Further Education Colleges join skills revolution as Northern Ireland receives world class skills boost

Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, Brian Doran, Belfast Metropolitan College Events Management student Laura Norris, Deputy Secretary Skills and Education for the Department for the Economy, Heather Cousins, Belfast Metropolitan College Events Management student Juliana Roche, and Chief Executive of World Skills UK, Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann.

Northern Ireland is to get a world-class skills boost thanks to a revolutionary scheme aimed at attracting inward investment and generating economic growth.

The Centre of Excellence from WorldSkills UK, in association with NCFE, is the brainchild of Belfast-born Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, a former Deputy Director General of the CBI.

Unique insights and expertise, gathered during decades of competing against and now collaborating with, world-class skills organisations in countries such as Japan, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan, are to be cascaded to six Northern Ireland colleges to bring substantial benefits to learners.

The six colleges are among the leading FE institutions across the UK which have been selected to join the skills revolution by becoming part of WorldSkills UK’s Centre of Excellence.

More than 40,000 young people, from all socio-economic groups, are being armed with world-class skills in the pioneering project.

The three-year pilot project, which began last September, is already impacting more than 20 educational institutions and nearly 1,000 educators across the UK. The programme will see educators across the province receive exclusive training with over 60 hours of intensive Continual Personal Development.

The programme covers three strands: train the trainer modules; real time harnessing of international industry best practice through current preparation for WorldSkills Shanghai 2022; and influencing setters of training standards.

Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, CEO of WorldSkills UK, who was born and bred in Belfast said:

“This is great news for Northern Ireland. In order to deliver the world class skills that employers demand to be internationally competitive, we need to invest in the educators that are training young people for the future. The Centre of Excellence is going through the gears. The initiative has proved to be hugely oversubscribed – and we are working tirelessly to help as many young women and men as possible.

“We are mainstreaming excellence in training standards and delivering it directly to tens of thousands of young students and apprentices at their places of learning which is key to boosting the economy by attracting inward investment and creating high quality jobs – and that is what we are delivering for the benefit of all. This new phase of the project means that we are now impacting young people the length and breadth of the UK – in all four UK home nations.

“World Skills UK are uniquely placed to undertake such a project - utilising over 65 years of international benchmarking experience, having mentored and trained thousands of young people to world-class standards, in dozens of technical disciplines and tested in elite international competition.”

Brian Doran, Chief Executive and Principal of Southern Regional College said:

“The six regional Colleges of Further Education are delighted to have been chosen to participate in the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence initiative. Through the curriculum HUBs that exists within the FE College network we aim to use this initiative to raise standards in technical education and training at all levels across all Colleges. By tapping into the expertise that already exists within the team of WorldSkills UK high performance coaches and using best practice from across the globe, we are building a more inclusive and higher skilled workforce that can support more young people to achieve high standards and work skills that meet employer needs, especially in growth sectors.

“Northern Ireland Colleges have a long and proud history of competing in WorldSkills UK competitions and currently have 9 participants in the UK squad preparing for the WorldSkills Competition to be held in Shanghai in the summer of 2022. We look forward to building on this success through the new Centre of Excellence initiative, increasing our participation in skills competitions in priority sectors and giving more students the opportunity to enhance their skills while also delivering more world-class outcomes across the UK skills systems.”

Belfast-based plastic-free beauty brand ‘We Are Paradoxx’ sets sights on further international growth and expansion

Judith Totten, Managing Director, Upstream Working Capital and Nigel Birney, Head of Trade Credit, Lockton with Yolanda Cooper, Founder and Chief Executive, We Are Paradoxx.

We Are Paradoxx, a Belfast-based sustainable, plastic-free hair and body care brand, has secured new funding to expand its export capability into new markets in the US, Canada, Russia, Australia and the Middle East. 

The Northern Irish start-up, founded in 2018 by Yolanda Cooper, has developed a hair and bodycare range which is plastic-free, uses natural and organic vegan ingredients and is cruelty-free. The company has also developed the patent pending Supernova, the world’s first 3-in-1 straightener, wand and tong.

