Further Education Colleges launch new Traineeship and Advanced Technical Awards

(Left to Right): Further Education students Shannon Neilly, Aimee McWilliams, Juvaldino Baretto and Adenike Yisa lawal.

(Left to Right): Further Education students Shannon Neilly, Aimee McWilliams, Juvaldino Baretto and Adenike Yisa lawal.

The six regional Further Education Colleges in Northern Ireland, with the support of the Department for the Economy, have launched a new system of vocational learning focused on building a skilled workforce.

The Advanced Technical Award and Traineeships will help school leavers acquire new professional and technical skills in a range of vocational sectors.

The awards aim to address the growing skills gap in Northern Ireland and provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for entering the world of work, as well as opportunities to progress to further study, including Higher Level Education.

The new awards are available in a wide range of disciplines such as IT, Health and Social Care, Applied Science, Construction, Engineering and Business and Finance.

The Level 2 Traineeship will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed by employers and permits movement across to Apprenticeships and progression to Further Education.

The new Advanced Technical Award at Level 3 has been designed to meet the needs of industry and includes a 3 A-level equivalent qualification, industry related project work, skills development and a component of work-based learning. 

The new vocational awards will give learners the chance to gain meaningful experience in the workplace, as well as offering progression pathways to Higher Level Apprenticeships and Higher Level Education in College or University.

Chair of the College Principals’ Group, Ken Webb said:

“We are excited to launch these two new awards at a time of enormous change in both our economy and wider society. Now more than ever, people are assessing their options and looking for careers that work for them and that offer long-term opportunities and the chance to progress. We know that currently, thousands of our young people are studying in Great Britain rather than studying locally. This brain drain impacts our economy significantly because many of those people do not return home, leaving a growing skills gap in Northern Ireland that employers are finding difficult to fill. We want young people locally to understand that there are many more routes to promising careers in areas like accountancy, healthcare, engineering and IT.”

Former student of North West Regional College, Katie Durey said:

“Going to College was the best decision I ever made. When I was planning for my future after school, I was quite unsure as to what path I wanted to take and felt that university was not the right place for me at that stage. Doing my Extended Diploma Level 3 at North West opened my eyes to what was possible through my local College. I studied Health Sciences and now have an offer to study Paramedic Science at university. The skills I gained at North West, as well as the confidence it has given me in choosing the right career path are priceless.”

John Harkin, Founder and CEO of Alchemy Technology Services said: 

“Industry relies on local Further Education Colleges for that steady pipeline of skilled people entering the Northern Ireland workforce. The biggest advantage to the Colleges is that they can respond quickly to shifting demands and our ongoing relationship with them means they understand exactly what we need. The courses are designed with industry in mind. It is hugely reassuring to see that the Colleges are determined to play an integral role in growing a skilled workforce in Northern Ireland and responding to changes in industry after a turbulent 18 months.”

 

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 31 May 2021

Forward Look

  • The DUP’s Executive has formally ratified Edwin Poots MLA as Party Leader and Paula Bradley MLA as Deputy Leader. According to the News Letter’s Sam McBride, Edwin Poots MLA was ratified by 72 votes to 28. A reshuffle of the DUP ministerial team is expected to be announced on Tuesday with multiple media outlets stating Paul Givan MLA is to become the new First Minister, Deputy Leader Paula Bradley MLA to become Junior Minister, Paul Frew MLA as Economy Minister, and Michelle McIlveen MLA to become Education Minister.

  • The Ulster Unionist Party Council has also confirmed Doug Beattie MLA as Party Leader and Robbie Butler MLA as Deputy Leader. A reshuffle of senior party and committee positions took place earlier in the week with Mike Nesbitt MLA moving to the Economy Committee, John Stewart MLA becoming Deputy Chair of the Executive Office Committee, and Andy Allen MLA appointed as Deputy Chief Whip.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has launched a skills strategy for Northern Ireland with focus on increasing further education qualifications in technical and professional skills and rebalancing higher education towards STEM. A Skills Council will be also established to bring together leaders in business, government and education to support skills development.

