Community Pharmacy teams administer over 35,000 vaccines in the first 6 weeks

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI with Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA following the Minister’s vaccine.

The community pharmacy network across Northern Ireland has administered over 35,000 Covid-19 vaccines in the first weeks of the roll-out.

At the end of March, 340 community pharmacies were given the green light to begin inoculating the public against Covid-19. Since then, local pharmacies have seen a high demand for the vaccine, with many running out of their allocated supply within the first two weeks of the roll-out.

Local pharmacies are hoping to see a greater supply of the vaccine delivered to them in coming weeks as current levels of the AstraZeneca vaccine are low, with many community pharmacists seeing long waiting lists of patients emerging.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Bringing community pharmacy into the Covid-19 vaccination programme has vastly improved access to the vaccine on the high streets of our towns, cities, and villages throughout Northern Ireland. Patients have had the option to receive their vaccine from a convenient and familiar health care professional, that they know and trust. The feedback we have been receiving is that patients really welcome the vaccine being available from pharmacies and that is tremendous endorsement for the service.

“Community pharmacies are the best places to reach the public including those in hard-to-reach communities and those in disadvantaged areas. With the level of pharmacies administering the vaccine, no eligible person should have far to travel to become protected against Covid-19.

“Vaccine supply has been limited, and we thank the public for their patience while we wait for more supplies to be delivered. Once the supply improves, we expect numbers to grow further and are engaging with the Department of Health to ensure a greater amount of vaccine is supplied to community pharmacies.

“I would encourage anyone eligible to book your vaccine with your local community pharmacy.”

Community Pharmacist, Sheelin McKeagney, said:

“It has been great to be able to vaccinate our own patients and the familiar faces that we see every day. We know many of our patients prefer not to travel too far to get their vaccine, particularly those in rural areas where it is just not as easy to get to larger vaccination centres.

“The one frustration has been having to turn some patients away due to the restricted amount of vaccine we have been supplied. Given our capacity to do this, we hope to see more vaccine become available in the coming weeks. We have a waiting list of people who want vaccinated by their local pharmacist and we want to fulfil that demand. 

“Being part of the vaccine programme has been a real positive lift for both staff and our patients. Since the roll-out began, patients have commented that the convenience of getting the vaccine at their local pharmacy is a benefit as it means they can get vaccinated at a convenient time that suits them from a clinician they know locally. We are also delighted to be able to offer the vaccine as it means we are able to support our patients and relieve any concerns or anxieties they have.”

To find your closest vaccinating community pharmacy: https://covid-19.hscni.net/community-pharmacy-covid-19-vaccination-service/

NILGA expresses concerns over EU Successor Funding to Assembly Infrastructure Committee

NILGA CEO Derek McCallan

Speaking after providing evidence to the NI Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee on EU Successor Funding in Northern Ireland, NILGA Chief Executive Derek McCallan said:

“We welcomed the opportunity to brief members of the Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee this morning. We are in very different times to the relatively stable period when EU Structural Funds were designed and distributed but some principles and acute needs remain the same. Now, emerging from Covid & post EU mainstream investment, driving community and needs led enterprise and funding co-ordinated by Councils will ensure recovery happens better and faster. We continue to lag behind the other UK and European regions on several economic measures. NILGA has concerns about EU Successor Funding like the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, and getting locally led engagement now is urgent and will ensure locality based budgets – not institutional criteria – becomes the way forward.

“The funding – billions of pounds over the next decade -  is too important for our region to get wrong. NILGA, in partnership with SOLACE, has previously set out indisputable recommendations for a new approach to post EU investment from the UK government here, including a commitment to set strategic priorities at a regional and local level, ensuring there is maximum devolution of management and resources to local government. New times need a new approach, let’s harness the medical hopes we have at the moment and be ever more enterprising right across government, commissioning social economy and small business partners to sustain NI and getting the 11 Community Plans of our Councils recognised and resourced as engines of growth.”

Leading businesses to promote the value of work experience

Allstate NI, EY and Herbert Smith Freehills are back with the fourth instalment in the virtual ‘Your Child, Their Future’ series, this time to promote the value of work experience.

Industry experts from Career Ready, The Prince’s Trust and Business in the Community NI will share their knowledge on how on-the-job placements can prepare school leavers for the world of work in the informal virtual discussion on Wednesday 12 May.

