Write a comment
Up to 35 employers in the Newry area will be participating in the Job Opportunities Fair at the Work In Newry (WIN) Conference Centre in Newry on Wednesday the 23rd of March.
The Fair will run from 10.00am to 5.00pm. The employers present are either seeking staff now or are likely to be recruiting during the course of this year.
Among those employers participating are:
Autoline, BE Aerospace, Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Canal Court Hotel, Careers Service NI, Clanyre Training and Employment Agency, Copas Tool & Die, Costume Corner, Crash Services, Downey Brothers: The Bank, Cobbles; Downey Brothers: The Good Food Shop; First Derivatives, Glen Dimplex, Grafton Recruitment, Horse First, Independent Catering Services ,Jobs and Benefits Office, John MacMahon and Company, MJM Marine, Newry and Mourne District Council, Newry Credit Union ,New Tech Norbrook, Prestige Employment Services, Royal Mail, Sainsbury’s ,Savage and Whitten, Southern Health and Social Care Trust ,Southern Regional College, Teleperformance, The Link Works, The Quays, Wade Training and Warrenpoint Harbour Authority
The Fair is being convened under the DSD’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme by Newry and Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency supported by Newry and Mourne District Council and is principally targeting those living in the economically disadvantaged Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Area. Attendance is free.
Pupils and students attending local schools, Southern Regional College and Universities are being encouraged to attend, along with their parents, teachers and lecturers, as are graduates and in particular the unemployed.
Dr Conor Patterson who is organising the event points out that there is a wide range of employers represented across a number of sectors from manufacturing, through tradable services to retail. He says that his intention is to demonstrate that there are still jobs available in Newry and to present young people especially with a message of hope:
“ So many young people feel they have little future when in fact we have several companies locally which are not just very successful but which are world beaters and many of which are locally owned and managed. Those companies are keen to attract local people but only if they have the right skills. We want to give those who may be making subject choices at school or college or who may be thinking of changing career direction or re-skilling the opportunity to talk directly to employers about the skills they require. These employers wouldn’t be here if they weren’t committed in the long term to Newry and its people, especially the young. That’s a great reason to be optimistic” .
Write a comment
THE National Union of Journalists has served strike notice at the Newry Democrat arising from enforced redundancies at the newspaper, which is owned by the Alpha Newspaper Group. The group is headed by Lord Kilclooney, the former Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.
Journalists will begin strike action on Monday, March 21st with a one day work stoppage. The NUJ may decide on further stoppages if the company persists in its refusal to engage in negotiations. Assistant Organiser Ian McGuinness says the NUJ wants Alpha Newspaper Group to reinstate staff or provide enhanced redundancy payments. Mr McGuinness said: “The union continues to oppose Alpha’s decision to make all four editorial production posts redundant. These staff gave many years loyal service. Their work was of a very high standard and they were crucial for the publication of a quality local newspaper.
The very least that Alpha can do is to increase their miserly statutory redundancy payments. Lord Kilclooney, who recently appeared on Ireland’s Rich List, can afford to make payments beyond the statutory minimum.”
Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley called on the company to attend negotiations under the auspices of the Labour Relations Agency. He said: “The NUJ is willing to negotiate with the company at any stage and it is disappointing that Lord Kilclooney and his executives have been unwilling to engage in negotiations facilitated by a State agency. Strike action is avoidable but management appear determined to force workers on to the picket line rather than engaging in meaningful negotiations. “
Alpha took ownership of the Newry Democrat last November, just a few months after it closed three newspapers in the Republic of Ireland (Roscommon Champion, Longford News and Athlone Voice).
Despite meetings between the company and the NUJ, the company proceeded with the enforced redundancies and moved the work elsewhere in the Alpha group. The four production staff were subsequently made redundant and only given statutory redundancy payments.
NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear paid tribute to the solidarity shown by the Democrat’s journalists to their colleagues who were made redundant.
“They have supported their colleagues at every step of this difficult process and are now ready to stand up and demand fair treatment for them. Let us hope Lord Kilclooney and Alpha listen.”
Write a comment
Management and Construction Ltd (MAC) has picked up a ‘Cool’ award for its office scheme at the largest Eco Build Show in Europe this month and has just announced £14 + M in new contracts for Dublin, Munich and London.
The company, which specializes in commercial office interiors, installed a ‘Cool Workspace’ area for leading UK Property Consultants Capita Symonds and it was awarded a top prize at the London Eco Build show (1-3rd March).