  • New legislation to reform Northern Ireland’s gambling laws will be brought forward by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA before the Assembly’s summer recess.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has confirmed that he will bring forward an alternative Climate Change Bill in due course. Clare Bailey’s Private Members’ Bill, supported by all parties except the DUP, has been given an extension to its Committee Stage until 17 December 2021.

  • The First Stage of the Financial Reporting (Departments and Public Bodies) Bill (NI) is expected to take place in the Assembly next week. The bill would allow the Department of Finance to issue directions to other departments as to how accounts and budget estimates are supplied.

  • The Health Committee has agreed to give consideration to an inquiry into waiting lists in Northern Ireland. A document outlining the potential inquiry’s terms of reference is to be developed over the coming weeks.

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD is expected to announce today a further easing of restrictions as the Irish Government unveils its plans for June and July. Phased relaxations in all key sectors, particularly aviation and hospitality will be outlined. The next major review of NI’s restrictions will take place on Thursday 10 June.

  • The Assembly will sit on Tuesday next week. Question Time will take place for The Executive Office and the Communities Minister.

  • On Wednesday, the Infrastructure Committee will receive a briefing from Bus & Coach NI, while the Economy Committee will consider the Skills Strategy Consultation. The Executive Office Committee will receive oral briefings on the Urban Villages Strategy and consider a motion on Historical Institutional Abuse.

  • On Thursday, the Communities Committee will receive a briefing on the High Street Task Force.

  • On Monday, Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl will take office as Lord Mayor of Belfast and the DUP’s Graham Warke will become Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

  • Further Education NI, the representative body for all six of NI’s Further Education Colleges, will launch its ‘FE for Me’ Campaign virtually on Wednesday 2 June.

  • The launch of the new GB News channel will take place on Sunday 13 June.

Other Stories this week

  • The Budget 2021-22 was formally approved by the Assembly this week. According to Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP has said he intends to revert back to multi-year budgets from the next Spending Review.

  • The SDLP’s Sinéad Bradley MLA (South Down) has announced she will stand down ahead of the next Assembly Election. Potential replacements include former MLA Karen McKevitt and the party’s 2019 Westminster Election candidate for South Down Michael Savage.

  • Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA has told the Assembly she expects the first payments for the Victims’ Permanent Disablement Scheme to be made “within the current financial year”. The scheme is set to open for applications on 30 June.

  • Education Minister Peter Weir MLA has announced a £22 million funding package to assist schools with the implementation of the new special education needs (SEN) framework.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has said she has sought legal advice over the DUP’s boycott of some North-South Ministerial Council meetings.

  • Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has strongly signalled a July by-election for Dublin Bay South, speaking to the Dáil on Monday. According to the Irish Times, some sources in Fine Gael expect the contest to take place in early July.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 1 June, Belfast City Council Meeting

Consultations

Allstate recognised for world-class cybersecurity strategies

Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate NI Keith Lippert, Director of Identity and Access Management Dr Robert McCausland and Deputy CISO Analytics Team Manager Robert Chapple.

Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate NI Keith Lippert, Director of Identity and Access Management Dr Robert McCausland and Deputy CISO Analytics Team Manager Robert Chapple.

Allstate NI has joined the likes of Adobe, Visa, PayPal and Microsoft as an IDG CSO50 Award honouree, a global accolade that recognises 50 organisations every year for their cybersecurity strategies.

Allstate NI was selected as a CSO50 winner for Privileged Account Risk Reduction (PARR), a project carried out by the company’s large cybersecurity team that operates across Northern Ireland.

The recognition for delivering outstanding business value and thought leadership comes amid Northern Ireland’s emergence as one of the world’s most dynamic cybersecurity centers and hot spots for security service projects.

Piloted between 2019 and 2020, the innovative PARR project mitigated risk by identifying and reducing the number of privileged accounts with access to Allstate’s most critical assets.

