Latest Accelerate Digital Skills Academy Open For Applications

The Department for the Economy has announced that applications are now open for the latest Version 1 Accelerate Digital Skills Academy.

The Digital Skills Academies will provide 20 successful applicants with up to eight weeks of industry-relevant pre-employment training at Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC). Participants who successfully complete the training are guaranteed a job interview with Version 1.

Commenting on the Academy, Graeme Wilkinson, Director of Skills Strategy at the Department for the Economy said: "This latest Assured Skills Academy with Version 1 and Belfast Met, will provide those who have the necessary qualifications and willingness to learn new skills with a valuable pathway into IT solutions and consulting sector.

"Participants will have the opportunity to understand how technology can help businesses and will receive cutting edge training to empower them to make a difference to customers by sharing that knowledge to develop their core business skills. They will also receive a weekly training allowance of £155 per week and travel expenses and may be eligible for child care allowance."

Mr Wilkinson continued: "As we move into a decade of economic transformation around the Department’s 10X Economic Vision, strengthening our local skills base and investing in skills is essential to grow our economy. The Assured Skills model of providing pre-employment training in partnership with employers and further and higher education providers has proven to be a successful model for creating a pipeline of skilled people for expanding local businesses."

Lorna McAdoo, Director of Operations Version 1 NI, said: "This is our fourth Assured Skills Academy following on from the hugely successful Academies this year. These Assured Skills Academies will continue to run over the next two years and represent our ongoing commitment to Northern Ireland and our ambition to be one of the most successful IT companies here. Investment in local tech who can help our customers accelerate their digital transformation is paramount to this ambition."

Louise Warde Hunter, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, commented: "Belfast Met is delighted to be working in partnership with the Department for the Economy and Version 1 again to deliver this next in our series of Digital Skills Academies and we look forward to welcoming the latest cohort of learners. Investment in future skills is essential. Participants will receive the most up-to-date, industry-relevant training in this growing sector, enabling Academy graduates to kick start their careers in high quality, well paid jobs."

Applications for the fourth Version 1 Accelerate Digital Skills Academy are open until 9 December and training will commence on 13 February 2023.

No previous experience is required but applicants must: Be at least 18 years old; Be eligible to work in the UK; Hold a Level 5 qualification (HND or Foundation Degree) such as a HND in a relevant STEM subject or at least a 2:2 in any degree discipline.

Views Sought On New Belfast Draft Economic Strategy

Belfast City Council has launched a new public consultation seeking input on a new draft Economic Strategy for the city.

The consultation will last for eight weeks with people encouraged to share their feedback via Council's online consultation platform www.belfastcity.gov.uk/yoursay.

The draft Economic Strategy sets out a roadmap for the growth and development of Belfast's economy up until 2030, outlining a series of actions to accelerate growth for local communities.

The overall aim of the strategy is to realise the ambitions of Belfast's economic potential and position the city as a key driver for growth for the entire region.

Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Ryan Murphy said he hoped residents and businesses would take the opportunity to have their say on the draft proposals for the city's economic future and ambitions.

Councillor Murphy said: "Delivering inclusive and sustainable growth is crucial to helping us achieve all the outcomes set out within the Belfast Agenda, the city's community plan and key strategic document. Our draft Economic Strategy sets out a range of actions which have been identified to help deliver on our ambitions for the city.

"This draft strategy is about defining our priorities for growth and re-focusing on our strengths. It will also focus on investing in priority technologies, improving opportunities for upskilling at all educational levels, building employment pathways and attracting skilled workers to support the city's growth.

"The strategy lays out an action plan with short term and long-term solutions to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth. We will deliver these actions by continuing to build upon the city-wide partnerships developed through the community planning commitments and we will continue to engage with public and private stakeholders, local communities and academics to build an integrated delivery model."

The consultation is open until 9 January 2023.

Results of the consultation will be compiled to progress the Economic Strategy and action plan which will guide the development of Belfast's economy from 2022-2030.

SF To Call On Chancellor To Cut Profits Of Energy Giants

Small businesses need support with rising bills and said an Executive is needed now to help support them, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said.

The party's economy spokesperson is writing to the British Chancellor today making it clear that there must be a Windfall Tax to cut the profits of energy giants.

Caoimhe Archibald said: "Our businesses are struggling to pay their bills as costs continue to rise and the price of keeping the heat and lights on remains unaffordable.

"The British government needs to step up and cut costs for businesses by reducing taxes on fuel and slashing VAT on energy bills, and also reinstating the reduced rate of VAT for our bars, restaurants and other businesses that had it during the pandemic.

"I will be writing to the British Chancellor to make it clear that he must put a Windfall Tax on energy giants who are walking away with eye-watering profits on the back of ripping people off with energy prices and crippling our small, family-run businesses in the process.

"He must also ensure that energy companies are now reducing their tariffs in line with the energy scheme brought in last month so that businesses start to see their bills going down.

"Our businesses need an Executive up and running and ministers in place making decisions to help protect jobs and keep the shutters up.

"Earlier this year, Conor Murphy as finance minister guaranteed a rates holiday of least one month for businesses and has begun preparations for how an incoming Executive could support people with their rates.

"Sinn Féin wants to form an Executive to support workers, families and businesses through the cost living and doing businesses crisis. The DUP should end its cruel boycott and work the rest of us to make a difference."