Work experience is often the first contact young people have with the professional world. After a year of remote learning and staying apart, many teenagers due to enter the labour market in the coming months are without any occupational experience.

As global leaders that employ over 4,000 people in Northern Ireland, Allstate NI, EY and Herbert Smith Freehills are bringing together industry specialists to give parents and pupils the chance to ask questions, explore opportunities and learn about the merits of work experience.

In order to meet the developing needs of businesses, the firms believe it is time young people step away from the computer screen and gain a taste of the workplace that will promote inspiration for future career aspirations and enhance their social and communication skills.

Given the trajectory of local industry, the leading employers hope to encourage real-life experience in the most in demand occupations, particularly across science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Hosted by former BBC journalist Sarah Travers, the free online event will feature three industry experts, who are parents themselves, to engage in dialogue with families about the best route to successful, well paid employment.

Speakers will include:

• Tony Madden, Regional Manager for Career Ready, a charity that works with local employers to support 17-18 year olds to build employability skills.

• Aoife Moody, Senior Head of Operations at The Prince’s Trust Northern Ireland, who has 14 years’ experience in supporting young people to realise their potential.

• Joanne Mehaffy, Business in the Community’s Programme Manager for Work Inspiration, an initiative to make work experience more meaningful, relevant, and inspiring.

John Healy, Vice President & Managing Director at Allstate NI said:

“We are thrilled to be hosting another ‘Your Child, Their Future’ event to promote the concept of work experience among young people and their parents. Teenagers preparing to leave school have been living with a question mark over their future careers as Covid-19 placed aspirations and plans to enter the world of work on hold.”

“As society reopens, it is essential that we engage with school leavers and their families, particularly with young women, to give them a flavour of what a career in tech can really look like. Across all sectors, it is important that we invest in the development of our future leaders to secure the best skills and talent to meet business needs going forward.”

Aoife Moody, Senior Head of Operations at The Prince’s Trust Northern Ireland said:

“Many young people go through education with an idea of where they will work when they grow up. Often influenced by parents and older siblings, it is only when teenagers leave the comfort of the school classroom for their first work experience that they get a true picture of the world of employment.”

“The chance to experience potential work environments first-hand was unfortunately taken from many during periods of remote learning, however it is now time that we consider a return to vocational experience. Young people rely on these experiences to inform their subject choices and extra-curricular activities going forward and it is essential that we do everything we can to help them realise their full potential.”

To register for this event please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-child-their-future-the-value-of-work-experience-tickets-149683709003?fbclid=IwAR3NjpJFE5OASlwYUbCtzrh5tLde9J4iQd4FntWQIKsbVgXzFbcQxOio-EU

DEC charities respond to Covid-19 surge in India with appeal to fund medical supplies, treatment facilities and logistical support

A family member looks on as several funeral pyres of patients who died of Covid-19 burn during the mass cremation at Ghazipur cremation ground in New Delhi, India. Credit: Naveen Sharma/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

In India, a second wave of coronavirus is having a devastating impact. With a health system struggling to cope, hospitals overrun and oxygen supplies falling short of demand, thousands of people are not able to receive potentially life-saving treatment. Several cities have imposed lockdowns and curfews, which have a knock-on effect for people’s livelihoods and leaves the poorest and most marginalised communities hit hardest.  

The DEC Coronavirus Appeal has been extended to include India in response to the devastating surge. DEC member charities, including Tearfund, Concern, Save the Children and the Red Cross in Northern Ireland have a long history of working with the most vulnerable communities in India and, together with their local teams and partners, they are playing a critical role in supporting the country’s health services, assisting efforts to slow the spread of the virus, and providing further assistance to the most vulnerable households.  

DEC-funded aid delivery will include medical supplies, treatment facilities and logistics assistance to support India’s health system, as well as helping vulnerable families protect themselves from the virus with water, soap, handwashing stations and information. 

Please donate now to help the most vulnerable people in India as they face a devastating coronavirus surge. 

How to Donate

Online: dec.org.uk  

Phone: 0370 60 60 900 

SMS: Text SUPPORT to 70150 to donate £10. 

Post: Send a cheque to DEC Coronavirus Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA. 

