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Southern Regional College (SRC) in partnership with Newry based Norbrook Laboratories Ltd. have won the ‘Employer Innovation Award’ at the Apprentice of the Year awards, held in Belfast City Hall this week. The award presented by the Department for the Economy (DfE) recognises the pioneering work of both organisations in developing the first higher level apprenticeship in Applied Industrial Science in Northern Ireland.
SRC has been working with Norbrook Laboratories Ltd. for over 10 years in the delivery of a range of training solutions as part of the company’s workforce development programme. This work initiated by the late Lord Ballyedmond and the College’s Chief Executive, Brian Doran led to a commitment to build a partnership where Norbrook could 'grow their own' talent pool through the development and promotion of higher apprenticeships in Applied Industrial Science.
The Higher Level Apprenticeship programme has been designed with the specific aim of producing highly skilled, practically competent, laboratory technicians and analysts. To date Norbrook has employed 33 apprentices and the programme is now well established and used by a number of other leading life and health science companies such as the Almac group and Randox Laboratories. The collaborative partnership that exists between Norbrook and SRC has also led to the establishment of the Life and Health Science Sector Partnership for Northern Ireland. The Sector Partnership chaired by Norbrook’s Director of Science, Dr Lillian Cromie has been responsible for the development of a number of degree level apprenticeships in science that now offer progression pathways through to degree and postgraduate apprenticeships in conjunction with the Southern Regional College, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Brian Doran, Chief Executive at Southern Regional College, said “The College has worked closely with Norbrook Laboratories to design and deliver an innovative higher apprenticeship in applied industrial science that addresses the needs of both the employer and apprentices. The development of these new degree apprenticeships is critical to the future growth of the pharmaceutical industry in Northern Ireland. The College’s science team has worked closely with personnel from Norbrook to design an innovative curriculum and support structure that underpins the new apprenticeship. The College has led the way in the use of new technologies to provide flexible delivery and support to apprentices be that in their work place or at home. I am delighted to be here today, with our colleagues from Norbrook, to accept this award in recognition of the work that we have progressed in recent years”.
Elizabeth Moran, Learning & Development Manager, Norbrook Laboratories Ltd. said “Collaborating with Southern Regional College for over 10 years, has helped us to develop innovative, specialised training solutions, to provide our people with enhanced skills and knowledge, helping Norbrook to continually deliver to our customers. The collaborative development of the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Applied Industrial Science (Chemical Science) ensured the content of the programme was directly aligned to the skills required by Norbrook. A testament to the success of the programme over the last number of years is that it has been adopted more widely across the Pharmaceutical Industry in Northern Ireland. The apprenticeship developed by SRC has provided a flexible and accessible model which has enabled our apprentices to effectively apply their learning’s from the College to their role in Norbrook Laboratories”.
The Department for the Economy’s Permanent Secretary, Noel Lavery added his congratulations to the winners.
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Year 13 students at Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry have taken part in a safe motoring presentation, which aims to create a community of safe new drivers. Over 100 of the students listeded to the presentation which covered all elements of safe motoring including learning to drive, buying a car, insurance, looking after your vehicle and road safety.
Mr Hackett, Our Lady’s Grammar School Year Head, who organised the presentation, commented; “Considering the dangers and challenges that exist for our young people while driving on the roads, we here in Our Lady’s appreciate the excellent advice and guidance that New Driver Safety Ambassadors, continues to offer to our Sixth Form girls.”
New Driver Safety Ambassador Ltd visit sixth forms in schools each year to deliver safe motoring presentations.
Their aim is educate all new drivers and passengers on making good motoring decisions.
All participants receive a free New Driver NI magazine and are asked to sign the New Driver pledge which includes the following 5 rules.
Respect the Speed Limit
No Mobile While Mobile!
Never Drive When Tired!
Not a Drop, Not a Drag!
Belt Up, Front & Back!
Stephen Savage, Project Manager at New Driver Safety Ambassadors said “The programme has been running for over four years now. Feedback from schools teachers and students is very positive. Making the pledge is a commitment to being as safe as possible on the roads.
“Too many young people are still losing their lives or being seriously injured on the roads across Northern Ireland. We want to see these figures reduce every year. We have set an ambitious target to get 10,000 pledges signed this year and we have made a good start since September.
The programme is completely free for schools as funding is provided by corporate sponsors including Charles Hurst First Time Buyer Centre, CRASH Services, Hankook Tyres, AB&C Insurance and JMK Solicitors. The Department for Infrastructure and some Policing and Community Safety partnerships also provide support.
To make a school booking please contact Stephen Savage on 07793 198100 or email info@newdriverni.com.
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St Paul’s High School Bessbrook recently teamed up with local company STATSports to launch their new jersey for the upcoming MacRory campaign.
As part of the launch STATSports presented their new APEX Athlete Series product using a range of practical workshops and interactive presentations to the A-level and GCSE PE students.
Newry based STATSports is a world-leading provider of GPS player tracking and analysis equipment with offices also in London, Chicago and Florida.
The next game for St Paul's is 10 November against Patrician High School, Carrickmacross.
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Students from the Southern Regional and South Eastern colleges recently took over the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chamber to stage a local ‘Question Time’. The event marked Local Democracy Week and focused on the topical theme of ‘Brexit and its impact on our local economy—a student’s perspective’.
A panel consisting of five councillors, representing the various political groupings within the Council, and a representative from the Council’s Corporate Services Directorate, fielded questions from the students.
Deputy Chairperson of Council, Councillor Oksana McMahon, officiated at the event which was chaired by local broadcaster Jim Fitzpatrick. Speaking at the end of the debate, she said, “I am delighted to have taken part in this debate and am impressed by your thoughtful and insightful questions and lively and engaged participation in today’s Local Democracy Week event.
