Other News In Brief

Clare Bailey Calls On Men To Act On Gender-Based Violence

Green Party NI Leader Clare Bailey has said that men have a responsibility to speak to each other and "challenge misogyny whenever they see it".

Joining a vigil outside Parliament Buildings this morning in memory of Ashling Murphy, the Green Party NI Leader said: "The horrific murder of Ashling Murphy has understandably led to an outpouring of grief and outrage across the island, as demonstrated by the large attendance at vigils in cities and towns over the weekend.

"My colleague Rachel Woods MLA has brought forward a Safe Leave Bill, which will guarantee all victims and survivors of abuse paid time off work to obtain help and support, which could well be life-saving. Alongside the Domestic Abuse Act, which comes into force later this year, safe leave will make a vital difference in the lives of those affected by domestic abuse.

"But to eradicate the scourge of gender-based violence from our society, we cannot rely on legislation alone. Men have a responsibility to speak to each other and challenge misogyny whenever they see it. Men are killing women, and the onus must be on them, not on women, to end the crisis of femicide.

"At least twelve women in Northern Ireland have been murdered since the start of the pandemic. Each one of these murders was avoidable. All men have a duty to ensure that they are doing all they can to challenge misogyny and gender-based violence every day."

fonaCAB Announced As Title Sponsor Of North West 200

fonaCAB has announced that it has renewed its Title Sponsorship of the International North West 200, due to be held on the historic north coast circuit between 8th and 14th May this year.

William McCausland, fonaCAB Managing Director said: "We are delighted to once again be title sponsors of the International North West 200.

"After a challenging two years for the sport and the event, it's fantastic to see it back on the road race calendar and we look forward to an even bigger and more exciting race week in May 2022. Our sponsorship continues our long association with the North West and maintains our commitment to giving back to our customers and communities by supporting motorcycling and sport at all levels across Northern Ireland. Here's to a fantastic 2022 event!"

Latest Assured Skills Collaborative Welding Academy At South West College Announced

The latest Assured Skills Collaborative Welding Academy at South West College, with 12 training places, has been announced by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons.

The Academy will see successful applicants receive industry-standard welding training during a six-week course at South West College’s industrial training facility in Cookstown.

Upon successful completion of the training, participants will be guaranteed an interview for a welding position at one of 19 participating engineering and manufacturing companies in the Mid Ulster area.

Highlighting the opportunity, the Minister said: "I am very pleased to launch this latest Assured Skills Collaborative Welding Academy at South West College. This is the sixth such Academy to be delivered by the college this financial year.

"Indeed, this financial year we are on track to deliver 15 Collaborative Welding Academies offering approximately 200 training places with further education colleges and companies across Northern Ireland.

"Since the Collaborative Welding Academies started in April 2018, 221 people have participated on the Academies and of those, 163 were successfully upskilled and 133 secured employment.

"This Academy will see 12 more people gain the skills they need to potentially secure a job in this dynamic sector. With a £155 weekly training allowance payable to participants and no experience in the sector required, I urge anyone who is interested to apply."