Write a comment
Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership will host an exciting Upskilling Your Staff for Business Growth Event on Thursday 17 November as part of Newry, Mourne and Down Enterprise Week 2022. This event will highlight the importance of strengthening links between education providers and local businesses which will ensure employees have the required skills for a modern workplace.
The last two years have been extremely challenging for local employers and their employees, and it has never been more important to work together to ensure businesses across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area and their employees have the skills to grow and recover from those challenges.
Launching the event at Canal Court Hotel, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “Staff are the most valuable asset any business can have. It is vitally important to ensure our local businesses continue to invest in their people by providing them with upskilling opportunities. With the vast range of courses and training available, I believe there is something to suit everyone’s needs, from entry level through to more advanced levels. I would encourage employers to open the conversation with their staff regarding upskilling for a modern workplace”.
Chairperson of Newry Mourne and Down Labour Market partnership, Dr. Conor Patterson reiterated the comments stating, “Employers should encourage staff to develop their skills, not only for the benefit the business, but also for the individual’s advancement. Our local employers can only grow their respective businesses with the assistance and buy-in of skilled staff”.
Guest speakers will include South Eastern Regional College, Southern Regional College, William J Clinton Institute for Leadership and Management at QUB, and Ulster University Business School. These training providers will showcase their current programmes and introduce business representatives who have benefitted from these programmes including First Derivatives and other local employers.
Businesses across the District can make it their business to demonstrate investment in employees by developing their skills and nurturing their wellbeing by attending the event to find out what upskilling opportunities are on offer, hear from participants and speak directly to the course providers.
To register for the event please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/upskilling-your-staff-for-business-growth-tickets-443278045567
The Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership is funded by the Department for Communities.
Write a comment
The Go For It Programme is set to host a special ‘Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset’ hybrid workshop with hugely successful entrepreneur and business mentor Phil Graham tomorrow, Wednesday 16 November 2022 to celebrate Global Enterprise Week.
This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.
The free workshop will provide would-be entrepreneurs from across Newry Mourne and Down District Council with insights on building confidence, creativity, self-reliance and resourcefulness all of which are key for starting a successful business.
Hosted by local radio presenter and entrepreneur Cate Conway, this hybrid event will provide insights into how Phil developed his own entrepreneurial mindset which has been essential to his success as one of the UK and Ireland’s leading fitness experts and business mentors.
Phil Graham, fitness entrepreneur and business mentor said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at the ‘Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset’ workshop hosted by the Go For It Programme.
“Mindset is everything when it comes to business, and I’m looking forward to offering tips and advice on how aspiring entrepreneurs can develop their own entrepreneurial mindset to help overcome challenges and increase decisiveness, while reinforcing how continuously improving your skills, learning from mistakes and being proactive is essential for success.”
Dr Eugene McGuckin, Programme Manager, Northern Ireland Business Start Up Programme added: “This event, without doubt, will be extremely interesting, engaging and exceptionally useful for would-be entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland and we are encouraging everyone to come along to the Ecos Innovation Centre for this free workshop and avail of the professional advice on offer!
“You’ll hear from our very own Nina Cristinacce who completed the Go For It Programme as well as having the opportunity to ask Caolan Campbell, an experienced Business Advisor any questions you may have on how to take the leap and turn an idea into your very own successful business!”
To register for the ‘Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset with Phil Graham’ workshop visit:https://bit.ly
If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business call 0800 027 0639 or visit: visit www.goforitni.com
Write a comment
Our Lady's Grammar School, Newry currently have vacancies for:
Study Supervisor (Temporary to June 2023, 10 hrs per week)
Cleaners
Lunchtime Supervisors
All jobs are advertised on the school website where you can download application forms
Closing date for applications is Tuesday 22 November at 12 noon.
For more information see www.ourladysgrammar.co.uk
Write a comment
As retailers flex up for pre-Christmas trade, Buttercrane Centre has been boosted with the addition of five stores this month.
