Kieran and Anna, both SkillSET Employment Officers, recently attend the NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference at The Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle. The conference focused on meeting Newry, Mourne and Down's workforce challenges. This is the second of two complimentary district-wide major conferences delivered over a 12-month period.

Following, the first highly successful conference held in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry last October Kieran and Anna were excited to engage on issues surrounding recruitment and skills shortages. These shortages are one of the biggest challenges facing the local business community across the district and it is one of the Chamber's three core strategic pillars. The presentations, panel discussions and interactive roundtable discussions focused on continuing to build upon the wide range of feedback garnered from businesses, education and training providers, and policymakers. It also centred on the work that has been completed over the precluding twelve month period which has developed bespoke solutions to the workforce challenges. 

The full line-up of expert speakers for this complementary district-wide full day conference was diverse and hosted by, Broadcaster & Journalist, Mark Simpson. Newry Chamber offered buses for businesses located in the Greater Newry Area which underlined the sustainable nature of the event. In it's entirety the event was organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade in partnership with; NMD Labour Market Partnership Department for Communities, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Southern Regional College, SERC, Ulster University, and Queen's University Belfast.

We look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to enhance employment related inclusion and opportunity for disabled people in the area and beyond.

The SkillSET project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.