“One of the Council’s strategic objectives is to empower and improve the capacity of our communities. From listening to you today, I have no doubt that, on completion of your studies, you will make a real contribution to our district and that those who travel beyond these shores will be great ambassadors for Newry, Mourne and Down.
“I wish you well in your studies and am sure you have a very bright future ahead. I would also encourage any of you who may be interested, to consider becoming a Councillor in the future—it’s a great way of positively contributing to your local community.”
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Seventeen Southern Regional College students are preparing to compete at the National Finals of the WorldSkills UK Competitions at the NEC in Birmingham in November.
The17 skilled young apprentices and students from SRC will compete in front of over 70,000 visitors at WorldSkills UK LIVE from 15 – 17 November.
WorldSkills UK LIVE is the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships and careers event. WorldSkills UK Competitions are run in over 60 skill areas and are proven to help people go further, faster in their training and chosen career.
Dr Neil Bentley, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “Our competitions equip apprentices and learners with the lifelong, world-class skills that will drive up training standards to the highest level to help boost UK productivity and competitiveness.”
The successful students from SRC will spend from now until November training for the WorldSkills UK Competitions, supported by their lecturers in the various skills areas. If successful in the National Finals they could be invited to join the WorldSkills UK training programme for the International WorldSkills Competition to be held in Shanghai, China in 2021.
Southern Regional College students who will be competing at the WorldSkills UK Finals are Shannon Mallon from Armagh, Kathryn Grant from Tandragee and Kirsty Frazer from Newtownhamilton, who were selected to compete in Beauty Therapy.
Saulius Repecka from Armagh will be competing in the Butchery category. In the Health and Social Care category, Sorcha Downey from Mayobridge has been selected.
Three students have been selected to compete in the Forensic Science Category; Nathan Cowan from Portadown, Joshua McKee from Tandragee and Elizabeth McAleavey from Laurencetown.
The Wall and Floor Tiling category also has three competitors from Southern Regional College; Odhran Connolly from Gilford, Sean McLoughlin from Newry and Cathal Murphy from Newry.
In Plastering and Drywall Systems, Glenn McArdle from Bessbrook will be competing. For Plumbing, Shane Murray from Keady has been selected and Benjamin Martin from Armagh has been selected for Electrical Installation.
Three of our Level 1 students have also got through to Inclusive Skills section of the competition for the first time. Bronagh Boothman from Dundalk and Thomas Neagle from Newry have been selected for the Catering category and Dalton McCoy from Portadown will compete in the Restaurant Service category.
Mr. Brian Doran, Chief Executive at Southern Regional College commented: “We are absolutely delighted that 17 of our students have been selected to participate at the WorldSkills UK competition, an event which showcases the very best talent from across the UK. Southern Regional College has the largest number of participants selected to compete from any college in Northern Ireland and this is a testament not only to the skill level of our participants but also to the support and professionalism of their lecturers. I wish each of our participants every success as they compete in Birmingham in November.”
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Ulster University in conjunction with Southern Regional College are offering a part time Diploma in the Irish Language at their Newry Campus. The diploma is proving very popular with only a few places left.
The course offers the opportunity to study the Irish language from a totally fresh beginning. It aims to bring students to a high level of competence in spoken and writen Irish by the end of the 2 years. Mature students are particularly welcome.
The diploma will run for 30 weeks per year over two years. Year 1: 6.30pm - 9.30pm Monday and Wednesday.
Students much normally have attained 5 passes (including English Language) at Grade C or above and should be at least 18 years of age.
Students will be in a position to gain employment in organisations wher spoken and written Irish is a requirement. You could also progress to study a BA Degree in Irish.
Furthur information from John McCaul at mccaulj@src.ac.uk or 0300 1231223
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St Paul's High School, Bessbrook held their Senior prize night on Thursday making presentations to GCSE and A Level students who completed their exams in 2018. Principal Jarlath Burns acknowledged the achievements of all those present. Guest Speaker on the night was past pupil Dr Caitlin Malone who made the journey from Derry.
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The final presentation of the Newry Prince’s Trust Team was held recently at Southern Regional College. The students spoke positively about how the programme has impacted upon their lives and helped them to decide on their future.
The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a free 12 week course which helps unemployed young people, aged 16-24, to develop new skills, increase their confidence and gain a qualification.
The next Prince's Trust Team programme is due to commence on 17th September 2018, if you or someone you know is interested in taking part please contact Fiona Ferris at SRC on 078 9459 4777 or email ferrisf@src.ac.uk
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Newry students starting university next month will have the opportunity to live in Queen’s Accommodation – even if they aren’t studying at Queen’s University.
Queen’s University Belfast Accommodation announced today that they are welcoming students from St Mary’s University College, Ulster University, Belfast Met and Stranmillis University College.
The news will delight local students keen to experience the much lauded accommodation.
And with Queen’s Accommodation opening two brand new city centre locations in Belfast, Northern Ireland students will have the chance to live in locations such as the leafy student community at Elms BT9 on the Malone Road to the sleek new city centre apartments in Elms BT1 (College Avenue) and Elms BT2 (McClintock Street).
Sinead Magennis, Accommodation Manager at Queen’s Accommodation, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome students from across Northern Ireland. So whether you’re studying in Belfast Met or another local institution you’re more than welcome to apply for Queen’s Accommodation.
“At Queen’s Accommodation we offer free off-peak membership of Queen’s Sport, flexible contract options, all-inclusive fees, a 24 hour reception, security staff every night and access to an action-packed residential life programme of over 350 events.
“We also offer free high-speed wired and Wi-Fi internet, contents insurance and full maintenance support 7 days a week,” Sinead added.
Queen’s students can apply today at www.qub.ac.uk
Non-Queen’s students can apply today at www.questback.com
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