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26/07/2022
Other News In Brief
Apprentice Firefighters Join Airport Fire Service
Four apprentice firefighters have passed a significant milestone in George Best Belfast City Airport's 'High Flyers Apprenticeship' programme to secure full time employment within the Airport's fire service.
Conor Finch, Damien Wisdom, Jack Leathem, and Cole McClelland land dream roles as operational firefighters at the UK and Ireland's most convenient airport after excelling through the first phases of a rigorous training process.
The young men, who beat off stiff competition from over 200 applicants to secure places on the coveted High Flyers programme, have completed qualifications in advanced medical casualty care, confined spaces, and hose deployment, and will continue their development programme to gain qualifications in LGV advanced driving of major foam appliances, hose working at heights, and water rescue – an element unique to Belfast City Airport.
Following a graduation ceremony attended by proud family and friends, where the apprentices displayed their new skills with live firefighting demonstrations, all four will now operationally join a watch within the airport as competent aviation firefighters.
Appreciating the unique opportunity provided to him by Belfast City Airport, Damien Wisdom from west Belfast said: "A firefighter is one of those jobs you dream of as a young boy but opportunities to get on the career ladder are few and far between so when I came across the airport's High Flyers Apprenticeship programme, I jumped at the chance."
Jack Leathem, from Carrickfergus, reiterated Damien's sentiment: "To get the chance to train as an aviation firefighter is a privilege but to then land employment with an organisation like Belfast City Airport is unbelievable so I'm incredibly thankful to the team there for the opportunity, the training, and the welcome they've given me and the other boys."
Reflecting on the training programme, west Belfast native Conor said it has been "challenging but worthwhile" with Lisburn resident Cole emphasising that, thanks to the help from Belfast City Airport, he "will be able to help others in the future which is the most rewarding part" and is "looking forward to the next stages of the training programme".
Now in its ninth year, Belfast City Airport's High Flyers Apprenticeship programme has had a 100% success rate so far in graduating young people in Northern Ireland from apprentices to full time employment.
Speaking proudly of the airport's investment in young people, Seamus MacMahon, Chief Fire Officer at Belfast City Airport, said: "Supporting and developing young people is something we are incredibly passionate about here at Belfast City Airport and it's an honour for us to be able to transfer our skills to the next generation and give them a chance to kick-start long and valuable careers in aviation firefighting.
"The hard work and determination these four apprentices have shown throughout their training programme to date has been second to none and we are incredibly proud of them for reaching this significant milestone.
"Conor, Damien, Jack, and Cole all possess the confidence and key traits of a successful firefighter. We are delighted to have them join our team at the airport in their new roles and look forward to working with them as they progress through the next stages of their training programme."
Prisoner Ombudsman Appointment Extended For Additional 18 Months
The appointment of the current Prisoner Ombudsman, Dr Lesley Carroll, has been extended for an additional 18 months, Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced.
Making the announcement, Minister Long said: "After taking account of a range of factors, including the work required to bring the role of Prisoner Ombudsman on to a statutory footing, I decided to offer an extension to the term as Prisoner Ombudsman. I am grateful to Dr Carroll for agreeing to commit to a further eighteen months in this important role."
The term will be extended from 31 August 2022 to 29th February 2024.
The Prisoner Ombudsman post is four days per week and attracts a fixed remuneration of £62,713 per annum (pro-rata.)
Belfast City Council To Host Series Of Entrepreneurial Workshops
Belfast City Council has announced a new series of workshops to provide tips to entrepreneurs on setting goals, speaking up and bouncing back
The 'Breaking Boundaries' workshops are designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools needed for their future business and self-employment paths. Each session will be led by Ciaran May, who is a speaker and performance coach to some of Northern Ireland's most successful athletes. There will also be a guest speaker at each workshop.
At the workshops, you will learn about: confidence building; instilling resilience; goal setting and achieving; dealing with fear and self-doubt; your next entrepreneurial steps.
For a place at one of these workshops, you will need to be a Belfast resident with a business idea, about to start a business or have been in business and trading for less than six months.
Workshop details
There are three workshop dates available, you should apply to attend only one of these sessions:
• Friday 29 July 2022, 09:45 to 14:30 - Girdwood Community Hub
• Friday 19 August 2022, 09:45 to 14:30 - Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre
• Friday 9 September 2022, 09:45 to 14:30 (or 16:30) - Andersonstown Leisure Centre
Attendees at the final workshop in Andersonstown Leisure Centre will be able to put their 'Boundary Breaking' learning into action by taking on the Surf Simulator and Drop Slide.
Four apprentice firefighters have passed a significant milestone in George Best Belfast City Airport's 'High Flyers Apprenticeship' programme to secure full time employment within the Airport's fire service.
Conor Finch, Damien Wisdom, Jack Leathem, and Cole McClelland land dream roles as operational firefighters at the UK and Ireland's most convenient airport after excelling through the first phases of a rigorous training process.
The young men, who beat off stiff competition from over 200 applicants to secure places on the coveted High Flyers programme, have completed qualifications in advanced medical casualty care, confined spaces, and hose deployment, and will continue their development programme to gain qualifications in LGV advanced driving of major foam appliances, hose working at heights, and water rescue – an element unique to Belfast City Airport.
Following a graduation ceremony attended by proud family and friends, where the apprentices displayed their new skills with live firefighting demonstrations, all four will now operationally join a watch within the airport as competent aviation firefighters.
Appreciating the unique opportunity provided to him by Belfast City Airport, Damien Wisdom from west Belfast said: "A firefighter is one of those jobs you dream of as a young boy but opportunities to get on the career ladder are few and far between so when I came across the airport's High Flyers Apprenticeship programme, I jumped at the chance."
