Other News In Brief

New City Hall Sculpture Reflects On Infant Loss

Belfast Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl has unveiled a new sculpture at City Hall created by artist Kelly Morris reflecting on infant loss.

The special sculpture was created as part of a cross-community project with women from north and west Belfast - part of the EU funded Belfast PEACE IV programme.

The project entailed 28 women of different ages and backgrounds coming together to share their personal stories of pregnancy and baby loss.

Kelly worked with the women, through Shankill and Clonard Women's Centres, journaling their experiences where they shared their babies names, heartbreak and pain. The project involved journal writing, photography and listening and talking about their individual experiences.

The sculpture was unveiled at City Hall this evening which also illuminated in pink and blue to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. Sands NI also held a 'Wave of Light' candle lit vigil.

The Lord Mayor said: "It is fitting this beautiful, poignant sculpture was unveiled this evening during Baby Loss Awareness Week. The courage of the women who took part in this special project - engaging in such a deeply personal journey, must be commended. I also want to thank Sands for being with us and their invaluable work and support to bereaved parents and families who have experienced the heartbreak of baby loss."

£200,000 Investment In Newry City Centre Upgrade Works

The Department for Infrastructure has announced an investmen of £200,000 in traffic signal upgrade works in Newry city centre.

Announcing the works, which will begin on Monday 25 October, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: "This investment of £200,000 to upgrade traffic signals at the Trevor Hill / Sugar Island Road/ Kildare Street / Upper Water Street Junction will aid pedestrian road safety and traffic progression at this busy route city centre junction. This work will include upgrading the existing controlled pedestrian crossing on Kildare Street to a Puffin crossing and also resurfacing of the junction. This will benefit all who use it including businesses and residents in the area. I would like to thank the travelling public and local residents in advance for their cooperation while these much needed works are completed."

New PwC Assured Skills Academy Announced

A new Assured Skills Academy with PwC, focusing on professional services, offering 20 high quality training places has been announced by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons.

The Academy is open to people with a Level 5 qualification and relevant experience, or a 2:2 degree in any discipline.

Successful applicants receive eight weeks of industry-relevant pre-employment training at Belfast Met and Ulster University. Participants who complete the training have the opportunity to gain industry-recognised qualifications.

Gordon Lyons, Economy Minister said: "I am pleased to announce another fantastic opportunity with the launch of this Assured Skills Academy that is organised and facilitated in collaboration with Ulster University, Belfast Metropolitan College and PwC. This Academy is an excellent development opportunity that provides people with a potential route to employment.

"As our economic sector continues to recover, developing the local skills base is a key element to not only our initial recovery but to our long term economic growth. The Assured Skills Academies have a very strong track record of success in upskilling people and helping them secure employment."

The Minister added: "Those successful applicants to the Academy will not only benefit from a fantastic training opportunity, they will also receive £155 per week training allowance. They will also be guaranteed an interview with PwC in Belfast on completion of the training."