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Council's Business Services Academy's first graduates

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Date: 20 Dec 2021


Belfast City Hall

Thirteen people on the council’s first Business Services Academy are taking the next step in their future career path, following three weeks of intensive training at Belfast Met.

The Business Services Academy is delivered by Belfast Met in partnership with the Belfast Works consortium.

It is targeted at helping local residents secure employment in the city’s professional and business services sector.

Participants on the programme develop skills in IT, communications, team working, employability and more.

The academy is linked to active recruitment/roles available through the supporting recruitment agencies’  Kennedy Recruitment and Premiere People NI that participate in the programme delivery, and, assist participants with queries related to current jobs available.

The training includes hearing from speakers working with employers and recruitment agency partners in the construction, retail, HR and hospitality industries. Participants also hear from other business professionals and employers who give guidance on moving into employment including careers advice, advice on how interview panels work, time management, effective communication, team work and professionalism in the workplace.

Aidan Sloane, Director of Development and Digital at Belfast Met, said, “Belfast Met is delighted to be delivering the training for this new Business Skills Academy and would like to congratulate our first cohort of learners who have completed this bespoke training in Business Skills.

“Our learners receive the most up-to-date, industry-relevant training in this growing sector and we provide programme participants with vital opportunities to gain employment after completing their course. The College looks forward to continuing this valuable partnership with Belfast City Council that will support people to reskill and upskill to gain employment in jobs that are in demand by employers.”

Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of the council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “The response to the council’s first Business Services Academy has been really positive. This is the first in a series that we plan to roll out next year. I want to congratulate the participants on completion of their training and wish them every success in securing future employment in the city’s professional and business services sector.”

Following the success of the first Business Services Academy, a second is now planned to start on Monday 17 January. This is an opportunity for local residents, who are not in work or working less than they want, to pursue a career within the business services industry. Support will be available for travel and childcare.

Interested applicants should email an expression of interest to belfastworks@gemsni.org.uk

The Business Academy is one of a number of  employment academies run by council offering tailored training to help residents secure jobs and help businesses with their recruitment. The academies are short, intensive training programmes.

Find out more about the academies at https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/employmentacademies

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