MD Paul McKenna said: “We are delighted to be involved in an award like this which supports our ethos on sustainability and environmental issues - demonstrated by our ISO Environmental Safety status and LEED accreditations. We are the only Irish fit out firm to hold LEED (Leadership Energy Environmental Design) Accreditation – an international standard in integrated environmental design which is huge issue internationally for engineers, architects and internal design teams.
“This particular project was a great experience four our London team to be involved in, but also delivers on the fundamental eco and sustainability issues that designers face on a daily basis in designing and constructing future-proof office spaces.”
This is a major coup for the company with offices in Newry, Dublin, London and Prague as it was awarded at the world’s biggest event to celebrate eco design and construction principles for sustainable office development.
The news of the award comes as the firm celebrates winning £14m in new contracts in Dublin, London and Munich. MAC has just announced it will be working on another multi million pound fit out for Hewlett Packard in Leixlip, County Kildare, and their London office has confirmed a new fit out contract for Intel in Munich in addition to a number of projects for State Bank of India in London and throughout the UK.
These valuable new contracts are a significant good news story for a firm operating in the construction industry.
Paul adds: “We seem to be bucking the trend of the construction industry which is labouring under the shadow of the economic crisis. I believe this is because of our continued investment in our ISO quality assurance systems, our belief in environmental principals like LEED and the unwavering commitment of our staff to deliver the most difficult projects and for that they are to be commended.”
Write a comment
The Business Support Centre at Southern Regional College is offering a Sage Line 50 Beginner course to local businesses.
The course provides the basic knowledge required to operate the SAGE Line 50 package. It provides a solid background to enable day to day use of the package within a commercial environment.
Duration 2 days (1 day pw), start date 8th April Newry Campus and the cost is £30
If you wish to enroll yourself or a member of staff on this course or would like further information, please contact Laura Kavanagh by email: kavanaghl@src.ac.uk or telephone: 028 3839 7770
Write a comment
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade is delighted to announce that it will be hosting its annual Business Lunch with keynote guest speaker President of Ireland, Her Excellency Mary McAleese on the 10 May 2011 in the Canal Court Hotel.
This Newry Chamber event is one of final events President McAleese has agreed to attend before her Presidential tenure draws to an end later this year.
Speaking on behalf of Newry Chamber, Ms Orla Jackson, Chief Executive stated, ‘we in the Chamber are delighted to be hosting this prestigious business networking event for our members and the wider business community. President McAleese has been a good friend to the civic and business community of the Greater Newry Area throughout her term in Office and it is a privilege to be given the opportunity to host this event in her honour’.
This event has been very generously sponsored by the Glen Dimplex Group. Speaking on behalf of Glen Dimplex, Dr Martin Naughton, Executive Chairman stated, ‘we are very proud to sponsor this important and high profile Newry Chamber event. The Glen Dimplex Group has its roots in Newry. Our founding business at Glen Electric was launched in Newry in 1973. Since that time we have maintained a strong presence in the local economy providing quality manufacturing jobs across a range of sectors’.
To reserve places at this historic event, please contact Newry Chamber office, Tel: 028 3025 0303 or email: info@newrychamber.com. Tickets cost £20 for Newry Chamber members and £25 for non members. A four course lunch will be served. Demand is expected to be high so book early to avoid disappointment.
Write a comment
Newry, Warrenpoint, Crossmaglen, Kilkeel, Newcastle & Downpatrick Chambers of Commerce have been meeting for a year to tackle issues of common concern and opportunity and have produced the following Manifesto.
The following 5 issues have been identified as needing urgent attention from our Councils (Newry and Mourne and Down District Councils), Government Agencies, Assembly, North South Ministerial Council and Parliament
Collectively we account for over 610 businesses who contribute to local rates, employ local people, serve our local communities and generate tax and revenue to the Northern Ireland economy.
We have come together to try to address the following key issues and seek your support in tackling these issues. Local businesses are at breaking point and we expect your urgent support and action.
Write a comment
The Southern Area Hospice have just announced the launch of their brand new website, which has a wealth of information about Hospice services, how to donate and the numerous ways in which you can show your support, including signing up for events or becoming a volunteer.
The new website, which can be found at www.southernareahospiceservices.org and was designed by local company ITS New Media, also provides information on all the latest Hospice news and events, as well as detailing all of the services provided by the Hospice and how the community can avail of these services. The website also links to the Hospice Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, so if you haven’t already signed up, start following us today!
Speaking on behalf of the Southern Area Hospice, Rachel Quinn, Fundraising Events Officer said, “The new website is a much welcomed development and hopefully will be a great asset to the organisation. It is very easy to use and hopefully will give people greater access and understanding to information on our services, and also give plenty of options and ideas on how to get involved in fundraising or volunteering for the Hospice.