The Centre is home to 50+ stores anchored by Primark, Dunnes Stores, Sports Direct and LIDL with five new additions representing an investment of £1.1M+ and spanning some 15,000 sq ft. of additional retail space. This month saw new lettings including Boots Opticians, B Perfect Cosmetics and fashion boutique Ivy Lane whilst existing tenants HOME and Superdrug have both doubled their footprint. Across the five stores, 45 new jobs have been created.
Buttercrane Centre Manager Peter Murray said: “We are thrilled to have an occupancy rate of 98% as we approach the Christmas season. Following on from recent major investment in the scheme, opening up Bridge Street and acquiring anchor tenants Sports Direct and Lidl last year, we’ve capitalised on that appeal to deliver an exciting combination of new brands to Buttercrane.
“These new brands, larger stores and enhanced mall offering are testament to the hard work of our management team, letting agents Lambert Smith Hampton and Cushman Wakefield, and the ongoing investment of the landlord in ensuring the highest quality services and facilities for our customers.”
Boots the Chemist has been successful trading in the Centre for over 20 years and has now added Boots the Optician in a strategic move to build the brand in NI. It’s a UK leading multiple with over 550 stores and this is their 7th store in Northern Ireland. Customers can choose from a range of designer brand frames including Versace, Tipperary, Armani, Saint Laurent and Kurt Geiger. Hearing Care is also offered in the store utilising the latest auditory testing technology.
This month B Perfect has launched a new store in Buttercrane - joining other mega stores in Belfast, Dublin and Glasgow. The award winning Irish cosmetic brand was first launched by local man Brendan McDonnell in 2012 and has since secured ‘must have’ status and multiple awards for the B Perfect tanning and cosmetic products which are now stocked in over 2000 stores across Ireland and the UK.
The start of November also welcomed, Ivy Lane - a new independent female fashion boutique specialising in on-trend, affordable fashion. Following on from the success of its sister store Reeva, Ivy Lane will have a range of special occasion and evening out looks from labels including AX Paris, Kate & Pippa and Marc Angelo in sizes 8-16.
In a clear signal of confidence in the Centre, Superdrug has doubled the footprint of the store and its staff numbers as it reveals a ‘makeover’ this month, becoming one of the largest stores in NI.
Bigger is definitely better for the cosmetic multiple who now occupies some 7,000 sq. ft. and with that brings a number of new cosmetic brands to Newry including Nails Inc, Bourjois, Re Love by Revolution and skin care collections from La RocPosey, AHC, Egyptian Magic, ALYA and Imina.
Plus, it has extended its brow, piercing and nail services with a larger dedicated service bar in the new store with new options including brow and lash lamination delivered by qualified beauty technicians.
Home – the kitchen, living and bedding specialist has been trading in Buttercrane for four years and this month ‘moved house’ into a new retail unit which doubles its’ footprint to 2,800 square foot. The store now offers an extended range of home furnishings, décor and bedding with lot of seasonal offers.
Welcoming the new additions Peter Murray Centre Manager said “Buttercrane has always offered an enviable mix of independent and national retailers which customers love and we are delighted to welcome these new brands and expansion of existing traders. This has created significant new employment in the area and it’s great so see local and national companies investing economically in our region. The cumulative £1.1m investment is a very clear signal of confidence in Newry City, in traditional ‘bricks and mortar retail’ and in Buttercrane Centre itself,” Peter concluded.
Write a comment
NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris MP made his first official visit to Newry today. Newry Chamber hosted the Secretary of State at the offices of AbbeyAutoline with Chamber Board members and some leading local employers in attendance.
Julie Gibbons, President of Newry Chamber emphasised the presence of global businesses in the city and that many Chamber members have been successful in making the NI Protocol work although parts of it would benefit with some adaptations.
Ms Gibbons commented “We want to thank the Secretary for State for engaging with us. We had a wide-ranging discussion around the priorities and opportunities for organisations operating in the Greater Newry Area. Despite the obvious challenges of no local Assembly sitting at Stormont, rapid inflation in particular energy costs, ongoing Protocol discussions and a labour shortage, there is still optimism and ambition amongst our members.”
“We highlighted that we represent an internationally focused region, with significant assets including a strategic location on the eastern economic corridor and a strong multi-sectorial base. Newry’s strength is its entrepreneurial spirit which has been at the heart of economic growth.”
