the need to work collaboratively in identifying workable solutions, the recent Recruitment and Skills Conference will enable stakeholders to partner together to create opportunities for residents, attract and assist businesses, and progress our ambitions to stimulate economic growth.”

“Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership, funded by the Department for Communities, is one such vehicle allowing for local and regional collaboration and engaged in delivering a suite of initiatives towards a targeted employment action plan. I look forward to their contribution in improving employability outcomes and labour market conditions locally.”