Described by leading media as a ‘brand you can’t live without’, this summer CEO Cooper joined the ranks of the industry heavy hitters, listed in fashion and beauty bible Glamour Magazine’s Beauty Power List 2021, for her leadership in sustainable beauty. 

We Are Paradoxx has been successful in raising investment up to this point, hitting £3m earlier this year through various funding rounds. This latest funding, provided by local financiers and Northern Ireland’s largest independent provider of working capital, Upstream Working Capital, will enable the beauty company to expand into new markets and further its growth internationally. 

The finance has been underpinned by credit insurance arranged through the new trade credit insurance team at Lockton, the world’s largest privately owned insurance broker and Northern Ireland’s leading business and commercial insurance broker, which partnered with insurer Atradius.

Yolanda Cooper, Founder and Chief Executive, We Are Paradoxx, said:

“This latest funding is a significant step for We Are Paradoxx and will help us gain a foothold in large international markets. As a company, we are dedicated to innovation and sustainability.”

Yolanda Cooper, Founder and Chief Executive, We Are Paradoxx

“Access to working capital like this is vital as we seek to innovate, develop, and enhance our product lines. We have a clear vision for the company and how we aim to go from the start-up phase to the scale-up phase and access to capital is absolutely crucial in this vision.”

“Having a trade credit insurance policy in place also gives us greater confidence as we enter new foreign markets and expand our international trading. We are excited for the future and working with Upstream and Lockton gives us a real boost as we keep expanding and innovating.”

Judith Totten, Managing Director, Upstream Working Capital, added:

“Upstream Working Capital is proud to be working with We Are Paradoxx, a locally-based start-up which is truly innovating and doing things differently in its field. Coming out of the pandemic, it is the companies and entrepreneurs taking these leaps of faith, and those who seek new markets and customers, that will spearhead our economic rebuild. Companies like We Are Paradoxx need access to working capital to break into new markets and find new customers beyond our own shores. We are pleased to provide both supply chain funding and Invoice Finance to support the working capital needs of We are Paradoxx. It is both a pleasure and a privilege to work closely with Yolanda and her team as they embark on this important journey.”

Nigel Birney, Head of Trade Credit, Lockton with Andrew McBurney, Commercial Manager, Atradius

Nigel Birney, Head of Trade Credit, Lockton, said:

“It’s excellent to see Northern Irish companies and start-ups like We Are Paradoxx, who we are thrilled to partner with, expanding into new export markets. The pandemic has been extremely tough for entrepreneurs and young companies so it is positive to see businesses have the courage to look towards new markets. As well as providing access to working capital, having credit insurance in place will enable We Are Paradoxx to access critical market intelligence through their policy provider Atradius, which will enable them to trade with confidence in new export markets around the world and grow sales safely knowing that should one of their customers default in payment their financial loss will be almost nullified. 

Andrew McBurney, Commercial Manager, Atradius, added:

“Through our partners Lockton, we are pleased to be working closely with We Are Paradoxx as the company expands into new markets and trades with new customers. We are confident that our trade credit insurance will significantly bolster We Are Paradoxx’s trading capacity and resources and protect the company as they step into new markets both by paying out claims in the event of non-payment but also by providing access to real-time intelligence on new markets and individual buyers, creating opportunities for growth.”

Better gets Belfast active this National Fitness Day

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl joins Better Gym Belfast General Manager Jamie Cromie to take the Belfast Fitness Challenge.

A programme of free fitness assessments and gym memberships has launched at Better leisure centres across Belfast in a bid to get the city moving this National Fitness Day.

The initiative entitles members of the public to a fitness test and score, personalised workout plan and free month-long membership to be used across the 14 Better leisure centres in the city.

A state-of-the-art concept in fitness management, FitQuest provides an easy-to-understand measure of key metrics such as BMI (Body Mass Index), hydration levels and muscle percentage which will be mailed directly to the participant’s private inbox.

Individuals are encouraged to visit one of the four FitQuest kiosks at Andersonstown, Lisnasharragh, Better Gym Belfast and Olympia Leisure Centres for the confidential assessment.