As the industry standard on business security and risk leadership, CSO50 celebrates the security teams driving forward innovation and leveraging world-class security strategies.

Judged by a global committee of industry experts and academics, the body recognised the exceptional work of Allstate NI’s security team for ensuring assets are centrally managed and exposed to minimal risk.

Keith Lippert, Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate NI said:

“We are incredibly honoured to be recognised with this CSO50 Award. We strive to provide the best-in-class security solutions and cutting-edge technology to protect Allstate and its customers, and this project is a great example of that work.”

Amy Bennett, Executive Editor of CSO said:

“The disruptive events of 2020 – combined with sophisticated and far-reaching attacks like SolarWinds – brought new challenges and costs to organisations, their security leaders, and business outcomes. Our annual CSO50 Awards recognise security teams that bring innovation and thought leadership to solving the many risks their organisations continue to face.”

Byrne launches new solo film production venture

Brendan Byrne, Creative Director of Cyprus Avenue Films

Brendan Byrne, Creative Director of Cyprus Avenue Films

Brendan Byrne, producer of ‘Gaza’ and director of ‘Bobby Sands: 66 Days’, is to take forward his own production house, Cyprus Avenue Films to produce a new slate of feature documentary and drama projects.

Cyprus Avenue Films previously co-produced ‘Maze’, starring Tom Vaughan Lawlor and has several new co-productions with Fine Point Films which are about to be released. They include ‘My Name is Bulger’ about the family of infamous Irish American gangster James ‘Whitey” Bulger and ‘Ryan McMullan: Debut’, a portrait of the up-and-coming singer songwriter as he charts his path to international recognition.

After a number of successful years working with Fine Point Films, Byrne intends to concentrate on his own Cyprus Avenue Films to pursue more personal projects and rekindle his interests in drama and feature film.

Byrne’s role in the production of ‘Gaza’, a documentary that focused on the day-to-day life in the embattled 25-by-seven mile stretch of Mediterranean coastline, was Ireland’s official selection in the Best International Feature Film category of the 2020 Oscars, and the first Northern Irish produced documentary to get selected for the Sundance Film Festival.

New projects in the pipeline include ‘Children of Beirut’ from the same team which made ‘Gaza’, ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ based on John McGahern’s novel in co-production with South Wind Blows and a new feature documentary on world renowned Bafta-winning sound artist/recordist ‘Chris Watson: A Journey in Sound’ in co-production with Harvest Films.

Currently, Cyprus Avenue Films are co-producing ‘Murder in the Badlands’ with Fine Point Films for BBC NI, a factual series that will explore unresolved murder cases of women. The company is also developing high-profile projects with key American partners that will be announced in the coming months.

Brendan Byrne, Creative Director of Cyprus Avenue Films said:

“The last year has shown the power of film to educate, inform and help viewers forget their worries and societal problems. Whether it is online or on television, film has been an escape for us all over the previous months.”

“I am keen to create films that intrigue, inspire and draw the attention of local and international audiences. Films produced by Cyprus Avenue Films will continue to pursue my joint interests in documentary and drama with some of the best talent working in Ireland today.”

“No matter what genre or subject a great story is a great story. That will be my guiding light when developing new projects as Creative Director of Cyprus Avenue Films.”

Eversheds Sutherland Partner reacts to plans to change gambling laws in Northern Ireland

Eversheds Sutherland Partner Matthew Howse

Eversheds Sutherland Partner Matthew Howse

Reacting to the news that Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced plans to deliver the first significant changes to gambling laws here in over 35 years, Matthew Howse, Partner at international law firm Eversheds Sutherland in Belfast said:

“This 35-year-old legislation quite clearly is not reflective of today’s modern society and particularly the significant advances in technology. Even across the rest of the UK and Ireland which have substantially more progressive gambling legislation, there are growing calls for additional reforms. Legislation which is fit for purpose is especially long overdue here.”