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 3 May 2021

Forward Look

• Arlene Foster MLA announced she will resign as Leader of the DUP on 28 May and will step down as First Minister at the end of June. The process to appoint her replacement will take place in due course. While a new leader is likely to be elected by the end of May, a senior DUP source has told BBC NI that there are likely to be negotiations between the DUP and Sinn Féin before Sinn Féin agree to the appointment of a new First Minister.

• Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced his candidacy for leader of the DUP.

• The Disasters Emergency Committee has extended its Coronavirus appeal to help India manage the surge in Covid-19 infections. Donate here: LINK.

• The Executive Office confirmed applications for the Troubles victims’ pension scheme will open on 30 June 2021.

• Parliament was prorogued yesterday ahead of the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday 11 May.

• Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has announced the High Street Stimulus (HSS) Scheme is expected to open at the end of the summer. The HSS Scheme will allow every person in Northern Ireland aged 18 and over to apply for a £100 pre-paid card to spend on their local high street. The Holiday at Home Voucher Scheme will be launched in the autumn.

• EmTech Europe has announced the speaker line up for the 2021 conference held in Belfast. The headline speakers include Kenneth Chien, co-founder of Covid-19 vaccine company Moderna, and Nicole Eagan, co-founder and CSO of Darktrace.

• Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney TD has announced the first British-Ireland Intergovernmental Conference may take place “in the coming weeks or months”. This will be the first conference since 2019.

• Sinn Féin Foyle MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan have been asked to consider their positions as the party aims to rebuild in the city after poor electoral performances, according to the Irish Examiner.

• The Executive Office and the Agriculture Minister will face the Assembly for Question Time on Tuesday. The Pension Schemes Bill has reached the Consideration Stage and will also be considered on Tuesday and the Executive Office will vote on motions regarding The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021.

• The Infrastructure Committee will meet on Wednesday to receive a briefing from the NI Local Government Association and SOLACE NI on EU Successor Funding.

• The Economy Committee will receive a briefing from the Department for Infrastructure on regional planning issues on Wednesday. The Finance Committee will also meet on Wednesday to receive oral evidence from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on fiscal council options.

• On Thursday the Health Committee will receive a departmental briefing on the vaccination programme and on health inequalities. The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee will also meet on Thursday to receive a closed written briefing on consideration of the work plan for the Climate Change Bill and will hear oral evidence from the PSNI on the withdrawal of DAERA and Local Authority staff from the ports.

Other Stories this week

• The Alliance Party published its 2021 Green New Deal manifesto, proposing the creation of 50,000 inclusive and green jobs aimed at economic and social recovery over the next decade: LINK.

• Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced £21m in Covid grants will be issued to over 850 manufacturing businesses.

• Former Housing Minister and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, Eoghan Murphy, resigned his seat in the Dáil to pursue a career in international affairs. There will be a by-election in due course.

• The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to approve the post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and the UK. 660 voted in favour and 5 voted against.

• The Department for the Economy has opened applications for the position of Chair to the Board of NI Screen. The application deadline is 7 May 2021.

• Belfast City Council’s new Standards and Business Committee will be made up on 20 members and has delegated authority regarding Notices of Motion. It is due to sit in the coming months.

• A cross-departmental report on the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Action Plan was published showing progress for 2020/2021 and setting out the action plan for year six of the seven year strategy plan: LINK.

• An official inquiry has been launched by the Electoral Commission into the source of funding for Boris Johnson’s refurbishment of his 11 Downing Street flat.

• Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced a further expansion to the current asymptomatic testing programme for workforces. All organisations with 10 or more employees or volunteers, who cannot work from home, can now access the workforce asymptomatic testing programme. The Covid-19 vaccination programme is now open to the 35-39 age group, with an early opportunity for the 30-34 age group to book their vaccine from 10am today.

Upcoming key political and business events

• 6 May, Scottish and Welsh Parliamentary Elections, English Local Elections

• 11 May State Opening of Parliament

• 27 May, FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards

• 1 June, Belfast City Council Meeting

• 10-11 June, BelTech 2021

• 1-2 July, EmTech Europe, MIT Technology Review

Consultations

• Consultation on Modern Slavery Transparency in Supply Chains Department of Justice. Deadline 12 May 2021.

• Inquiry into the Experience of Minority Ethnic and Migrant People in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Deadline 21 May 2021.

