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Re-Gen Waste has welcomed a new cohort of graduates, trainees and apprentices to its Re-Gen Academy.
The Re-Gen Academy training programme was launched earlier this year, to support new and current employees and trainees in their roles, to equip them with leadership skills and provide opportunities for learning and professional development.
This year’s cohort consists of 12 interns, graduates and apprentices working across various departments including: Engineering, IT, Finance, Health & Safety, Sales and Garage.
As well as delivering invaluable experience and career progression, the Re-Gen Academy provides a platform to recruit and develop the future leaders of the Waste Recycling Industry.
Garreth McConville, HR Manager at Re-Gen Waste said he was, “very excited to have such enthusiastic and competent new starters working alongside them in the company.
“Investing in the talent of the future is critical for the growth of our business. Our Re-Gen Academy has been designed to support the needs of these motivated individuals and give them the skills and training to help them excel in their career pathways.
“Re-Gen Waste is very focused on the training and development of our employees. At the moment we are supporting 12 new graduates, interns and apprentices in their studies, while giving them the opportunity to work in our innovative and fast-moving sector. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them and we are very proud that we are able to support them,” he said.
2020 has been another year of growth for Re-Gen Waste and plans are in place to boost participation in the Re-Gen Academy, with an even larger cohort of trainees, next year.
There are also a number of roles currently being recruited for within the company. To learn more about the opportunities available go to RE-GEN WASTE
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Dawn Speers has been appointed to head up ABP Food Group’s technical division within its pet food business in Denmark.
Dawn comes from a Co. Armagh farming family. She joined ABP in Northern Ireland in 2011 as Retail Technical Manager and was then promoted to Site Technical Manager with overall responsibility for animal welfare, food safety, quality control and legal standards across all functions in the Newry site. Prior to joining ABP she was employed by Moy Park.
Simon Dowey, from Lurgan, will replace Dawn as Technical Manager for ABP Newry. Simon who is from Lurgan, began his career at ABP as a placement student in 2016. He then joined the company on a permanent basis in 2019 through ABP UK’s Graduate Programme. He holds an MSc. in Food Science & Food Security from Queen’s University, Belfast.
ABP Newry processes and packages Northern Irish farm quality assured beef and lamb supplied from approximately 4,000 farm families to ABP’s major supermarkets and food service customers throughout the UK and beyond.
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Full fibre broadband provider, Fibrus, has been selected by the Stormont Executive to deliver Project Stratum, which will see £350 million invested to bring full fibre broadband to premises across regional parts of Northern Ireland, including Newry and Armagh.
Project Stratum will radically transform broadband connectivity by extending gigabit capable full fibre broadband infrastructure to approximately 79,000 homes and businesses across Northern Ireland none of which have access to meaningful broadband services. Fibrus has said that Stratum will help ensure that every home in the region will have access to full fibre broadband by 2025.
Fibrus Chair, Conal Henry welcomed the conclusion of the procurement process and is looking ahead to delivering full fibre broadband across Northern Ireland. He said “This £350 million investment, supported by the Executive and our partners at Infracapital, heralds a digital transformation in Northern Ireland. Full fibre broadband is key to unlocking the full potential of NI as a whole and in particular our regional and rural communities. It enables towns, villages and rural communities in Newry and Armagh, to realise their economic potential, keeps communities connected and it is now rightly regarded as an essential utility in the same way as light, water or heat.
“The benefits of full fibre broadband are more relevant now in a Covid context than ever before.”
The Project Stratum contract was formally signed this week after a rigorous procurement process. The Northern Ireland Executive, through the Department of the Economy and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is committing £165m to the initiative.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA said the award of the Project Stratum contract to Fibrus will transform the connectivity of Northern Ireland and help to deliver a post Covid economic recovery. She added “The investment of £150million by my Department, combined with £15million from DAERA and the investment by Fibrus in the project, will deliver gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure to more than 76,000 premises in the intervention area. My Department will work closely with the supplier and, through continued engagement with DCMS, will deliver infrastructure to serve all premises in the target intervention area, including those not currently in scope, as soon as possible.”
Conal Henry outlined the investment Fibrus has already made and what additional benefits these investments will bring to rural communities. He continued “We have already brought Hyperfast Fibre Broadband to South Down, Mid Ulster and North Antrim, at an investment cost of over £65 million. The Stratum project and the associated partnership with the NI Government will accelerate and extend that roll out to even more towns across the province.
“As well as hyperfast speeds, uninterrupted streaming and no buffering for customers, our work will also create 200 new direct and a further 300 indirect jobs for the areas in which we operate. This is a huge opportunity for people living and working in Newry and Armagh, particularly at a time when many may have lost jobs due to the pandemic. We look forward to meeting more of the people we will be serving and growing our specialist team.”