Jack Leathem, from Carrickfergus, reiterated Damien's sentiment: "To get the chance to train as an aviation firefighter is a privilege but to then land employment with an organisation like Belfast City Airport is unbelievable so I'm incredibly thankful to the team there for the opportunity, the training, and the welcome they've given me and the other boys."
Reflecting on the training programme, west Belfast native Conor said it has been "challenging but worthwhile" with Lisburn resident Cole emphasising that, thanks to the help from Belfast City Airport, he "will be able to help others in the future which is the most rewarding part" and is "looking forward to the next stages of the training programme".
Now in its ninth year, Belfast City Airport's High Flyers Apprenticeship programme has had a 100% success rate so far in graduating young people in Northern Ireland from apprentices to full time employment.
Speaking proudly of the airport's investment in young people, Seamus MacMahon, Chief Fire Officer at Belfast City Airport, said: "Supporting and developing young people is something we are incredibly passionate about here at Belfast City Airport and it's an honour for us to be able to transfer our skills to the next generation and give them a chance to kick-start long and valuable careers in aviation firefighting.
"The hard work and determination these four apprentices have shown throughout their training programme to date has been second to none and we are incredibly proud of them for reaching this significant milestone.
"Conor, Damien, Jack, and Cole all possess the confidence and key traits of a successful firefighter. We are delighted to have them join our team at the airport in their new roles and look forward to working with them as they progress through the next stages of their training programme."
Prisoner Ombudsman Appointment Extended For Additional 18 Months
The appointment of the current Prisoner Ombudsman, Dr Lesley Carroll, has been extended for an additional 18 months, Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced.
Making the announcement, Minister Long said: "After taking account of a range of factors, including the work required to bring the role of Prisoner Ombudsman on to a statutory footing, I decided to offer an extension to the term as Prisoner Ombudsman. I am grateful to Dr Carroll for agreeing to commit to a further eighteen months in this important role."
The term will be extended from 31 August 2022 to 29th February 2024.
The Prisoner Ombudsman post is four days per week and attracts a fixed remuneration of £62,713 per annum (pro-rata.)
Belfast City Council To Host Series Of Entrepreneurial Workshops
Belfast City Council has announced a new series of workshops to provide tips to entrepreneurs on setting goals, speaking up and bouncing back
The 'Breaking Boundaries' workshops are designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools needed for their future business and self-employment paths. Each session will be led by Ciaran May, who is a speaker and performance coach to some of Northern Ireland's most successful athletes. There will also be a guest speaker at each workshop.
At the workshops, you will learn about: confidence building; instilling resilience; goal setting and achieving; dealing with fear and self-doubt; your next entrepreneurial steps.
For a place at one of these workshops, you will need to be a Belfast resident with a business idea, about to start a business or have been in business and trading for less than six months.
Workshop details
There are three workshop dates available, you should apply to attend only one of these sessions:
• Friday 29 July 2022, 09:45 to 14:30 - Girdwood Community Hub
• Friday 19 August 2022, 09:45 to 14:30 - Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre
• Friday 9 September 2022, 09:45 to 14:30 (or 16:30) - Andersonstown Leisure Centre
Attendees at the final workshop in Andersonstown Leisure Centre will be able to put their 'Boundary Breaking' learning into action by taking on the Surf Simulator and Drop Slide.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 April 2011
City Airport's Holiday Routes Opposed
Seven new routes to holiday destinations in continental Europe are to operate from George Best Belfast City Airport - thanks to boosted aircraft engines. Bmibaby will run services to Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Faro, Ibiza, Amsterdam and Geneva.
City Airport's Holiday Routes Opposed
Seven new routes to holiday destinations in continental Europe are to operate from George Best Belfast City Airport - thanks to boosted aircraft engines. Bmibaby will run services to Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Faro, Ibiza, Amsterdam and Geneva.
06 February 2003
bmi to concentrate services at Belfast City
bmi has announced that it is to discontinue its Heathrow service from Belfast International Airport (BIA) and concentrate resources in Belfast City Airport. However, bmi will maintain a presence at BAI as bmibaby will be including Belfast International as a destination to be served from a new UK base to be announced shortly.
bmi to concentrate services at Belfast City
bmi has announced that it is to discontinue its Heathrow service from Belfast International Airport (BIA) and concentrate resources in Belfast City Airport. However, bmi will maintain a presence at BAI as bmibaby will be including Belfast International as a destination to be served from a new UK base to be announced shortly.
05 October 2001
British Midland step in to serve Heathrow
British Midland has announced that the airline will fly to London Heathrow from both Belfast City Airport and from Belfast International Airport.
British Midland step in to serve Heathrow
British Midland has announced that the airline will fly to London Heathrow from both Belfast City Airport and from Belfast International Airport.
15 May 2023
City Airport Named More Punctual Airport In NI
The George Best Belfast City Airport has been named Northern Ireland's most punctual airport in 2022, by the Civil Aviation Authority. The data analyses arriving and departing scheduled and chartered flights, with figures for 2022 showing that Belfast City Airport matched in its rankings with partner airports East Midlands and Exeter.
City Airport Named More Punctual Airport In NI
The George Best Belfast City Airport has been named Northern Ireland's most punctual airport in 2022, by the Civil Aviation Authority. The data analyses arriving and departing scheduled and chartered flights, with figures for 2022 showing that Belfast City Airport matched in its rankings with partner airports East Midlands and Exeter.
04 July 2024
Belfast City Airport Launch New 'Fly Through' Campaign
Belfast City Airport has unveiled a new campaign to highlight its position as the "fly through" airport.
Belfast City Airport Launch New 'Fly Through' Campaign
Belfast City Airport has unveiled a new campaign to highlight its position as the "fly through" airport.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