Whether the recommendations be weight loss, muscle strength or cardiovascular fitness, a team of professional fitness instructors will provide a tailored workout plan and free four-week membership to allow them to build on their results.

Participants can then return for a further FitQuest test to track their progress and kickstart their journey to a healthier, more active lifestyle.

GLL, which runs the centres, hopes the initiative will empower the people of Belfast to improve their health and happiness through physical activity. A charitable social enterprise that exists to promote better health, it will welcome 500 individuals via the limited scheme. The first 100 places will be reserved for health service staff to encourage a focus on personal physical and mental health.

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl visited Better Gym Belfast to take the inaugural fitness test. The £15,000 initiative is supported by Belfast City Council through the Leisure Transformation Programme.

Speaking following her FitQuest challenge at Better Gym Belfast, Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl said:

“Improving the health and wellbeing of our citizens lies at the heart of Belfast City Council’s £105m Leisure Transformation Programme. With 14 leisure centres across the city, including brand new state-of-the-art gyms and swimming pools at Lisnasharragh and Andersonstown, Belfast is not without the resources or capacity to boost public health through physical activity.”

“While we envisage a city where people are active and committed to living a healthy lifestyle, a lot must be done to make this a way of life for everyone, particularly those living on the lowest incomes. The FitQuest initiative is an investment in this vision and I hope that it will help kickstart many people’s journeys towards more active and healthier lifestyles.”

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl takes the Belfast Fitness Challenge

Regional Director of GLL Gareth Kirk said:

“We at Better exist to make communities happier and healthier through the provision of inclusive, accessible and affordable leisure services. As a charitable social enterprise, we are thrilled to be offering free fitness assessments and citywide memberships as local people continue to battle the physical and emotional hangover of the global pandemic. There are no limits to the benefits of living an active lifestyle and we look forward to seeing hundreds of individuals come through our doors and begin their journey to a better lifestyle.”

Visit www.better.org.uk/get-fitter-belfast to sign up for the Belfast fitness challenge.

High profile Brexit health check conference set to take place on Friday

Dr Anthony Soares, Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies

The renowned Centre for Cross Border Studies will host its highly anticipated 22nd Annual Conference virtually this Friday.

The Conference will address the overarching theme; “Testing the health of conditions for post-Brexit cooperation: The evolving political and social contexts”. Key decision and policy-makers and leading civil society representatives from across the island of Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, and America will delve into the social and political implications for post-Brexit society.

Speakers at this year’s Conference include:

• Director of Public Policy at the Institute of Public Health Ireland, Dr Helen McAvoy.

• Assistant Professor at the Trinity Centre for Global Health, Ann Nolan.

• Director of the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies, Professor Pete Shirlow.

• Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon MLA.

• Permanent Secretary of the Northern Ireland Office, Madeleine Alessandri.

• US Consul General to Northern Ireland, Paul Narain.

Across three panels, speakers will explore pertinent issues in cross border infrastructure and healthcare. The first of which will address the evolving political context of Brexit, the second panel will discuss the social context of Brexit, and a third panel will measure the cross-border impacts of healthy cooperation across a range of sectors, part of a larger piece of work supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund.

Sponsorship opportunities for the Centre are also available, providing a range of benefits for organisations and individuals to enhance their own research and work.

Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, Dr Anthony Soares said:

“The Annual Conference is an opportunity for policy-makers and decision-makers to discuss ideas and address pertinent issues on the island of Ireland, the UK, and the EU.

“Part of the process of influencing change involves discussion and debate on significant issues, such as healthcare, infrastructure, and education. At the Centre for Cross Border Studies, we encourage our stakeholders to discuss these issues and use their different outlooks to generate solutions.

“The Centre offers great opportunities for those looking to get involved in a wider conversation about the key issues impacting this region. We encourage anyone interested in taking part in this conversation to attend our Annual Conference to gain a deeper understanding of how the Centre facilitates these important discussions.” 