Conal concluded “This investment is a milestone for Fibrus, for Northern Ireland and more importantly, for rural communities across the region.”
For more information on when full fibre broadband will be coming to Newry and Armagh, visit WWW.HYPERFASTNI.COM
Fibrus is currently live in Dundrum, Castlewellan, Newcastle, Ballynahinch, Warrenpoint, Killyleagh, Magherafelt and Maghera. To find out if you can get connected visit WWW.FIBRUS.COM or call 02890993230
MLA Cathal Boylan has welcomed the contract being awarded to Fibrus Networks Ltd. The Newry & Armagh representative said “Project Stratum will provide improved broadband access for almost 79,000 premises, 97% of which are classified as rural. This announcement is a significant step forward for rural communities who over the years have been disadvantaged and left isolated without access to decent or in some cases any broadband”.
Mr Boylan continued “With many more people now studying and working from home, access to broadband has never been more important, it is a vital service.
"It is important that rural workers, families and businesses can benefit from this project as quickly as possible and I welcome that Fibrus intends to roll out infrastructure immediately following the contract being awarded.”
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The impact of COVID-19 has been deeply felt by everyone in Northern Ireland, but one of the groups that have been particularly disadvantaged by the pandemic are the students who were destined to be tomorrow’s business leaders.
Withdrawn job offers, cancelled graduate programmes and a sharp decline in employment opportunities have hit the younger population hard, but one County Down-based tech company is determined to help turn the tide by increasing the number of opportunities available to students.
Newry-based Chloe Ginesi (22), a product of St. Mary’s in the city, completed a one-year work placement with 3EN and has returned to university to finish her degree. She is being sponsored through her final year by 3EN, while still working with the company during her studies.
Chloe shares her career journey so far, hoping to inspire other local students to pursue their dream jobs and fly high despite the pandemic.
Client Services Representative Chloe is studying Business Information Technology at Queen’s University and unlike some of her 3EN colleagues, has followed her intended career path to the letter so far. “I always had an interest in technology and the IT sector, and it was the one subject I had always enjoyed in school,” she said. “My course includes a compulsory placement year, which I did with 3EN. My role offered the perfect balance between business and IT and I quickly found it so enjoyable that I’m staying with 3EN post-placement!”
3EN, one of the world’s leading Oracle NetSuite Enterprise Resource Management Solutions Partners, helps businesses to drive growth through improving efficiency with seamless integration between Oracle NetSuite and other software platforms.
Over the last few years, the company has offered many opportunities to students and graduates from Ulster University and Queen’s University, including work placements, sponsorships and jobs.
The students and graduates take on a wide range of tasks at 3EN, but one thing that unites them is the importance placed on the work they do for the company at C-Suite level. Chloe can be found working directly with clients on the services side of the business, working for clients including FitBit, Fair Trade and Mile High Labs.
Chloe cites the enthusiastic and supportive culture as the thing she loves most about working at the company, as well as the unrivalled progression opportunities: “The best thing about working for 3EN is the culture within the company, which encourages and motivates you to do well and see the company succeed, providing a drive within the team to surpass all expectations.”
CEO Dale Cree cites Chloe’s hard work as playing a significant part of 3EN’s success. “We are passionate about helping to engage and inspire the next generation of STEM business leaders and Northern Ireland is home to some of the brightest young stars in our field,” he said. “3EN’s growth over the last few years has been phenomenal, and a big part of that success is due to the hard work, dedication and creativity of our young team. Chloe is brilliant at what she does, and we empower her to deliver for our team and our clients, even at this early stage in her career.
“We’re all really proud of Chloe and I’d encourage businesses of all shapes and sizes to consider creating graduate training and placement programmes to help unearth the next generation of business leaders, in whatever field you operate in.”
For other young people in Newry looking to boost their own career progression in STEM fields, Chloe offers some words of advice: “Even if you’re not entirely sure of the exact path you want to go down, still go for it, as there’s an infinite amount of jobs in this sector and it’s constantly evolving.”
She hopes to one day become a team leader at 3EN and is excited to play a part in the success of the company in Northern Ireland’s thriving tech sector.
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Newry based accident management company CRASH Services in investing £600K in Belfast in a state-of-the-art building to serve their Belfast base.
The company which was recently recognised as ‘best in class’ in its industry for its track record of returning customers repaired vehicles 43% faster than competitors, have unveiled the plans which will include a gym and a rooftop garden fully kitted out with picnic benches for staff to enjoy lunches and meetings. The site will also incorporate a two-car garage for valeting vehicles.
