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29/11/2024
£350,000 Boost For SME Productivity
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a new £350,000 initiative to boost productivity and skills in small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
The SME Productivity Booster aims to help over 70 businesses across Northern Ireland by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
Increasing productivity is one of the Minister's key priorities for the Northern Ireland economy.
Speaking after a visit to Southern Regional College's Newry Campus, the Minister said: "According to recent research, output per worker in the north of Ireland is 11% lower than in Britain and almost 40% lower than in the south of Ireland.
"The SME Productivity Booster, which represents an investment of £350,000 by my Department as part of the wider Skills Fund, seeks to address this gap by providing targeted upskilling to SMEs operating in key economic areas such as fintech, healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
"The Department has already delivered two successful pilots of this initiative and I would encourage SMEs to visit nibusinessinfo to find out how they can benefit from this funded support."
Mel Higgins, Principal and CEO of Northern Regional College and chair of the Further Education Principals' Group, said: "As Chair of the Further Education Principals' Group, I am pleased to see the launch of this initiative which will further strengthen ties between the further education sector and local employers whilst increasing productivity levels across the region. Upskilling the workforce through our local college networks is key to unlocking the potential in businesses and paving the way for economic growth."
James O'Neill, Head of Sales at Portadown company Rathbanna Ltd, which availed of support from SRC during the pilot phase, added:
"The support we accessed from SRC through this programme was invaluable, enabling us to establish a business improvement team that identified inefficiencies and implemented new strategies to enhance productivity and reduce waste."
The SME Productivity Booster programme is delivered in partnership with the six further education colleges across Northern Ireland. Companies begin with an initial productivity 'health check', which identifies key areas in which staff will be trained such as leadership, business improvement and lean processes. A productivity roadmap is then developed to help SMEs implement plans to increase productivity levels within their business.
The SME Productivity Booster aims to help over 70 businesses across Northern Ireland by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
Increasing productivity is one of the Minister's key priorities for the Northern Ireland economy.
Speaking after a visit to Southern Regional College's Newry Campus, the Minister said: "According to recent research, output per worker in the north of Ireland is 11% lower than in Britain and almost 40% lower than in the south of Ireland.
"The SME Productivity Booster, which represents an investment of £350,000 by my Department as part of the wider Skills Fund, seeks to address this gap by providing targeted upskilling to SMEs operating in key economic areas such as fintech, healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
"The Department has already delivered two successful pilots of this initiative and I would encourage SMEs to visit nibusinessinfo to find out how they can benefit from this funded support."
James O'Neill, Head of Sales at Portadown company Rathbanna Ltd, which availed of support from SRC during the pilot phase, added:
"The support we accessed from SRC through this programme was invaluable, enabling us to establish a business improvement team that identified inefficiencies and implemented new strategies to enhance productivity and reduce waste."
The SME Productivity Booster programme is delivered in partnership with the six further education colleges across Northern Ireland. Companies begin with an initial productivity 'health check', which identifies key areas in which staff will be trained such as leadership, business improvement and lean processes. A productivity roadmap is then developed to help SMEs implement plans to increase productivity levels within their business.
Latest Northern Ireland News
29 November 2024
New Pharmacy First Service To Ease Winter Pressures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of a new 'Pharmacy First for Sore Throat' service, which will be available in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland from 1 December 2024. The service will offer advice, assessment, and treatment for people aged five and over who are suffering from a sore throat.
New Pharmacy First Service To Ease Winter Pressures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of a new 'Pharmacy First for Sore Throat' service, which will be available in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland from 1 December 2024. The service will offer advice, assessment, and treatment for people aged five and over who are suffering from a sore throat.
29 November 2024
£1.2m Fund To Support Pre-School Children With SEN
Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a £1.2 million fund to support pre-school children with special educational needs (SEN). The pilot fund will provide financial support to pre-school settings that have at least one child undergoing a statutory assessment of their educational needs.
£1.2m Fund To Support Pre-School Children With SEN
Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a £1.2 million fund to support pre-school children with special educational needs (SEN). The pilot fund will provide financial support to pre-school settings that have at least one child undergoing a statutory assessment of their educational needs.
29 November 2024
Justice Minister Aims To Improve Victims And Witnesses Services
The Justice Minister, Naomi Long, has announced proposals to improve the experience of services for victims and witnesses of crime. The Minister has launched a public consultation, seeking the views of the public as it develops its Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill.
Justice Minister Aims To Improve Victims And Witnesses Services
The Justice Minister, Naomi Long, has announced proposals to improve the experience of services for victims and witnesses of crime. The Minister has launched a public consultation, seeking the views of the public as it develops its Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill.
29 November 2024
Appeal Following Arson Attack In Ballymena
Police are investigating an arson attack in Ballymena in the early hours of Friday morning. Officers were called to reports of a fire in the Dunclug Park area at around 2.45am. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but a carport, two cars, and several tools were extensively damaged. A third car was also damaged.
Appeal Following Arson Attack In Ballymena
Police are investigating an arson attack in Ballymena in the early hours of Friday morning. Officers were called to reports of a fire in the Dunclug Park area at around 2.45am. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but a carport, two cars, and several tools were extensively damaged. A third car was also damaged.
29 November 2024
£350,000 Boost For SME Productivity
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a new £350,000 initiative to boost productivity and skills in small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). The SME Productivity Booster aims to help over 70 businesses across Northern Ireland by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
£350,000 Boost For SME Productivity
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a new £350,000 initiative to boost productivity and skills in small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). The SME Productivity Booster aims to help over 70 businesses across Northern Ireland by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
29 November 2024
Three More Arrested After Police Pursuit And Ramming In Kilrea
Police have arrested five men in connection with a dangerous incident in Kilrea on the afternoon of Wednesday, 27 November. Officers were called to reports of a disturbance at a shop on Mill Road, where a vehicle was used to ram the building. A woman was also assaulted during the incident.
Three More Arrested After Police Pursuit And Ramming In Kilrea
Police have arrested five men in connection with a dangerous incident in Kilrea on the afternoon of Wednesday, 27 November. Officers were called to reports of a disturbance at a shop on Mill Road, where a vehicle was used to ram the building. A woman was also assaulted during the incident.
29 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Man Arrested After Shooting Incident In Crumlin Police in Crumlin have arrested a 58-year-old man in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Thursday, November 28th. The incident took place at a residential property in the Randox Road area around 5:30 PM.
Other News In Brief
Man Arrested After Shooting Incident In Crumlin Police in Crumlin have arrested a 58-year-old man in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Thursday, November 28th. The incident took place at a residential property in the Randox Road area around 5:30 PM.
28 November 2024
Pharmacies Offer Winter Health Advice
Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are offering advice and support to help people stay healthy during the winter months. The Living Well initiative, delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency, Community Pharmacy NI, and the Department of Health, provides information and advice on public health issues.
Pharmacies Offer Winter Health Advice
Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are offering advice and support to help people stay healthy during the winter months. The Living Well initiative, delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency, Community Pharmacy NI, and the Department of Health, provides information and advice on public health issues.
28 November 2024
Former Headmaster Jailed For Child Sexual Abuse
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of an 89-year-old Belfast man for a significant number of non-recent sexual abuse offences. At Laganside Crown Court, Paul Dunleavy was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, to start in May 2026 at the conclusion of his current sentence.
Former Headmaster Jailed For Child Sexual Abuse
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of an 89-year-old Belfast man for a significant number of non-recent sexual abuse offences. At Laganside Crown Court, Paul Dunleavy was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, to start in May 2026 at the conclusion of his current sentence.
28 November 2024
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
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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.