“Small local businesses have been developed into global businesses - FD Technologies, Norbrook Laboratories, MJM Marine, Re-Gen Waste, DELI LITES Ireland and STATSports to name just a few. We have also seen business start-ups double during the pandemic.”
“We stressed that the Newry City Region has been transformed as a result of peace on this island. Our prosperity is based on the ability to freely trade North/South, East/West and globally. For us, the Protocol is the means by which we could maintain our ability to trade. While parts of it will require some practical adaptations, many of our members have already been successful in making the Protocol work for them.”
“We want the Protocol issue resolved because of the political instability it has caused. We welcome the positive discussions now taking place between the UK and the EU. Hopefully, this will lead to a workable solution and will provide the framework for the restoration of the Executive.”
“A more concerning out working of Brexit is the acute shortage of skilled workers. Many EU nationals have left and cannot be replaced. This issue is restricting the growth potential of our members and puts us at a significant competitive disadvantage versus businesses over the border.”
“Members also raised issues on corporation tax, rates, energy costs and infrastructure/city deal projects. We do hope to continue our engagement with the Secretary of State in the future.”
Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland commented “I’ve had productive conversations with Newry Chamber today on the issues of importance to them. The UK Government is committed to making NI a better place to live, work, invest and do business, and it is clear that there is plenty of opportunity here.”
The Secretary of State added “I heard about the problems that local businesses are having as a result of the Protocol and rising energy costs. I reiterated that the UK Government is engaging in constructive dialogue with the EU to find solutions to the problems the Protocol is causing, and our legislation aims to fix the practical problems it has created, and that we have stepped in as quickly as possible to provide energy support for businesses, public and voluntary sector organisations in Northern Ireland."
Write a comment
The Canal Court Hotel in Newry was the venue yesterday, 16 November, for an event which celebrated the success of the Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) and Rural Gigabit Connectivity (RGC) projects, funded by Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It marked the completion of one of the largest broadband initiatives delivered by multiple public sector organisations across Northern Ireland as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up strategy.
The initiative was led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and delivered by the Full Fibre Northern Ireland (FFNI) Consortium, which is made up of ten councils outside Belfast and the Business Services Organisation (BSO). The Consortium, having successfully secured £23.1million of UK Government funding from DCMS in 2018, rolled out this ambitious project with the aim of expanding the high-speed fibre broadband footprint in Northern Ireland.
Now completed, the project has connected 887 public sector buildings to high-speed ‘gigabit capable’ broadband throughout Northern Ireland. This includes over 240 GP surgeries, 148 community centres, 90 council offices, 79 recycling centres, 69 fire stations and 63 leisure centres. These sites now have the infrastructure to access internet speeds at least ten times faster than their old, mostly copper-based connections. As requirements increase in the future, they will be able to tap into gigabit capable speeds of 1,000 megabits per second and above.
The investment has the potential to provide improved digital connectivity and unlock considerable economic value across rural and regional NI as it will also make it easier for suppliers to provide full fibre to nearby businesses and residential properties.
Speaking at the event, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “FFNI is essentially an Economic Development and Regeneration project and this multi-million-pound investment will assist those at risk of digital exclusion, create local jobs and allow public sector partners to offer more digital services to businesses and residents across the district.
“The collaboration between public-sector bodies through FFNI has played a key role in supporting digital ambitions, which will empower our local communities and businesses to bounce back from the pandemic and the positive impact will be even more far reaching for years to come.”
UK Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said, “Thanks to the UK Government's investment, Northern Ireland continues to lead gigabit broadband connectivity levels across the four nations. More than four in five homes in the country now have access to the fastest and most reliable broadband on the market.
“These lightning-fast connections will help improve public services and benefit businesses and communities from Larne to Lisnaskea. Through our record £5 billion Project Gigabit investment programme, we are also making sure people living and working in rural areas can access the top-of-the-range connection speeds.”
