Menu
09/05/2014
'Skills Hub' Initiative Launches
A new initiative to encourages employers to share skills, offer work experience opportunities has been announced by Minister for Employment and Learning Dr Stephen Farry.
The first ‘Skills Hub’ initiative seeks to enable employers to facilitate the secondment of highly skilled members of staff to other organisations and SMEs in the surrounding area. The project encourages employers to share skills, offer work experience opportunities, and practical ideas that will assist capacity issues, improve staff development and retention, allowing more efficient deployment of people and skills. The launch follows a successful pilot in Ballymena.
The Minister said: "I welcome this private sector led collaborative initiative and am pleased that the first ever launch has taken place in Northern Ireland. I therefore applaud the local companies, and the Northern Regional College, for getting involved and providing the funding to launch this scheme.
"This initiative will help to retain and develop our highly valuable skilled workers. This is better for both local companies and individuals, as staff can be placed into meaningful alternative work, instead of facing unemployment. I look forward to seeing how this develops.
The Hub is being funded by Dunbia, Harland & Wolff, JTI, Michelin, Moy Park, Northern Regional College, Ulster Bank and Wright Bus, allowing smaller SMEs and others to benefit from the skills exchange free of charge. Four regional online Hubs will focus on the North East, North West, South East and South West, which will be centred in Belfast, Craigavon, Derry and Ballymena.
Skill Exchange NI is the brainchild of Skill Exchange UK which is now aiming to roll out similar hubs across the rest of the UK. Further information is available at the Skills Exchange website
Philip Flaxton, Chief Executive of Skill Exchange, said: "Skill Exchange NI, which we now plan to replicate throughout the UK, provides a regional strategy which allows the entire employer community an extended umbrella under which to access opportunities without location barriers."
Robert Cooper, Harland and Wolff Chief Executive Officer, said: "Employers stand to benefit from a wide range of activities through Skills Exchange NI, such as knowledge sharing, skill development and retention, role placement, work experience, resource sharing, training and business mentoring. It is a win-win for both employer and employee."
The first ‘Skills Hub’ initiative seeks to enable employers to facilitate the secondment of highly skilled members of staff to other organisations and SMEs in the surrounding area. The project encourages employers to share skills, offer work experience opportunities, and practical ideas that will assist capacity issues, improve staff development and retention, allowing more efficient deployment of people and skills. The launch follows a successful pilot in Ballymena.
The Minister said: "I welcome this private sector led collaborative initiative and am pleased that the first ever launch has taken place in Northern Ireland. I therefore applaud the local companies, and the Northern Regional College, for getting involved and providing the funding to launch this scheme.
"This initiative will help to retain and develop our highly valuable skilled workers. This is better for both local companies and individuals, as staff can be placed into meaningful alternative work, instead of facing unemployment. I look forward to seeing how this develops.
The Hub is being funded by Dunbia, Harland & Wolff, JTI, Michelin, Moy Park, Northern Regional College, Ulster Bank and Wright Bus, allowing smaller SMEs and others to benefit from the skills exchange free of charge. Four regional online Hubs will focus on the North East, North West, South East and South West, which will be centred in Belfast, Craigavon, Derry and Ballymena.
Skill Exchange NI is the brainchild of Skill Exchange UK which is now aiming to roll out similar hubs across the rest of the UK. Further information is available at the Skills Exchange website
Philip Flaxton, Chief Executive of Skill Exchange, said: "Skill Exchange NI, which we now plan to replicate throughout the UK, provides a regional strategy which allows the entire employer community an extended umbrella under which to access opportunities without location barriers."
Robert Cooper, Harland and Wolff Chief Executive Officer, said: "Employers stand to benefit from a wide range of activities through Skills Exchange NI, such as knowledge sharing, skill development and retention, role placement, work experience, resource sharing, training and business mentoring. It is a win-win for both employer and employee."
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 March 2016
Employer Skills Survey Results Published
The results of the 2015 Employer Skills Survey, managed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), have been published by Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry. Minister Farry launched the report at an meeting of business, education and training representatives in Belfast Metropolitan College's Titanic Quarter Campus.
Employer Skills Survey Results Published
The results of the 2015 Employer Skills Survey, managed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), have been published by Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry. Minister Farry launched the report at an meeting of business, education and training representatives in Belfast Metropolitan College's Titanic Quarter Campus.
08 April 2002
Basic Skills Committee praised by Minister
Minister for Employment and Learning, Carmel Hanna has given the seal of approval to the work of the Basic Skills Committee, set up in 1999 to oversee a programme of work addressing the educational needs of adults.
Basic Skills Committee praised by Minister
Minister for Employment and Learning, Carmel Hanna has given the seal of approval to the work of the Basic Skills Committee, set up in 1999 to oversee a programme of work addressing the educational needs of adults.
26 May 2011
Skills Strategy To 'Transform Futures' Says Farry
There needs to be a greater emphasis on skills training if Northern Ireland is to have the workforce necessary to help the economy grow in the future.
Skills Strategy To 'Transform Futures' Says Farry
There needs to be a greater emphasis on skills training if Northern Ireland is to have the workforce necessary to help the economy grow in the future.
26 September 2003
The New Sector Skills Council For Construction
Charles Clarke, the Secretary for State for Education, has given the green light to the new sector skills council for the construction industry. Known as ConstructionSkills, the new SSC will comprise CITBGB in partnership with CITBNI (Northern Ireland) and CIC (Construction Industry Council).
The New Sector Skills Council For Construction
Charles Clarke, the Secretary for State for Education, has given the green light to the new sector skills council for the construction industry. Known as ConstructionSkills, the new SSC will comprise CITBGB in partnership with CITBNI (Northern Ireland) and CIC (Construction Industry Council).
11 April 2002
Skills shortages and high salary demands hold back SMEs
SME employers can't find the right staff and face difficulty in finding appropriately trained, skilled and experienced people who are prepared to work for realistic and affordable salary packages, according to new research.
Skills shortages and high salary demands hold back SMEs
SME employers can't find the right staff and face difficulty in finding appropriately trained, skilled and experienced people who are prepared to work for realistic and affordable salary packages, according to new research.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
