There has been a warm welcome expressed for the launch of the special management development programme.

Robin Newton, the East Belfast DUP MLA, said today that the 'Made Not Born' programme, launched by the Department of Employment and Learning, and aimed at improving the Leadership and Management of Northern Ireland companies.

The Stormont Junior Minister (pictured) said: "This programme - which replaces the previously highly successful Management and Leadership Network (MLN) - is a welcome introduction at a time when businesses throughout Northern Ireland are crying out for assistance to develop their workforces and improve the capabilities of those in managerial positions."

"MLN was a success which deserves much credit and whose demise came at a particularly unfortunate time.

"As a consequence, Northern Ireland has been without an important source of training during a period when businesses needed assistance and guidance in this area," he said.

"Looking to the future, businesses need assistance which will be practical and deliver real results. As well as benefiting their businesses, they are creating more skilled and professional individuals within their workforce.

"With this in mind it crucial this new programme is tailored to answer the needs that businesses are facing at this crucial time," he continued.

"I would urge all businesses, but in particular our SMEs, to explore the opportunities that this new programme presents – those who continue to invest in their staff during this time of economic downturn will have most to gain by being better prepared for when the upturn arrives."

See: www.delni.gov.uk/madenotborn

(BMcC/NS)