• Consultation on proposals to include teachers in fair employment legislation Chris Lyttle MLA, Alliance. Deadline 10 June 2021.

• Consultation on review of the Northern Ireland Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan Department for the Economy. Deadline 25 June 2021.

• Consultation on policy options for the new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland Department for the Economy. Deadline 30 June 2021.

• Consultation on pre-school education admissions criteria Department of Education. Deadline 12 July 2021.

• Consultation on a Statutory Duty of Candour and Being Open Framework Department of Health. Deadline 2 August 2021.

‘Time to get people active again,’ says GLL as gyms reopen

Users return to the gym at GLL’s Better Leisure Centres.

Social enterprise GLL has hailed the reopening of gyms and swimming pools as a crucial step forward in rebuilding public health and wellbeing.

As indoor leisure reopens in line with Covid-19 regulations, the Belfast leisure operator says vital work to get people living active and healthy lifestyles again can now get underway.

 Individual training in gyms and swimming pools is now permitted, including one-to-one coaching with social distancing in place.

 Before the pandemic, GLL facilitated over 180,000 centre visits per month and is looking forward to welcoming back families, school-aged children and patients referred from GP and cancer care services.

 The social enterprise believes if we are to truly learn lessons from the pandemic, we must get more people, more active, more often to mitigate the impact of conditions like Long Covid, obesity and diabetes on local people and services.

 Plans are in place to resume group fitness classes and swimming lessons in limited numbers on May 24, in line with indicative dates published by the Executive.

 Welcoming the return of indoor leisure, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA encouraged citizens to enjoy a safe and responsible return to training.

 Minister Hargey MLA said: 

 “It is fantastic to see gyms and swimming pools open their doors again after such a challenging year. As we take these cautious steps out of restrictions, it is vital that leisure services step in to support and protect citizens and I am delighted to see so many operators doing so.”

“We recognise that restrictions on public life, including our ability to exercise and swim, have been extremely difficult. It is essential that we prioritise our health and wellbeing as we emerge from lockdown.”

Regional Director of GLL Gareth Kirk said:

“This week marks the first time since December that citizens have had the ability to train in the gym or enjoy a swim, activities which we once took for granted. Given the huge demand for outdoor fitness classes in recent weeks, it is clear there is appetite among the public to get back to training.” 

“Just as the economy needs our attention, the physical health of our population must be prioritised if we are to avoid overwhelming our health trusts going forward. We at GLL have been preparing to welcome members old and new back to safely kickstart their training and challenge themselves to be healthier, stronger and more resilient than ever before.”

Irish Government must listen to border workers' concerns and address damaging tax laws, urges Cross Border Workers Coalition

The Cross Border Workers Coalition has urged the Irish Government to reform unfair tax laws which harm border workers and their communities.

The Coalition has called on the Irish Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe TD, to shift his focus from international tax reform to addressing damaging domestic tax laws which can penalise cross border workers, who live in the Republic of Ireland but work in Northern Ireland, with a ‘double tax’ on their income if they work remotely.

This comes as Minister Donohoe has recently accepted the loss of €2 billion of corporation tax revenue by adopting new OECD tax proposals. The Coalition has urged the Minister to display the same level of flexibility for disadvantaged frontier workers.

Temporarily waivered tax requirements in the Republic of Ireland can deny cross border workers the ability to claim tax relief on their income if they work remotely. The Coalition argues that despite introducing several policies promoting remote work in the last year, the Irish Government have ignored the need for a permanent solution to this issue which can deny thousands of cross border workers modern-day working practises.

While an NI resident employee can work in the Republic of Ireland for up to 60 days without triggering a tax liability, a Republic of Ireland resident employee working in Northern Ireland loses the ability to claim Cross Border Workers Relief for carrying out any work-related activities from home.

Based in the North West, the Coalition is an alliance of individual employees who live in the ‘necklace’ region of the Republic of Ireland but work in Northern Ireland. It represents businesses and trade bodies who rely on a cross border workforce including Londonderry and Newry Chambers of Commerce.

The leadership of the Coalition warn that, left unchanged, current income tax laws in the Republic of Ireland will discourage foreign investment in the border areas, sharpen the regional imbalance in the all-island economy and unfairly penalise cross border workers.