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 20 September 2021

Forward Look

• Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP has reshuffled his Cabinet. Conor Burns MP has been appointed Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office, replacing Robin Walker MP who takes up the role of Schools Minister. Former Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab MP has been demoted to Justice Secretary and been replaced by Liz Truss. Former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has been sacked and is replaced by Nadhim Zahawi.

• NI Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey MLA has outlined a new category of business called ‘Member’s Statements’, that will be scheduled at the beginning of Plenary on a weekly basis for a maximum of thirty minutes. This allows Members to make a statement to the Assembly on a topical matter of public interest.

• Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has announced the High Street Voucher Scheme will be open for applications on 27 September. The scheme will close on 30 November and pre-paid cards will cease to be valid.

• Sinn Féin is set to table a Bill that would see Ireland’s lobbying regulations tightened following the Katherine Zappone controversy. The Bill will see the “cooling off period”, that restricts people who have served in Government from engaging in lobbying, extended to two years.

• SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has called on the Prime Minister to fast track legislation through the House of Commons to stop an immediate assembly election if devolution collapses.

• The Department of Health has confirmed the Covid-19 vaccination programme will be extended to 12-15 year olds in Northern Ireland and those aged over 50 and healthcare staff will be offered booster jabs.

• Education Minister Michelle McIlveen MLA has announced special schools will receive £800,000 for investment in outdoor play and learning support.

• DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has told the House of Lords he would like Northern Ireland to move towards a system of being governed by voluntary coalition as opposed to the current system of mandatory coalition to improve political decision making.

• Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has launched a £5m fund to retain skills in the creative sector and support freelancers. The fund will provide a grant of £2,000 to those eligible in the creative sector.

• On Monday, the Communities Minister and the Economy Minister will take part in Question Time. On Tuesday, the Education Minister will face questions.

• On Wednesday, the Committee for Infrastructure will hold a Committee Inquiry on the Decarbonisation of Road Transport in Northern Ireland. The Economy Committee will receive a briefing from the NI Human Rights Commission on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill. The Executive Office Committee will receive a written briefing on the UK Approach to the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol and the Finance Committee will hear evidence on the LCM Pension Reform from departmental officials and public sector unions.

• On Thursday, the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs will receive Oral Evidence from the Environmental Justice Network and Professor Kevin O’Connor on the Climate Change No. 1 Bill. The Health Committee will consider the clauses of the Health and Social Care Bill. The Communities Committee will receive briefings on the Charities Bill and the Justice Committee will hold informal deliberations on the Damages (Return on Investment Bill).

• The Centre for Cross Border Studies will host its Annual Conference on Friday. Register here: LINK.

Other Stories this week

• A FinTech NI report showed that Northern Ireland could benefit from over £25m in new Foreign Direct Investment, the setup of over 20 new companies, and the creation of thousands of jobs in three years. Read the report here: LINK.

• The Defamation Bill, sponsored by UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt, has passed its Second Stage by an Oral Bill. The Bill will now go to Committee Stage.

• Queen’s University Belfast’s Senate is seeking to appoint a number of new co-opted lay members to act as charity trustees, commencing in 2022.

• A report produced by the Pivotal think tank for Belfast Chamber found that Northern Ireland councils have a narrow range of powers compared to other models of local governance within the UK. It concluded that localised decision-making can act as a catalyst for innovation and economic regeneration. Read the report here: LINK.

• Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has said the Party will not publish the completed internal review into its operations in Derry.

• Belfast Harbour has announced the appointment of three new directors to its leadership team.

• Mobile vaccination centres have been set up across the six Further Education Colleges and universities campus sites to encourage young people to get the Covid-19 vaccine, as part of the Department of Health’s ‘Jabbathon’ initiative.

• DUP Councillors Kathryn Owen and Glyn Hanna have returned to the Party after quitting amid bullying claims.