Bicycle parking for staff will be available as well as charging points for electric cars.
The new build also enjoys open car park storage, a ground-floor reception, open plan office space, several meeting rooms and a kitchen.
Explaining the vision for the new building, David Maxwell Architects comments, “This scheme has been designed to bring natural light into all areas of the building to provide staff with a welcoming, light-filled environment.
The offices will be fitted out with the highest standards of infrastructure, technology and staff amenities - including a gym and shower.
Externally, the building will use timber cladding to upper floors to reflect and integrate with the existing boundary trees in Musgrave Park which is adjacent to the site,” the local architect adds.
Jonathan McKeown, Chief Executive Officer at CRASH, says the new building in Belfast will be an “incredible addition to the company”.
“CRASH Services continues to grow, and as we grow, we knew we needed the perfect building for our staff members to service our Belfast customer base.
The new building at Stockmans Lane is a well overdue project that we have been contemplating for several years now.
The staff are probably mostly excited about the new gym available on-site and the roof-top space, despite the likelihood for inclement weather.
The location of our premises with easy access from the M1 makes us convenient for customers who firstly know where we are and secondly that we can be reached almost as effortlessly in person as we are on the telephone.
Demolishing the current building on the site and replacing it with what David Maxwell has designed will set us up for the new decade ahead with a strong message to customers that we are the company you can rely on and turn to first when you have an accident.”
The anticipated completion date of the building is September 2021.
For more information, visit: WWW.CRASHSERVICES.COM or call 028 9066 0244.
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Newry BID (Business Improvement District) has commenced its revote strategy for Term Two. Newry Business Improvement District has been in operation in the city centre for five years. In February and March 2021 members will have an opportunity to vote on whether they wish to retain this service or not.
The BID is funded through a 1.5% levy on business rates bills for all those who fall within the area and have an NAV in excess of £5,000. It is the aim of BID Manager Eamonn Connolly to increase the return for members by also leveraging significant grant support and funding from other sources including awards.
Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager said, “We commenced our consultation process with members back at the start of October and this will run through until the end of December 2020. We can already see clear themes emerging of what is important to businesses in the city centre going forward.
“Business support and representation is top of the agenda. No one could have anticipated the impact 2020 would have had on businesses. Newry BID is proud to have been there to support our members through this; for example by supporting more than 200 businesses through the process to receive financial support; by providing social distancing signage free of charge for more than 125 business; and by lobbying for rates relief and on parking to highlight a few. We know that need for recovery and support will continue through 2021 especially with the full impact of Brexit yet to be defined.
“Other themes include making our city cleaner, greener and safer. Newry BID is at the heart of that delivery. We have properties and streets being cleaned ongoing almost every weekend including removing graffiti from more than 40 properties. We have created urban gardens, sponsored planters and organise regular litter picks for example. Marketing Newry and delivering events are other items high on the agenda of our members.
“We are urging our members to engage in our consultation to make sure they have their say. We have already had more than one quarter of our members respond to our survey which is available on NEWRY.COM, we are delivering focus groups and one to one consultation to try and reach every single one of our members.
“The reality is if we do not get a sufficient number of businesses voting to retain the BID in March 2021, it will disappear altogether. We think this would be a major blow to the local economy.”
Giuseppe Fallone, owner Dolce Vita restaurant and take-aways said, “BID has been a phenomenal resource for the business community in Newry. My own business has benefited significantly from Covid support and grant application support to social distancing signage and training. We think it would be a massive loss to Newry not to retain BID. We encourage businesses to vote in support of BID in February/March 2021. If enough votes are not cast BID will not be retained and equally if enough of these are not positive responses, we will lose BID and all that extra resource it brings into supporting our city centre. “
For more information on the consultation process and the revote please log onto NEWRY.COM
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Re-Gen Waste, working in partnership with CIWM, is launching the Re-Gen Academy today, 2 December 2020, a transformational support initiative to provide effective and engaging learning and development opportunities to individuals working in local authorities.
Through the Re-Gen Academy, hundreds of bursaries will be provided for those working in local authority waste management roles to access a range of training and development services offered by CIWM, including face-to-face training, on demand e-learning courses, virtual training programmes, and CIWM membership which provides exclusive access to CIWM’s member-only mentoring platform and online Knowledge Centre, as well as a host of other benefits.
“As a strategic partner to many local authorities across Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic and mainland UK, we fully understand the impact that austerity has had on waste services, in particular on training budgets, and the economic consequences of COVID-19 will add to this pressure on resources,” explains Jay Moosaye, Head of Commercial Development for the Re-Gen Group.