“One of the standout findings from the recent public consultation was that 60 per cent of respondents supported allowing casinos in Northern Ireland. This undoubtedly marks a general shift in attitudes towards gambling here, as does the support for sports bookmakers and betting shops to open and operate on a Sunday. For years, those with an interest have been freely able to visit ‘online’ casinos despite not being able to visit one in person. This change, if enacted, could however, see the swift opening of the very first casino in Belfast or another location, with various perceived benefits to the wider economy.” 

“The sight of a casino in our towns and cities could come with stipulations, including a requirement for the industry to provide support for those struggling with addiction. 97 per cent of respondents to the public consultation wanted to see contributions towards ‘funding research, education and treatment’ from those companies who would benefit from the law changes. Although, it is worth noting that across the UK, it is commonplace for operators to agree to such caveats in return for a licence.”

“This potential legislative reform provides a real opportunity to maintain a sustainable and successful regulated gambling market in Northern Ireland which minimises gambling related harm.”

BioNTech founders to speak among 50 other tech leaders at EmTech Europe conference

Dr. Ugur Sahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci, the husband-and-wife team behind BioNTech.

Dr. Ugur Sahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci, the husband-and-wife team behind BioNTech.

Taking “Forging a Brighter Future” as its theme in this year, MIT Technology Review’s flagship conference ‘EmTech Europe’ will bring 50 of Europe’s brightest and best technology leaders, researchers, and innovators together to discuss how technology can create an intelligent, healthy and sustainable future at its core.

Playing a crucial role in addressing the pandemic in the last year with their breakthrough messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, the founders of BioNTech will headline this year’s EmTech Europe virtual conference in Belfast on 1 July.

Dr. Ugur Sahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci, the husband-and-wife team behind BioNTech, developed the mRNA-based vaccine technology that delivered the first COVID-19 vaccine with completed phase 3 trial when the pandemic hit.

Dr Sahin initiated and led “Project Lightspeed”, the historic development program of the first mRNA-based vaccine for COVID-19, moving from lab and clinical testing to conditional authorisations within an unprecedented 11-month period. He also leads BioNTech’s research and development of individualized cancer immunotherapies.

Dr Türeci played a crucial role in the clinical development of “Project Lightspeed” and helped lead the development of mRNA-based vaccines and cancer antigens as well as immunotherapies which are currently in clinical development.

The globally-renowned scientists’ opening keynote will address the conference theme ‘Forging a Brighter Future’ and spell out their motivation and vision for expanding the use of mRNA technology to address other diseases in the future.

Drs Sahin and Türeci will address day one of the conference which takes place virtually from Belfast on 1-2 July. They join a line up of some of Europe’s most brilliant tech minds across the fields of sustainability, health and artificial intelligence.

Nico Crepaldi, Head of Custom Content at MIT Technology Review said:

“Attendees of EmTech Europe 2021 will get to hear from 50 leading speakers who are driving the next generation of technological advances. With talks ranging from the first timber skyscraper in Europe to biomedicine and mRNA vaccines, as well as spotlights from past winners of our Innovators Under 35 competition, EmTech Europe 2021 will showcase innovative solutions addressing major global issues.”

Connla McCann, Director of EmTech Europe said:

“Through EmTech Europe, Belfast can showcase the progress it has made from a city associated with conflict and division to a city focused on forging a new path of peace and reconciliation underpinned by an inclusive knowledge economy.”

Lead Curator of EmTech Europe, Tom Gray said:

“We are thrilled to have the BioNTech founders join our dynamic list of speakers for EmTech Europe this July. A clear leader in individually tailored therapies, BioNTech’s addition will only serve to enhance the programme as we prepare to highlight the practitioners, and thought leaders, at the forefront of ground-breaking technological advancements.”

“EmTech Europe 2021 will spark new ideas and business opportunities around the innovative trends with the most power to influence the post-pandemic world. Examining the areas of health, sustainability and intelligence, the two-day programme is shaping up to be a must-attend event for technological leaders seeking to rebuild economies and societies.”

