15/10/2014

DEL Launches 'Connected' Phase 3

The third phase of the Department for Employment and Learning’s 'Connected' programme has been launched today.

Funded by the Department, Connected is delivered by Queen’s University, the University of Ulster and the six further education (FE) colleges.

The scheme aims to assist businesses improve performance by providing access to support services.

Employment Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: "My decision to approve a third round of Connected to run for the next four years, represents a total investment of over £4.5m and is testament to the excellent work carried out in the past four years. Since its launch as a pilot programme in 2007, Connected has enabled companies to gain access to world-class expertise, technology and research from Northern Ireland’s universities and colleges, assisting them to boost their competitiveness, develop new products and increase market opportunities.

"Connected 3 will continue to develop a broad and growing portfolio of industrial support networks spanning Queen’s, the University of Ulster and all six further education colleges, further developing the programme’s existing links with both the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute and with the College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise, whilst also now seeking to build an entirely new relationship with the Open University in Northern Ireland."

(IT/CD)

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