Upcoming key political and business events

• 24 September, Annual Conference, Centre for Cross Border Studies

• 25 – 29 September, Labour Party Annual Conference

• 29 September, Women as Legal Changemakers, QUB School of Law

• 29 September, Options for Fiscal Devolution in Northern Ireland, Nevin Economic Research Institute

• 1 October, CIPR NI Public Affairs 101

• 3 – 6 October, Conservative Party Conference

• 6 October, CIPR PRide Awards

• 6 – 7 October, NICON 2021, NI Confederation for Health and Social Care

• 8 October, Londonderry Chamber 63rd Annual President's Dinner, Everglades Hotel

• 8 – 9 October, Party Conference, Ulster Unionist Party

• 18 October, Annual General Meeting, CIPR NI

• 22 October, 2021 Business Awards, Belfast Chamber of Commerce

• 11 November, 2021 North West Annual Energy Conference, Londonderry Chamber

Consultations

• Consultation on the Point of Care Manufacturing Department of Health. Deadline 23 September 2021.

• Consultation for the Introduction of Standard Legal Aid Fees Department of Justice. Deadline 24 September 2021.

• Consultation on Phase 2 of the Belfast Rapid Transit Project (BRT2) Department for Infrastructure. Deadline 4 October 2021.

• Consultation on Proposals to mandate Changing Places Toilet provision in Building Regulations Department of Finance. Deadline 20 October 2021.

• Consultation on the Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland 2021-2031 Department of Health. Deadline 20 October 2021.

• Consultation on Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (Amendment) Regulations 2021 Department of Justice. Deadline 5 November 2021.

Reinventing the workplace - blended working in action, by Eversheds Sutherland Partner Lisa Bryson

As originally appeared in the Irish News, 14 September

Eversheds Sutherland Partner Lisa Bryson

As we approach the autumn, minds will inevitably turn to the final quarter of 2021 and many will begin thinking about next year. For businesses, planning a return to the office will be front and centre of their considerations. With over 85% of the population vaccinated in Northern Ireland and fewer restrictions than at any other time during the pandemic, life is moving towards some semblance of normality.

Covid has changed the face of the workplace, thrusting home and remote working on millions of us. While not perfect for every employee, home working has been a blessing for many, offering a more equal work/life balance, helping with responsibilities like childcare, and saving money on petrol or commuting costs. It’s hardly surprising, therefore, that over half of workers want to be able to retain the right to work from home after the pandemic, according to a recent YouGov poll.

However, this comes with challenges for employers to navigate. Hybrid or blended working is one popular approach which seeks to balance employee desire to retain home working with the employer’s need to have workers in the office, even part-time.  Our firm has recently announced a trial of blended working across our UK offices while other large Belfast-based companies like FinTrU and PwC have announced they will not be mandating a return to the office for all staff.

While still very much a moving picture, employers should consider some key aspects before they make any firm decisions. On the HR side, issues like productivity, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, and colleague collaboration and networking will naturally drive employers to want to bring staff back to the office. These are issues which can be affected by employees being at home full-time or not in the office as frequently and which can hold back both employees and employers. They must be carefully considered to keep your team motivated, productive, and delivering.

On the other hand, legal issues are much more delicate and must be handled expertly to avoid problems in the longer term for your organisation. Many employees have reported increased working hours at home, finding it difficult to switch off and manage an adequate work/life balance. Measuring working time and potentially unpaid overtime may present challenges for employers and they should take steps to address this. There are also issues like monitoring mental and physical health of your employees, wellbeing, and domestic abuse which may make home working an unsuitable environment for some employees and thus should be accommodated accordingly.

A one size fits all approach is not the ideal and employees and their representatives should be part of the conversation about what the return to the workplace looks like for historically office based staff.  Working with your staff and coming to an agreed solution, like hybrid or blended working, may be the best way forward for many companies and it seems likely to be an important factor in attracting and retaining talent as we start to put the last 18 months behind us.

Key Dates of High Street Voucher Scheme announced

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has announced the key dates for the launch of the High Street Voucher Scheme:

• September 27 – The online portal for applications open.

• October 4 – The first tranche of cards will be issued to successful applicants.

• October 11 – Telephone support service opens.