EmTech Europe is supported by Belfast City Council and Invest NI and will take place virtually in July 2021 before returning to Belfast in 2022 and 2023.

NILGA calls for deeper review of local government after giving evidence to Assembly's Infrastructure Committee on planning issues

Councillor Steven Corr (Belfast City Council), Chair of NILGA’s Place-shaping and Infrastructure Policy and Learning Network

Councillor Steven Corr (Belfast City Council), Chair of NILGA’s Place-shaping and Infrastructure Policy and Learning Network

Speaking following briefing members of the NI Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee on the Review of the Planning Act, Councillor Steven Corr (Belfast City Council) and Chair of NILGA’s Place-shaping and Infrastructure Policy and Learning Network said:

“We appreciated the opportunity to brief members of the Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee this morning. While we welcome the planning review, we would have liked it to go further in addressing some of the issues faced by our member councils.  Local government has faced some criticism of what was a new, untested planning system that commenced in 2015 and we hope this review will address at least some of the issues that have emerged over time.

“Councils and elected members continue to be frustrated by the fragmentation of place-shaping functions here, with responsibility for regeneration, public transport, local roads, housing, green spaces and rivers all sitting in different areas within government. In many other jurisdictions these functions and services sit within local government which allows for a more integrated locally-focused place-shaping approach.  This reluctance to deliver wider place-shaping at a local level has, to some degree, created unnecessary delays, causing frustration and criticisms of our planning system.

“NILGA would welcome a much wider review of local government reform, encompassing planning, to achieve what were the initial aims of the Review of Public Administration. This would help to provide a proper suite of place-shaping powers in our councils, to improve the partnership work between the Department and local government and to realise local government as the local leaders and service delivery bodies they could be, and in fact, are elsewhere.”

Time to get kids swimming again and build a vital life skill, says social enterprise GLL

Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Frank McCoubrey and Head of Service at GLL Jacqui Pope celebrate the launch of GLL’s Swim School

Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Frank McCoubrey and Head of Service at GLL Jacqui Pope celebrate the launch of GLL’s Swim School

Social enterprise GLL has welcomed the resumption of swimming lessons and indoor group training as another layer of lockdown eases in Northern Ireland.

GLL estimates that up to 158,000 opportunities to learn to swim were missed at the city’s Swim School last year due to lockdown.

The organisation says that getting people back to swimming lessons and other physical activities will be a huge challenge but an important one that will help address growing rates of obesity and poor physical and mental health.

The largest social enterprise operating leisure facilities in the UK, GLL says a further challenge now lies in equipping children, young people and adults with a crucial life skill, particularly as we head into the summer months and families flock to coastal areas.

GLL will reopen its popular Swim School at six of its 15 leisure centres in the city today, in line with Executive guidance.

The social enterprise will also resume indoor fitness classes and tennis lessons, reopen 3G pitches for wider use and launch a range of new aqua facilities at Andersonstown Leisure Centre.

The Belfast leisure operator was joined by Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Frank McCoubrey as it prepares to step up indoor leisure provisions across the city.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Frank McCoubrey, said:

“Today’s resumption of indoor group exercise is a significant step forward in our reopening, and one we know many individuals have been waiting for. The pandemic has been a challenging time for all of our citizens, not least for children and young people who have greatly missed the extra-curricular activities that fill their week. It is great to see services resuming across the city and the return of fitness classes and swimming lessons which are so vital for people’s health and wellbeing and their enjoyment of the first-class facilities our city has to offer.”

Head of Service at GLL Jacqui Pope said:

“While we are thrilled to see our service offering widened today, we are anxious to resume swimming lessons and begin tackling the huge backlog that awaits. Swimming is an essential life skill with the potential to save lives. We know that around 400 people a year lose their life to drowning so lessons encourage individuals to be comfortable and confident in the water and it is brilliant to see them back again as we head towards the summer months.”

