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A St Malachy's Primary School pupil has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2025 Newsdesk Adobe Express Competition.
Shaheer Ahmed was selected for the shortlist out of over 2000 entries.
Adobe Express is a content creation tool designed for ease of use and accessible to users of all skill levels.
Shaheer created an excellent book cover with the software showcasing all his ICT skills at the St Martins Lane school in Newry.
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The Southern Regional College Music Department is offering free professional recording sessions for young musicians from schools across the region.
As part of SRC Music Dept’s ongoing commitment to supporting music education, students from St Joseph’s High School, Our Lady’s Grammar, and St John the Baptist College recently stepped into the studio, experiencing the magic of high-quality recording in a professional environment. The sessions catered to a variety of musical styles, capturing the incredible performances of school choirs and traditional Irish ensembles.
The impact was immediate, with students leaving SRC more motivated than ever to pursue their musical dreams. One attending school shared their excitement: "Many of our students were inspired today and have said they want to attend SRC to study music production! We absolutely loved the experience and working with you all. The students returned to school absolutely beaming, so thank you."
This initiative reflects SRC Music Dept’s dedication to fostering musical talent and providing hands-on learning experiences for current students. Each recording was facilitated by studio engineers from the final year Foundation Degree. By collaborating with local schools, the college hopes to ignite a passion for music and production, showing students the endless possibilities within the industry.
For more information about music opportunities at SRC, check out @srcmusicdept on Instagram.
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Two Newry students have picked up Awards at Ulster University Business School’s Excellence Awards, led by the Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing. Ciaran Rafferty and Katie McKee were two of 29 top performing students awarded.
Rafferty, a BSC Hons Marketing undergraduate student received the Chartered Institute of Marketing Award for Excellence for the Best student performance in a final year module.
McKee, a MSc Marketing postgraduate student, received the Whale Award for the Highest mark in Global Marketing and Competitiveness.
Now celebrating their fourteenth year, the awards are an opportunity to acknowledge exceptional talent across a range of subjects including Marketing, Management, Business Studies and Human Resource Management.
Last year, Ulster University was awarded University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards. This year, Ulster University’s Business School will celebrate 50 years of excellence, showcasing their commitment to excellence as they continue to shape careers for generations to come.
Dr Mary Boyd, Head of Department said "It’s truly inspiring to witness such a diverse pool of talent across our management, leadership and marketing programmes and it’s great to be able to come together to celebrate their hard work and dedication at the awards. It’s also fantastic to be able to host these at our very own Academy Restaurant on campus. Here at Ulster University Business School, we are dedicated to preparing students with the relevant skills to become leaders in their various fields. It wouldn’t be possible to hold these awards year on year without our sponsors, so I’d like to say thank you to each of them for their support. The Awards are particularly special to us this year as we also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Business School later this year.”
Award sponsors included Chartered Accountants Ireland Ulster Society, CIM, CIMA (Ireland), Deloitte, Factor, Grant Thornton, Hastings Hotels Group, Hunter Savage, Labour Relations Agency, Lynas Foodservice, Ocorian, Pilgrim’s Europe (formerly Moy Park), Professor Julie Hastings Scholarship, Red Star Brands, Shred Bank Ltd, Staffline Recruitment, The Belfast Telegraph, The Marketing Institute of Ireland, Whale, and the Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators.
For more information, visit www.ulster.ac.uk
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SRC students continue to benefit from the Northern Ireland Traineeship programme since its launch three years ago. The programme provides young people with valuable skills, practical experience, and qualifications, leading to meaningful employment opportunities across the region. Solely delivered within the Further Education (FE) sector, the programme has become an essential pathway for those seeking to gain a strong foothold in the workforce.
The NI Traineeship, which offers students a unique blend of practical work experience and academic learning at Level 2, has proven to be an excellent opportunity for young people to gain industry-specific skills while also earning a valued qualification. Traineeships not only enhance students' employability but also help them explore career options, acquire real-world skills, and transition seamlessly into further education or employment.
SRC Creative Arts and Digital Technologies Traineeship students Anna-Grace and Teagan Cousins have recently completed a British Film Institute short course which they were introduced to via their Traineeship course.
Recent Light Motor Vehicle Traineeship student Brody Duffy has progressed onto the light motor vehicles skills apprenticeship with Southern Regional College while former Vehicle Paint Refinishing Traineeship student Jack Harvison. has progressed to the Level 3 Apprenticeship course at Southern Regional College and placed top in the NI Regional Automotive Refinishing competition earlier this year.
Former SRC Professional Chef Traineeship student Sam Thompson has enjoyed success with his Traineeship studies at Southern Regional College and in the 2024 biennial IFEX competition Sam took a bronze medal in the junior poultry category.