Cross Border Workers Coalition Co-Chair, Aidan O’Kane, has said:

“Recent proposals from the Irish Government such as the National Remote Work Strategy and Our Rural Future plans have shown Ministers’ commitment to accommodating remote work for all. Despite this, no action has been taken to change cross border tax laws which can effectively prohibit thousands from home-working. If the Government is serious about protecting borderland communities and addressing regional imbalance in the economy as set out in the Shared Island Unit, this issue must be urgently addressed.”

“The Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe TD has recently led discussions on international tax policy reform whilst ignoring the dire need for reform in domestic tax rules. The Minister has said that up to €2 billion of the Irish Government’s tax revenue will be lost under new OECD tax proposals. We urge the Minister to display the same level of flexibility in permanently resolving this issue for the thousands of cross-border workers his Government represents.”

“As public and private sector organisations across the island move towards permanently introducing remote working provisions, the Irish Government must act now and introduce new, flexible cross border tax rules which uphold the rights of cross border workers and protect the interests of borderland communities. We look forward to this issue being raised at relevant all-island platforms including the North South Ministerial Council, the newly established Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and in our future meeting with Finance Minister Donohoe.”

Londonderry Chamber of Commerce CEO, and member of the Steering Group of the Cross Border Workers Coalition, Paul Clancy, has said:

“Given our proximity to the border with the Republic of Ireland, many of our members are cross border workers themselves, or employ them. The ‘double tax’ burden for those who work remotely makes it difficult for many North West businesses to attract and retain skilled workers who live on their doorstep and must be addressed.”

“A permanent change in cross border tax laws to solve this issue would encourage foreign investment, stimulate job creation at a time of significant economic uncertainty, and grant a better work/life balance to frontier workers. The Chamber fully supports the proposals of the Coalition and echoes the call for urgent action from the Irish Government.”

Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade President, and member of the Steering Group of the Cross Border Workers Coalition, Emma Mullen-Marmion, has said:

“The last 12 months have seen a fundamental shift in our working practises. Remote working is here to stay, and for businesses across Newry City, flexible working arrangements will be instrumental in future growth. Left unchanged, these restrictive personal tax rules in the Republic of Ireland will disadvantage local businesses and put undue financial and personal pressures on the lives of many cross border workers.”

“The Chamber reiterates its call for a permanent, pragmatic solution to this issue and urges the Irish Government to imminently consider proposals to change current, damaging tax laws.”

Londonderry Chamber urges businesses to avail of workforce testing

Londonderry Chamber Chief Executive Paul Clancy

The Londonderry Chamber has welcomed the further expansion to the current asymptomatic testing programme for workforces by the Department of Health and has urged North West businesses to make use of the programme.

Organisations and workforces with 10 or more employees, who cannot work from home, will now be able to access the workforce asymptomatic testing programme. Previously this scheme was only open to businesses with more than 50 members of staff.

Provision has also been made to enable small businesses or organisations with 10 or fewer employees who cannot work from home to access rapid Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests. The range of options will be expanding over the coming weeks but currently includes an LFD Collect service from Local Testing Sites and a Home Delivery service. Currently, LFD tests can be collected from Magee Ulster University between 3pm and 8pm.

Londonderry Chamber Chief Executive Paul Clancy said:

“The expansion of the workforce testing programme by the Department of Health is a very welcome step which will enable our businesses to get back to work and our economy to reopen. Extending this vital scheme down to businesses with 10 or more employees is a common sense decision which reflects the importance of small and micro businesses to the Northern Ireland economy.

“This expansion is particularly timely as we prepare to reopen our retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors post-lockdown. Even with the successful roll-out of our vaccine programme, schemes like regular rapid testing will be key in identifying and stamping out Covid cases and will play a crucial role in ensuring our businesses can remain open and trading.

“I would urge any and all eligible businesses in the North West to avail of this free scheme which will keep your staff safe and give your customers confidence as they return in the coming weeks and months.”

Further details of the programme, and information on what it means for employers, are available on the Department of Health website and NI Business Info.

Londonderry Chamber welcomes Economy Minister to North West

(L-R) Gary Middleton, MLA for Foyle; Selina Horshi, Managing Director, White Horse Hotel; Dawn McLaughlin, President, Londonderry Chamber; Paul Clancy, Chief Executive, Londonderry Chamber; Diane Dodds MLA, Minister for the Economy; and Paul Curtis, Partner, Curtis Opticians.

