One of Newry Chamber’s core strategic pillars is centred on bringing the local business community and education and training providers together to develop a locally focused strategy to help tackle the region’s skills and recruitment challenges. This Forum is the first step in that process.
This important event was attended by over 100 people and aimed at starting a conversation between businesses/employers and education and training providers in the Greater Newry Area around how we meet the challenges of an increasingly difficult recruitment market.
Those in attendance heard two informative presentations from Keynote Speakers, Dr Eoin Magennis, Principal Economist, Ulster University Economic Policy Centre and Kathleen O’Hare OBE, Chair of the Northern Ireland Skills Council. Eoin and Kathleen discussed tackling the Workforce Challenges in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area, looking at the current and future labour markets and how we develop skills here to meet the short, medium and long-term needs of business and industry.
There were also three panel discussions on the day which provided a platform to our young people, education and training providers and businesses and employers. The event was wrapped up with an interactive feedback session which will help shape a comprehensive recruitment and skills strategy and this will be framed at a major conference in Autumn 2024.
1. Newry Chamber Recruitment and Skills Forum.
Guests attending the Newry Chamber Recruitment and Skills Forum. Photo: Submitted
2. Newry Chamber Recruitment and Skills Forum.
The BBC's John Campbell with guests. Photo: Submitted
3. Newry Chamber Recruitment and Skills Forum.
Guests attending the Newry Chamber Recruitment and Skills Forum. Photo: Submitted
4. Newry Chamber Recruitment and Skills Forum.
Pictured at the Newry Chamber Recruitment and Skills Forum. Photo: Submitted