A Three-Year Success Story
In the three years since its launch, the NI Traineeship programme has seen a steady rise in participation and a significant increase in success stories. Numbers of enrolled students on the NI Traineeship has risen significantly since its launch in 2021, where there were 808 enrolled students. This academic year (2024-25), there are approx. 3,200 enrolled students with a projected growth in enrolments to 4,500 for 2025-26.
With thousands of students already benefitting, traineeships have become one of the most highly regarded training opportunities in Northern Ireland, offering young people a stepping stone into some of the region's most in-demand industries, including healthcare, engineering, IT, construction, and hospitality.
Supporting Students Every Step of the Way
The NI Traineeship not only equips students with practical job-specific skills but also provides comprehensive support throughout their journey. Students can avail of the various support packages available within colleges, such as Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), the Further Education (FE) grant, hardship fund, bus pass, and free school meals, helping to alleviate financial barriers to education.
Pathways to Further Success
One of the key benefits of the NI Traineeship is the wide range of progression opportunities it offers. Upon completion of a traineeship, students have the flexibility to either progress onto a Level 3 apprenticeship, pursue further education at Level 3, or go directly into full-time employment. This seamless transition ensures that young people are well-equipped to meet the demands of the job market, while also providing them with the skills and experience needed to succeed.
Many students have already leveraged the programme to secure full-time employment or have continued their education with confidence, knowing they have the practical skills that employers seek. For employers, the traineeship programme offers an invaluable opportunity to develop the next generation of skilled workers, while also allowing them the flexibility to teach job-specific skills aligned with their industry.
For businesses, the NI Traineeship provides a unique opportunity to nurture future employees. Employers are able to collaborate closely with colleges to ensure trainees are gaining the precise skills needed in their industry. With the ability to train and mentor students directly, companies benefit from a pipeline of skilled, job-ready candidates who are familiar with the expectations and requirements of the workplace.
For more information on the NI Traineeship programme, including how to apply or how employers can get involved, please visit traineeships
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Pupils from St Joseph’s Boys High School and St Mary’s High School in Newry took part in an Education2Employment Career Pathways event at St Mary's High School yesterday, 27 March.
The event was funded by the Department for Communities and is managed and co-ordinated by Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency. The Programme targets the Neighbourhood Renewal Area and resident secondary school pupils and primary school pupils aged 11-18 attending schools servicing the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Area (NRA).
The Education2Employment Programme has four distinctive though interlinked elements:
The programme provides guidance and mentoring to young people from the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Area and this gives them direct exposure to the world of work and of running a business.
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Earlier this month Southern Regional College (SRC) students, Leah Omuvwie and Albert Karomo had the honour of attending a prestigious event at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) headquarters in London. This occasion marked the official relaunch of the Royal College of Nursing Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet scheme, now known as the Royal College of Nursing King’s Nursing Cadets. It also celebrated the 1000th RCN Nursing Cadet, with His Majesty the King in attendance.
This year, SRC partnered with Belfast Metropolitan College and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust to provide students with the opportunity to participate in the programme and gain invaluable work experience.
Leah and Albert both currently study the Health & Social Care Advanced Technical Award Level 3 Extended Diploma at Newry and Lurgan campuses, and participated in the cadet programme last year, gaining significant experience through a placement with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). Their positive experience motivated them to return as ambassadors, offering one-on-one support to this year's cadets.
Their dedication and hard work earned them the opportunity to represent SRC and Northern Ireland at this significant event. Reflecting on their experience, Albert stated “This opportunity has been transformative both personally and professional. Participating in this programme has opened many doors and enhanced my confidence.” Leah echoed his sentiment, saying, “The scheme has given me so much more confidence”.
Sara Gilpin, Course Director Levels 4 & 5 Health & Social Care and SRC Lead for RNC Kings Nursing Cadets Scheme further commented: “I believe this is an excellent opportunity for young people to gain an insight into health and social care and explore the various career paths available in the field. Leah and Albert have been fantastic ambassadors for SRC and Northern Ireland and their support towards the new Cadets has been highly valued.”
This programme offers young people access to academic study and hands-on experience within the health and social care sector. Cadets complete 40 hours teaching and learning, plus 20 hours clinical observation within a healthcare environment. The programme serves as an excellent stepping stone for individuals aged between 16-25 years old who wish to pursue a career in this sector.
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Launched in 2022 the Employ Me programme has had a massive impact on community residents within Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council. A celebration event was held last week on the Southern Regional College’s Newry campus where programme partners and guests came together to celebrate the vast impact of the scheme to date.
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund the programme has enabled participants to transform their future. The programme targeted economically inactive participants, those the furthest from the job market with specific support available for those facing additional challenges, from people with caring responsibilities, long-term unemployed individuals, those with past involvement in the justice system, and women seeking to return to work.
A unique partnership between Clanrye Group, Community Advice Newry Mourne and Down, Women’s Aid Armagh Down and SRC, this partnership has provided programme participants with essential vocational training and qualifications to secure employment and wraparound support from CV building, interview skills, counselling and short workshops, to break down barriers and help participants on their journey back to employment.
