NEW BUSINESS TRAINING CENTRE OPENS IN ANTRIM

DR SEAN Farren, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, officially opened Parity Training’s new Learning Centre at Antrim Technology Park.

The Learning Centre, which represents a total investment of £450,000 by Parity, has been developed in response to increased demand for its range of IT and management development programmes and services.

Highlighting the importance of providing people with the skills needed by industry, Dr Farren said: “A skilled workforce is vital for continued economic growth in Northern Ireland. Companies that invest in the training and development of their human resources gain an advantage in coping with the challenges of the future, and of the competitive global economy.

“This innovative new centre will continue to maintain and build on Parity’s reputation for delivering quality technical and management development training programmes for companies throughout Northern Ireland.”

The Minister also highlighted Parity’s significant contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of Northern Ireland industry over the past decade, through its work delivering the Premiere Graduate Management Development Programme. The programme has made a major contribution to the economy since 1991. Over 3000 graduates have gone through the programme and have entered the Northern Ireland labour market with enhanced skills.

Dr Farren added: “Investment in training and development benefits both the company and the employee. The skills we need in our economy are subject to constant change, and experience has demonstrated over and over again, that investment in people brings results.” (AMcE)