• October 25 – The last qualifying date for those turning 18 to register for the pre-paid card. Portal and telephone services close.

• November 30 – Scheme closes and pre-paid cards will cease to be valid.

The £100 pre-paid card can be used at any ‘brick-and-mortar’ retail outlet in Northern Ireland and cannot be used online. The verification process for using the card will operate in three stages, using the Electoral Register, the DVLA databases, and National Insurance numbers. People must register online, and a telephone support service will be available for those unable to access the online portal.

New industry-led strategy sets out roadmap for Northern Ireland Fintech sector to retain and enhance world leading status

Andrew Jenkins, FinTech NI and HMT Appointed FinTech Envoy for NI; Karen Bradbury, Sector Lead for Financial and Professional Services at Invest NI; Roisin Finnegan, NI FinTech Lead at Deloitte and Alex Lee, Chairman of FinTech NI.

A new report published today by FinTechNI, the representative body of the globally renowned Fintech sector here, has stated that Northern Ireland could set to benefit from over £25 million in new Foreign Direct Investment; the setup of over 20 new companies; and the creation of thousands of jobs in just three years.

The ambitious roadmap developed by Fintech experts at leading advisory firm, Deloitte, commissioned by Fintech NI, is the first time such an in-depth report has been created by the industry here.

The Fintech cluster, now estimated to be worth a significant £392million per year to the NI economy, identifies factors in this success to include - geographical advantage; talent, skills and education; a supportive and collaborative community and expertise in cyber security, AI, data analytics and RegTech - positioning Northern Ireland as a leading international hub.

The strategic roadmap states that to supercharge the Fintech sector here, several key areas need to be worked on, such as:

·        Supporting Fintech SMEs in making greater connections with investors, FDI companies and financial services institutions;

·        Addressing barriers to Skills and Talent to encourage younger people to get involved and take up jobs in the sector;

·        Helping to develop the funding networks for successful young Fintech companies to scale up, securing long-term funding options and identifying opportunities to attract international financial investment.

The publication of the roadmap comes soon after the HM Treasury backed Strategic Review of UK FinTech conducted earlier this year by industry expert Ron Kalifa OBE, which named Northern Ireland as one of the leading emerging clusters for Fintech in the UK. FintechNI has said that the outcome of the review presented a major opportunity for Northern Ireland to build on its burgeoning reputation.

Alex Lee, Chair of FintechNI, the industry association which commissioned today's report said:

“Northern Ireland is regarded as a world leader in the Fintech sector and often ranks highly in lists of the best places in the world to locate Fintech companies. We have shown time and again that we can attract foreign direct investment, have a strong talent pool and the right attitude towards the nurturing of fintech companies.”

“However, we recognise that we can't stand still and must challenge the barriers to growth and push our unique selling points to remain globally competitive. This three-year road map being published today outlines the key areas we must focus on to continue to build a collaborative community, leverage the knowledge and the expertise the existing financial and digital sectors and connect that with business support and funding to transform the sector for the benefit of the Northern Irish economy.”

“The potential to create thousands of jobs, attract tens of millions of pounds in foreign direct investment and to assist companies to set up, or scale up, in Northern Ireland is right in front of us and we should not limit our ambition for a sector that has shown such resilience and growth in difficult times.”

He added:

“A vast amount of work has gone into the development of this pathway in association with Deloitte and I would like to commend and thank those individuals, groups and businesses who have invested their time and resource in providing us with their experiences; ideas; and vision for the development of the sector. The feedback and input from over 50 people from the industry, professional services, academia and funders is greatly valued and appreciated.”

Ron Kalifa OBE, Chair of the Strategic Review of UK FinTech said:

“I am thrilled to see a three-year FinTech Strategy launch in Northern Ireland, a region that presents a tremendous opportunity for the sector to create jobs and further international trade by promoting innovation across financial services. This strategy is entirely consistent with the broader review of UK FinTech launched in February and I am delighted that FinTech NI is progressing the regional agenda through this piece of work.”