Speaking on the programme’s success, Lee Campbell, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented: “The collaboration and partnership between sectors brings the strengths, reach, specialist advice, support and services of our voluntary and community sector partners together with the vocational training and expertise of Southern Regional College. We look forward to continuing this work with our partners, to support local people into meaningful jobs and well as supporting employers to address labour shortages and continuing to provide the best possible support for the people we serve.”
At the programme outset, Employ Me set out to support 1,400 individuals. The programme smashed this target enrolling and supporting close to 1,700 individuals in the last two years, 123% of the original target. Males and females have been equally supported in the programme with 845 programme participants being female and 840 participants being male. All ages were encouraged to engage with the programme, with 70% of participants within the age range of 19-49 years old, 23% being aged 50 plus and the remaining 7% between the ages of 16-18 years old.
Kellie Murray, CEO Community Advice Newry, Mourne and Down further added: "Employ Me is a programme to support the most vulnerable in our society. We are here to support individuals, do a benefit check and show that they are financially better off having a job."
Eileen Murphy, CEO of Women’s Aid Armagh Down added to this sentiment: “The voluntary and community sector working alongside each other is really important because the response to domestic abuse has to be a whole society response. The future potential of the programme is significant and we were delighted to be part of this unique opportunity.”
Funding for Employ Me will continue until March 2026.
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One of Super Trowel’s regional heats took place at Southern Regional College’s Greenbank, Newry campus in late March. The regional heat gave spectators an insight into the thrill that accompanies the fierce competition that exists within bricklaying. Super Trowel is the ultimate bricklaying competition, celebrating craftmanship, speed and precision. However, it is more than just a bricklaying competition; it is a celebration of skill and determination.
This year marks a significant milestone with the first ever regional competition taking place on the island of Ireland. The event was the second of five regional heats in the 2025 competition series and marks a pivotal moment for bricklayers locally to demonstrate their skills.
On the day, seven teams each consisting of a bricklayer and hod carrier, battled it out to build walls under the watchful eyes of judges and to competition requirements. Contestants were allowed two hours prior to the competition, to set their starter courses of blocks and bricks, with the actual contest consisting of a pressurised 60-minute duration, followed up by a 20-minute jointing and pointing up period.
Points were awarded for the number of bricks laid. But deductions were also enforced for any bricks that did not meet the judges’ strict marking criteria. Ash Mahoney along with hod carrier Reece Keane, were triumphant with a first-place win consisting of 634 bricks laid (704 before deductions). Event winner Ash, was no stranger to the competition, having previously competed in Super Trowel regional events.
Among the skilled competitors were former SRC students Shane Roe and Roche McParland. Shane achieved an impressive 3rd place, laying 442 bricks (509 before deductions), bringing 16 years of experience to the competition.
Both Ash Mahony and second place finisher Damien O’Neill will now progress to the Super Trowel National Final which takes place on 13th and 14th August at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park exhibition and conference venue in Warwickshire. One wild card entry from the UK qualifiers is still available for the highest 3rd place finisher. It remains to be seen whether Shane Roe will secure this spot, with regional competition activities concluding at the end of April.
Gareth Mone, Curriculum Area Manager at Southern Regional College commented: “We were delighted to host the 2025 Super Trowel regional heat here at Southern Regional College within our dedicated training centre at the Greenbank campus. Contestants certainly brought the skill of bricklaying to the fore and demonstrated the craftmanship that goes into laying bricks. Congratulations to all who took part in the competition, it takes immense courage and nerves of steel to compete under the judges’ intense scrutiny. Here, at the College, we look forward to making this an annual event. Mark your calendars now for next years event.”
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The Kilkeel High School U14, U16, and U18 teams have made history by achieving an unprecedented treble in the Ulster Hockey High School Cup Finals.
Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Pete Burns hosted a Civic Reception for the teams at Kilkeel High School on Tuesday past, 1 April to celebrate their amazing achievement.
The girls’ hockey teams claimed victory by winning three championship titles in a single competition. Speaking about this incredible achievement, Chairperson Councillor Pete Burns said, “This remarkable accomplishment by the girls’ hockey teams highlights the dedication, teamwork and determination of the players and coaches and is a testament to the strength of the school’s sports programme. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the parents and coaches for their unwavering support which undoubtably helped them to achieve their incredible successes.”
“Your tenacity and determination have truly shone through. You've shown what it means to persevere and to work as a team."
Cllr Byrne added that he had no doubt that the team members have a bright sporting future ahead.
He continued, “In addition to the girls' historic achievements, Kilkeel High School’s boys’ teams also made it to the finals in their respective competitions, narrowly missing out on the title. The girls' victories and the boys’ impressive runs in their respective finals have made for a truly memorable week for Kilkeel High School, one that will be celebrated for years to come.”
To mark this historic occasion, Councillor Burns presented an engraved crystal bowl to the school in recognition of their achievement.
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