Project build partner and local full fibre broadband provider Fibrus supported the rollout of LFFN and RGC on behalf of FFNI. Chief Operating Officer Shane Haslem explained how the company is “committed to enabling local communities”. He said, “Despite being hubs for local businesses and family homes, rural areas across Northern Ireland have gone without quality connectivity services for too long. With the pandemic accelerating society’s need for meaningful online connections coupled with a shift in working patterns to a hybrid model, access to high-speed reliable broadband has become critical for homes, businesses and our public services.
“The arrival of full fibre broadband across 887 public buildings will help address regional and digital imbalance, revolutionising how the public sector operates on a daily basis. This will ultimately benefit the people of Northern Ireland by allowing them to access quality services in the heart of their own community.”
By connecting these public sector sites, it enables additional connections to be made to nearby residential and commercial properties through separate commercial investment plans and allows communication providers to extend the rollout of gigabit capable connectivity. Such connections will facilitate digital transformation and create enhanced social and economic opportunities, which will transform the lives of Northern Ireland’s rural communities.
The committed efforts of the FFNI Consortium and its component councils and public sector partners, together with the significant investment from DCMS and Fibrus will help to make a tangible difference not only to the public sector, but also to the lives of families, people, communities and businesses right across Northern Ireland.
Write a comment
A Newry based testing company has partnered with Irish Government funded training network, Space Industry Skillnet, to deliver specialised training on testing processes for companies working within the space industry in Ireland.
Renowned for its high-quality testing services and expertise, Newry-based Resonate Testing was approached by Space Industry Skillnet to create and deliver a bespoke training course on vibration and shock testing, which are hugely important aspects of testing within the space industry, amongst others.
While focused on the space industry, the training is equally suited to a wide range of industries. The goal of the upskilling opportunity is for engineers, project and program leads to understand vibration and shock testing as part of a product development life cycle. Product testing assists in the development phase, or in demonstration of customer or regulatory performance requirements.
The training is targeted at best practice which demonstrates reliability, performance validation or verification of specification compliance. Benefits span across those creating or reviewing test specification, to companies with in-house shaker systems that want to give their test engineers a grounding in the fundamentals of how their systems work.
The first in a series of training sessions took place at Resonate Testing’s facility, where six different companies from across Ireland availed of the service, thanks to the support offered by Space Industry Skillnet. The goal is that subsequent training events will include companies from across the Island and further afield.
During the two-day training course, participants gained a fundamental understanding of vibration and shock testing, and how real-world exposure is replicated on a shaker table.
As the course developed, attendees were introduced to the various types of test systems available, which can be tailored to best suit different applications, and given an introduction to advanced testing methods for more complex testing approaches. Attendees then undertook hands-on consolidation of the course content, setting up and running full scale testing in Resonate Testing’s state-of-the-art vibration lab.
Space Industry Skillnet is an enterprise-led training network for Irish companies that are, or that want to be, involved in the delivery of technology and services to the global space market, including the European Space Agency.
Network Manager, Catherine Lenehan, said, “We wanted to offer a course that would help companies become more aware of the different types of testing and requirements for more efficient vibration tests, thus helping them to save money. Due to Resonate Testing’s experience in testing equipment for Space applications and knowledge of the industry, in collaboration with our network members, we selected the company as our training provider.
“This has been a very positive experience for us to date, and participants have been extremely impressed with the training content and delivery from Resonate’s team, in addition to the facilities at their testing centre. We look forward to seeing how the course develops and the subsequent benefits.”
Conor Barry, Test Engineer at Resonate Testing is overseeing the training course. Speaking about the partnership, Conor said, “When Space Industry Skillnet approached us about providing a training course on vibration and shock testing at the end of 2021, we were delighted to participate. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise in shock and vibration testing, but it has the potential to ensure quicker turnaround times in the future, for tests from our customers that have attended the course.
“This will provide a more efficient service and feed into the initial goal from Space Industry Skillnet of helping customers to save money. It has been a real team effort from Resonate Testing, but also a great opportunity for us to work alongside the training network.”
The course was developed by Resonate Testing for Space Industry Skillnet and funded by Skillnet Ireland through the Irish Government Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, with contribution from the network members of Space Industry Skillnet.