“In view of that, Re-Gen wants to do more to help. We have been consulting with local authorities to understand what learning and development opportunities are most valued and the Re-Gen Academy has been designed to meet those needs - particularly to meet training needs that may not be prioritised where money is tight.”
Training courses that can be accessed are delivered in a variety of formats and cover a range of subjects including waste legislation, Duty of Care and contract essentials. Those who are granted a bursary for CIWM membership will have access to CIWM’s Knowledge Centre, an ever-evolving library of technical resources, as well as the CIWM mentoring scheme. Launched earlier this year, it has been highly praised by mentees looking to develop their knowledge, expand their skillset, and boost their confidence and career.
“This is a significant package of support from Re-Gen for local authorities and comes at a time when the importance of skills, competence and professional development are firmly in the spotlight,” says CIWM Chief Executive Sarah Poulter. “CIWM is pleased to be working with Re-Gen to ensure that local authority waste teams can benefit from high quality, funded learning and development opportunities that will support them in their roles and help them.”
Re-Gen Waste began its journey in 2004 as an integrated recycling and waste management company. In this short time, it has developed one of Europe’s most advanced MRF (materials recovery facility) installations.
Bursaries will be available across the UK and further information on the range of learning and development opportunities on offer, along with details on how to apply, can be found on the Re-Gen Academy website.
Re-Gen Waste operates its Newry-based factory 24 hours a day to process over 1.5 million tonnes of waste. As well as the processing of mixed dry recycling, the company processes residual waste for conversion to RDF.
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One of Newry’s longest standing family businesses is celebrating this month as it welcomes a fifth generation to join the team at Best Property Services. Olivia Best has joined the leading Agency as a residential sales advisor and negotiator for the family firm which has a proud history servicing the property market for over 130 years.
Olivia, a psychology graduate, worked in London for CBRE Property as part of the residential team and most recently was employed in a management capacity in Dublin before joining the family firm.
“I was exploring other opportunities to move closer to home when the COVID lockdown came in March,” Olivia explains.
“I moved home to Rostrevor and as my father Garry was also working from home at that time - given my experience in residential sales in London - I began assisting him with some admin and IT aspects, later supporting virtual auctions, and I really enjoyed it. The experience made me reassess my work plans and I was delighted to formally join the Best Property Services team this month to provide support to the residential division.”
“I’m looking forward to bringing some new elements to our services from my time in London, both in terms of marketing and digital reach, as well as drawing on my background in consumer behaviour and the psychology of sales to enhance our sales and customer service package,” Olivia adds.
Olivia is joined by another new start Anna Smith who took up post as valuer negotiator with the residential team in July having previously worked in residential sales for a Belfast based agency.
The Warrenpoint native holds a degree in Property & Development from the University of Ulster and plans to continue her professional development and become a Chartered Valuer through the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
“I’m delighted to welcome Olivia & Anna to the team. This month I mark 40 years with the family firm and when I reflect on some of those wonderful memories, I’m really proud to have my daughter Olivia become part of the team.
“Both Anna & Olivia bring new skills and fresh thinking having worked with other agencies in London & Belfast, and I am looking forward to working alongside them to continue to develop the business, the brand and our services to customers.”
Olivia and Anna, join a highly skilled residential team including Adrian Doran, Siobhan Phillips & Conor Mallon who offer clients over a 100 years combined experience of the local market.
Best Property Services has offices in Newry and Dungannon with Land, Commercial and Residential divisions offering unrivalled local knowledge and expertise.
For more information contact Best Property Services, tel 028 3026 6811 or visit WWW.BESTPROPERTYSERVICES.COM follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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With the news that up to 200 jobs could be lost in Newry as a result of financial difficulties with the Arcadia Group and Debenhams, residents are being asked to shop local in the run up to Christmas to help save jobs. The companies have stores in the Buttercrane and The Quays shopping centres.
That's a concern of Newry Business Improvement District (BID) Manager, Eamonn Connolly.
Offering support Mr Connolly said, “The BID team and the entire business community in Newry are shocked and disappointed to hear about Arcadia Group going into administration and Debenhams going into liquidation. Both these businesses are at the heart of our retailing community in the Buttercrane Centre and the Quays Shopping Centre. I have been in touch with both centre managers to offer our support.
Emphasising the need to shop local to help save local jobs the BID Manager added “This blow to retailing and the potential loss of up to 200 jobs in Newry just reinforces the message of the need to shop local to save local jobs.
“We are asking every person who can afford to, please shop local. At the moment this can be through click and collect, take away, purchasing vouchers or local online offering. When the lockdown restrictions are lifted, we ask you to please return safely to the city to support our local retailers, our hospitality sector, and our service sector.
“People’s livelihoods are relying on our support over the coming weeks. Please shop local to save jobs.”
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