“We also know that physical exercise is a lot more than solo training in the gym, it is a chance to interact with others and blow off steam in an uplifting and motivating environment. The return of group sessions indoors is key to this and a welcome step forward as we leave lockdown behind and strive to rebuild and revitalise public health.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 24 May 2021

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Forward Look

  • DUP Leader Designate Edwin Poots MLA is expected to announce his new ministerial team next week. Reports suggest Mervyn Storey MLA, Paul Givan MLA, Paul Frew MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA and new Deputy Leader Paula Bradley MLA are in line for top positions. A reshuffle of Committee and Policing Board positions is anticipated.

  • A host of relaxations to the Covid-19 regulations will take effect on Monday 24 May, including the reopening of indoor hospitality and tourist accommodation. Indoor group exercise can also resume, the stay local message will be removed, wedding receptions permitted and indoor visits in domestic settings for six people from no more than two households also allowed.

  • Outgoing First Minister Arlene Foster MLA will stand aside as DUP Leader on Friday 28 May, though will remain in her ministerial position until the end of June. The DUP’s ruling Executive will meet on Thursday to ratify Edwin Poots as leader.

  • The Ulster Unionist Party Council will meet on Thursday to formally ratify the election of Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie as party leader.

  • An external competition to appoint a new Department of Finance Permanent Secretary will launch in early June. Interviews and testing will take place throughout the summer, according to Finance Committee Clerk Peter McCallion.

  • Danske Bank UK Chief Executive in Northern Ireland Kevin Kingston is to retire later this year. He will be replaced by current Deputy CEO Vicky Davies who will become the first female CEO in the bank’s 200-year history, subject to regulatory approval.

  • The Department of Finance Innovation Lab Report on increasing social value in public procurement will be presented to the Procurement Board on Wednesday 9 June. If approved, Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA intends to present it to the Executive “at the earliest opportunity”.

  • A motion on Restrictive Intervention and Seclusion of Children and Young People with Additional Support needs will be debated in the Assembly on Monday.

  • The First Stage of the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill to introduce an entitlement of two weeks’ paid leave following the loss of a child or stillbirth will take place on Tuesday. The Second Stage is scheduled for Monday 7 June.

  • Question Time will take place for the Infrastructure and Justice Ministers on Monday. The Agriculture Minister will take questions on Tuesday.

  • The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) will brief the Infrastructure Committee on a Review of the Planning Act on Wednesday, while the Economy Committee will receive a briefing from Department officials on a Review of Level 4 and 5 provision in HE and FE. The Executive Office will hear from Junior Ministers Declan Kearney MLA and Gordon Lyons MLA on Brexit.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA will brief the DAERA Committee on the withdrawal of staff from Ports on Thursday, while the Health Committee will continue taking evidence on the Health and Social Care Bill with briefings from NILGA, Community Pharmacy NI, the British Association of Social Workers NI and the British Dental Association.

  • The All Party Group on Mental Health will also meet on Wednesday.

  • The Northern Ireland Office has given consent to UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt to press ahead with a Private Members’ Bill to introduce libel reforms that will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom. NI had previously been excluded from the Defamation Act 2013.

  • The next major review of Covid-19 regulations will take place on Thursday 10 June. First Minister Arlene Foster MLA told the Assembly this week that the data continues to move in a “generally positive direction”.

 Other Stories this week

  • UK Brexit Minister Lord Frost and Vice President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic have been invited to address Stormont’s Executive Office Committee on the impact of Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • Sinn Fein Councillor Cathy Mason (Newry, Mourne and Down District) has been chosen over Emma Rogan MLA as the South Down candidate for next year’s Assembly Election. The move follows a period of restructuring in Foyle, where the Irish News is reporting that Fiachra McGuinness, Conor Heaney, Maeve McLaughlin and the party leader on Derry City and Strabane District Council Sandra Duffy are the leading contenders to run in place of outgoing MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan.