Tom Mallon, Resonate Testing Managing Director supports the training and upskilling and said, “We look forward to strengthening our links with Space Industry Skillnet, and taking advantage of our strategic location by offering the training to UK, NI and Irish based companies. Witnessing the benefits for participants, we call upon Northern Ireland’s regional development and investment bodies to follow a similar approach and actively support the upskilling of the workforce to enable the region to compete on the global stage.”
Resonate Testing’s recent projects in the Space Industry include the James Webb Space Telescope and ESA’s Lunar Pathfinder spacecraft.
Write a comment
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is helping enhance the skills and employability of people in the district through a major new partnership with local further education colleges.
A Higher Level Apprenticeship scheme is now underway, with three students in employment with the Council over the next two-and-a-half-years. Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) are relatively new qualifications, which provide an opportunity to gain quality training and a recognised higher qualification while in paid employment. They also offer students an alternative route to degree level qualifications, should they wish to pursue further education.
A key theme of the Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration Strategy launched last year is skills and employability. The aim is to assist Business and Education to work better together to address challenges in the labour market and best match market demands. It is also one of the aims of the Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership, which the Council manages, to promote apprenticeships as a beneficial pathway to employment.
Two of the current positions in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are within the field of Digital Marketing, Advertising and Communications, with a third position in Construction and Built Environment. The apprentices spend most of their working week with the Council, while also regularly attending College and completing assignments that form part of their qualification.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Aoife Finnegan, recently met with the new apprentices to welcome them to Council. “Through our work with the Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership we are keen to showcase apprenticeships and higher level apprenticeships as an alternative learning and skills development opportunity leading to a valuable career path,” she said. “It is our hope that apprentices will gain the skills that employers need and that are relevant to the local economy as well as improving their own prospects of good earnings and sustained employment.
“This partnership between the Council and our local further educational colleges has clear mutual benefits. The apprentices gain highly prized real and sustained experience in the workplace, while also being carefully mentored. And as a Council we benefit from their specific insight and new ideas. This is a two-way process.
“I look forward to hearing how the work of the apprentices develops over the coming months, with a view to expanding the scheme further in coming years.”
Tracy Rice, Head of Business Engagement from Southern Regional College (SRC), said, “At SRC we value our wide range of industry links and following close partnership working we are delighted to see the Higher Level Apprenticeship scheme established at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. I know our apprentices are already benefiting from their workplace experience, and it is that real-life workplace experience combined with first class education opportunities that will be an attractive proposition to future employers.”
Don Walsh, Assistant Training Programmes Manager with South Eastern Regional College, said, “At SERC we aim to offer our students a career enhancing experience in which they work on live projects with real businesses. We therefore welcomed the opportunity to work with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council on developing the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme with them look forward to developing a number of apprentice opportunities for our students.”
Write a comment
The amalgamation of two local businesses Pronto Automation Systems Limited (“Pronto Automation”) and LMP Controls Limited (“LMP”) has seen the establishment of a new Camlough based multidisciplinary engineering firm, Pronto Engineering Group. The business currently employs 20 people.
Former business Pronto Automation was established in 2015 by Rory McKeever initially as a software industrial automation company while LMP Controls was established in Newry more than 30 years ago and was acquired by Rory McKeever and Turlough McKeever in 2018. This acquisition complemented the automation business with end-to-end industrial control and automation capability; and with the continued growth year on year and new market opportunities, the strategic decision has been taken to amalgamate the businesses under a new single group structure.
Pronto Engineering Group will initially have three divisions: Pronto Automation Systems, Pronto Industrial Controls (formerly LMP) and a new division, Pronto Water Ireland, which will focus on selling water products, bespoke chemical dosing skids and mechanical and electrical install.
Rory McKeever said, “We thought long and hard about making this move because of the brand equity, loyalty and trust built up over the years with both companies. In order to facilitate our growth plans, simplify processes for our customers and to support our teams this amalgamation will benefit us, our customers and our suppliers.
"Each of the divisions can operate independently but with our Group capability we are confident we can offer a much wider remit for our valued clients and indeed more opportunities for our growing team. Despite the many current challenges in the economy, we are optimistic for the future and confident that we have the team, the skills, and now the structure to help facilitate continued growth.”
 |
 |
 |