To coincide with the launch of the website, The Southern Area Hospice will also be issuing a regular Ezine to those subscribed to the website. The Ezine will also contain all of our up to date news and events articles so if you would like to receive this ezine, please visit our website and subscribe today.
Southern Area Hospice Services provides invaluable support and care to people living within the Southern Health Board Area, who are suffering from Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and AIDS. Our aim is to provide the best quality of life for our patients and their families. All our services are provided free of charge and we rely heavily on voluntary donations to continue providing our special care.
Write a comment
President Mary McAleese was the Special Guest of Honour at the Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade’s Annual Business Lunch on Tuesday 10th May in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
President McAleese received a rapturous welcome from the 220 guests who attended the event which was held in her honour to acknowledge her highly successful Ambassadorial role as President of Ireland as her term in Office draws to a close later this year.
President McAleese delivered a compelling, thought provoking and inspiring keynote speech to the captivated audience. President McAleese hailed Newry as a city of courage and creativity’.
She stated, ‘it is always a great pleasure to be here in Newry and to witness the wonderful transformation that has taken place in what was once a small town and is now a thriving gateway city and a vital regional hub’.
President McAleese described Newry as ‘an energetic place to be, a confident city which has left a troubled past behind and can now look optimistically to the future’.
President McAleese attributed the transformation down to ‘the hard work, energy, foresight and determination of its people’. She concluded, ‘the Newry of today, this confident, forward-looking, flourishing city is a very different place from the troubled, struggling town many of us can remember from not so long ago. As the body representing business people in this city, Newry Chamber of Commerce has played no small part in this remarkable transformation. I would like to thank Newry Chamber of Commerce, and all of the local business and voluntary communities who have contributed so much to progressing Newry into the successful bustling city we have today’.
Ms Orla Jackson, Chief Executive of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade stated, ‘We, in the Newry Business Community were delighted that the President of Ireland accepted our invitation to attend this event. President McAleese has been an inspiration to the people of Ireland, both north and south of the Border; she has helped bridge deep divides and has been an exemplary Ambassador for the country. It was an honour and a privilege to host this special event in her honour’.
This event has been generously sponsored by the Glen Dimplex Group. Speaking on behalf of Glen Dimplex, Dr Martin Naughton, Executive Chairman stated, ‘we were very proud to sponsor this important and high profile Newry Chamber event. The Glen Dimplex Group has its roots in Newry. Our founding business at Glen Electric was launched in Newry in 1973. Since that time we have maintained a strong presence in the local economy providing quality manufacturing jobs across a range of sectors’.
Write a comment
Secretary of State Owen Paterson was the guest speaker at the launch of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade’s campaign to support the efforts of the five main Northern Ireland political parties and the regions leading business organisations in seeking the devolution of tax raising powers from London to Belfast to allow the rate of Corporation Tax to be cut in Northern Ireland bringing it into line with that of the Republic. The ‘Grow NI – Reduce Corporation Tax’ campaign received unanimous support from the Greater Newry business community at the launch event which was held at the WIN Business Park, Headquarters of the Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency on the 27th May. The event was attended by over 50 representatives from the local business community.
At the meeting, the Secretary of State outlined the benefits of reducing Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland. He said that these benefits would include the ability to attract more Foreign Direct Investment to Northern Ireland; the encouragement of indigenous companies to invest more of their retained profits; creating opportunities for supply chain organisations and creating major employment opportunities for quality, high paid jobs. The Secretary of State urged all businesses in Northern Ireland to respond positively to the UK Treasury’s consultation paper ‘Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy’ which he said offered a unique opportunity to put Northern Ireland on fast track economic growth trajectory. He asked businesses to email the UK Treasury directly on: niconsultion@hmtreasury.gsi.gov.uk to set out how lower Corporation Tax would help them and their businesses. He stated that only by showing the UK Treasury that there was overwhelming support could the proposal have any prospect of being implemented.
Members of the audience including Dr Gerard O’Hare, Mr Peter Conway and Mr John MacMahon provided supporting evidence as to how a reduction in Corporation Tax would assist the local business community.
Dr Conor Patterson, President of Newry Chamber with support from the many businesses present announced the launch of the ‘Newry say’s YES to Reducing Corporation Tax’ campaign. Dr Patterson urged businesses locally to respond to the Treasury’s consultation paper in favour of reducing Corporation Tax to align with the rate in the Republic. For further information on how you can get involved in this campaign, please contact Newry Chamber office, 028 3025 0303; email: info@newrychamber.com
 |
 |
 |