  • The Derry News is reporting that local campaigner Lilian Seenoi-Barr may be selected by the SDLP to replace Councillor Mary Durkan, who stood down from her position this week.

  • Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has signalled a July by-election in Dublin Bay South, as parties ramp up campaign preparations to replace outgoing Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has launched his Department’s three-decade roadmap, setting out plans to 2050 with a focus on health, sustainability, rural communities and growth and diversity in the agri-food sector. View the plan: LINK.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has established a Culture, Arts & Heritage Recovery Taskforce made up of 25 members to support the sector in the wake of the pandemic.

  • Education Minister Peter Weir MLA has set out plans for a return to exams in the next academic year, including significant reductions in assessments across a range of CCEA qualifications.

  • First Minister Arlene Foster MLA has indicated that the High Street Task Force will exist for an initial five-year period, with a performance review due early in the next Assembly mandate. Four subgroups have been established on influencing policy and strategy; promoting the development of capacity; developing and promoting good practice; and influencing and shaping intervention and investment.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has launched a Call for Evidence to inform a new Strategy on increasing housing supply. Closing on 16 July, a full public consultation will follow later this year. For more information: LINK. A series of online workshops will also run throughout the consultation. Details: LINK.

  • Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín has introduced a bill in the Dáil that would allow Northern Ireland MPs to have speaking rights in the Oireachtas.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has appointed Ken Nelson as Chair of Northern Regional College. The four-year appointment takes effect from 1 July 2021.

  • Belfast Live has appointed Sarah Scott as Deputy Editor.

  • Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade is recruiting for the role of Chief Executive Officer. Applications close on Friday 28 May.

  • The Covid-19 vaccination programme surpassed one million first doses this week. Those aged 25 to 29 are now eligible to book their jab.

  • Innovation City Belfast, a partnership of six key institutions in the city, has announced plans to put innovation at the heart of post-pandemic recovery. Priorities include a major Innovation District to grow SMEs, an Innovation Investment Service for outside investors, a city-centre focused ‘Smart District’ and a Smart Port using 5G connectivity and digital technology.

 Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Hospitality Ulster welcomes rubber stamping of the reopening of indoor hospitality from next Monday

Colin Neill, CEO, Hospitality Ulster

Colin Neill, CEO, Hospitality Ulster

“We welcome confirmation by the Executive that indoor hospitality can reopen from Monday. This has been a difficult and draining period for everyone within the hospitality industry and today’s announcement will bring hope to businesses, with people getting back to work and livelihoods restored for many across the sector.”

“Acknowledgement and thanks must be paid to the Executive for their financial support and those civil servants who have worked to ensure that hospitality is able to reopen after this awful period.”

“As we now look towards Monday’s reopening, the health and wellbeing of customers, staff and the wider public will be the priority for all the hospitality sector business owners. I know that our members have stringent Covid secure processes in place so that customers can enjoy the hospitality offer once again.”

“However, this is not ‘job done’ - with extensive restrictions still in place, many businesses will still struggle to break even, let alone make a profit. It is vital that we see these restrictions removed as soon as possible and engagement from the Executive as we begin the long road of rebuilding what was Northern Ireland’s fourth largest private sector employer, pre-Covid.”

“Scientific data such as ONS official statistics show Northern Ireland has lower infection rates compared to Scotland and England.  With the Covid risk level low, attention now must turn to the reopening of music venues and event spaces at an accelerated rate, bringing back musicians and fans to enjoy concerts, gigs and pub performances that have been missed over the past fourteen months. These venues and musicians have waited long enough for action to be taken. Immediate focus is required on the programme for their reopening and the resumption of our famed music scene.”

“I would also appeal to customers to play their part and observe the Covid regulations, especially providing their contact details as a key element in the work to control the spread of Covid. With table service and other restrictions still required, our staff will be walking miles with smiles  -  but please be patient as the existing regulations increase their workload.”