The Londonderry Chamber has welcomed Economy Minister Diane Dodds to the North West ahead of the further reopening of the Northern Ireland economy from this Friday.

The Minister met with local business representatives to hear an update ahead of the reopening of all retail, outdoor hospitality, and gyms and leisure centres from Friday 30 April.

The Minister also met with a Chamber delegation to discuss ongoing Covid support, the full reopening of the economy and, the recovery of the North West economy post-pandemic.

Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin said:

“We welcomed the opportunity to host the Minister in the North West. We discussed a range of issues affecting the regional economy here in the North West, in particular the lifting of further Covid restrictions this week, ongoing Executive support for our hardest-hit businesses, and the recovery of the economy post-lockdown.

“It is promising to see the economy begin to reopen and there is an air of excitement and anticipation as we inch closer towards normality once again.

“We urged the Minister to continue financially supporting our businesses as they get back on their feet and until such time as they are able to trade freely and fully. We welcomed the Minister’s commitment to keep open the financial support schemes for hospitality businesses until they can fully reopen, especially as only a small percentage of our pubs and restaurants will be able to serve outdoors. We urged the Minister and the Executive to remain focused on the May 24th date of the full reopening of the hospitality and tourism sectors and we hope that everything is done to ensure that we can stick to this date.

“The Minister’s Economic Recovery Action Plan, which includes the High Street Stimulus Scheme and the Tourism Voucher Scheme as well as boosting Northern Ireland’s skills capacity and delivering a greener and more sustainable economy, will go some way to rebuilding our economy. The voucher schemes will provide a much-needed stimulus to our retail and tourism sectors, two vital areas of the North West’s economy, and we look forward to their roll-out later this summer.

“I thank Minister Dodds again for visiting the North West and I look forward to further engagements with her and her department over the coming months as we recover and rebuild.”

Further Education Colleges mark second annual Apprenticeship Week

Chair of the Further Education Colleges Principal’s Group, Ken Webb

To mark the second annual Apprenticeship Week, Northern Ireland’s six Further Education Colleges, together with local employers, are encouraging young people to look outside of academic pathways and consider an apprenticeship.

In a week-long celebration, in partnership with the Department for the Economy, each College will look at ‘What it is to be an apprentice’ while highlighting the opportunities and benefits on offer through the many apprenticeships available with employers in Northern Ireland.

Over the last 8 years more than 40,000 people have undertaken an apprenticeship that has led to full time employment in a wide range of sectors. The introduction of Higher-Level Apprenticeships has transformed the landscape and is helping to address the current and future workforce development needs of local companies.

Today’s apprenticeships exist in an increasing range of professional and service sectors from Applied Science, Accountancy, FinTech, through to Digital Marketing, Mechatronics and Cloud Computing. Apprenticeships now offer clear progression pathways from Level 2 (GCSE) through to degree level apprenticeships which offer an alternative to the more traditional academic pathway to obtaining a University degree.

As restrictions begin to ease and people begin to return to and seek employment, the Further Education Colleges are urging younger people to contact them to find out about the hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities in their locality. 

Ken Webb, Chair of the Further Education Colleges Principal’s Group said:

“Apprenticeship Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate all the fantastic learners who have chosen an apprenticeship.

“Across Northern Ireland, thousands of young people each year are learning through apprenticeships schemes. The practical, on the job nature of these programmes, combined with the knowledge base and qualifications gained, means a young person is set up to begin their career with the right skills for the right role.

“As the Economy begins to open up again the value of Apprenticeships in supporting economic recovery cannot be underestimated. Apprenticeships are the first step to gaining the vital knowledge and skills that are being sought by employers who often state ‘experience needed’ when recruiting. Across the six Colleges, we offer a range of opportunities for our learners to begin their career progression.

“With close links to over 9,000 employers, there is a range of apprentice options in an array of sectors. From Higher-Lever Apprenticeships in emerging sectors like FinTech and Cybersecurity to programmes in the core sectors of our economy including health and social care, engineering and ICT, the opportunities are endless.

“On Apprenticeship Week, all six colleges encourage any young person looking for career opportunities to consider an apprenticeship. It is an open door to a promising career in your chosen industry.”