Kent Mackenzie, FinTech Leader at Deloitte said:

 “Northern Ireland already has and is developing a number of the components required to become a credible and truly impactful fintech hub.  This report outlines a roadmap that is ambitious, focused, and draws together all the strengths the region has in order to stand its ground on the global fintech stage.”

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive at Belfast City Council said:

“This report comes at the right time. The emergence from the pandemic and the need to reinvigorate and reshape the local economy, coupled with the vision of this dedicated roadmap is fortuitous.”

“In the last 18 months the world became hugely reliant on financial technology and the sector showed that it was resilient and able to meet that challenge. For Northern Ireland to already be ear marked as an outlier in this industry and one of the most advantageous places to set up and develop a Fintech company is a significant accolade.”

“As region and city deals are developed out, emphasis is placed on innovation hubs and growing business clusters. As the government reshapes its programme for government and consults on strategies on skills and the economy, this pathway developed by the sector itself will over the next three years contribute heavily to further investment and job creation and much needed economic prosperity.”

NI Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey MLA announces 'Members' Statements'

Speaker of the NI Assembly, Alex Maskey MLA has written to all 90 MLAs to outline a new category of business, called ‘Members’ Statements’, that will be scheduled at the beginning of Plenary, occurring on a weekly basis.

• Members’ Statements are aimed at providing greater opportunity for Members to make a statement to the Assembly on a topical matter of public interest.

• The scheduling of Members’ Statements will be a matter for the Business Committee. The Committee on Procedures has said it expects the Business Committee to schedule Members' Statements usually on a weekly basis.

• A maximum period of 30 minutes is expected to be available for Members’ Statements.

• With the volume of legislation for the Assembly to consider before the end of the mandate, there will be occasions when the Business Committee agree that it is not appropriate for Members’ Statements to be scheduled.

• A statement may, for example, be used as an opportunity to draw attention to a matter within a Member’s constituency, mark an achievement, or highlight a topical concern about public services. It may relate to local, national or international matters.

• The Assembly has agreed that a statement must not: exceed three minutes in duration; relate to a matter scheduled for debate in the Assembly; address a question that has already been decided by the Assembly within the previous 6 months; or be used to impugn or to attack another member.

• Members’ Statements are not intended to replace Matter of the Day which concerns matters of “exceptional public interest” and “relate to a matter which directly affects the people of Northern Ireland”.

Further Education Colleges getting the jab done as doors open to Jabbathon

Mobile vaccination centres are to begin vaccinating students as they are set up across the six Further Education Colleges in a further push to encourage young people to get protected against Covid-19.

Working in partnership with the Public Health Agency and local health trusts, College leaders are encouraging those students who have yet to receive the vaccine to do so at one of the vaccine clinics on campus.

The vaccine pop-ups, which begin today, are also open for anyone aged 16 and above who are not enrolled at their local Further Education College but would like to avail of the jab.

The Department of Health’s ‘Jabbathon’ initiative, will see 60 pop-up clinics open across 30 Further Education and university campus sites across Northern Ireland, and is the latest step in the vaccine push for those aged between 16-29.

Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College said:

“It is fantastic to welcome the pop-up vaccination clinics to our college campuses and bring the vaccine right to our students, giving them convenient access to this service as they attend their lectures, seminars and classes.”

Karen Moore, Lead of the Covid Champions Group for the six Further Education Colleges said:

“From the beginning of September, significant work has been undertaken across the College estates to make the necessary changes to ensure the safe return to campus. We have been working with our student population to remind learners that face masks and social distancing are still required on college grounds, as per the PHA guidelines. We are also encouraging students to use Lateral Flow Tests as an extra precaution. Over the next weeks, staff will be onsite to provide students with advice and information about the vaccine and how to remain Covid safe while on campus.

“We have been working in partnership with the PHA and local health trusts to ensure students have the best access to the vaccine and the ‘Jabathon’, with over 20 Further Education sites available, means students will not have far to go to get jabbed as the new academic year begins. We are very pleased to be playing our part in the Covid-19 fight back and look forward to welcoming our health colleagues onto our campuses to help get the jab done.”