Appeal For Information On Alleged Sectarian Assault On Train To L'Derry

The PSNI in L'Derry have issued an appeal for information following reports of incidents that occurred on a train at the weekend.

Shortly after 11.10pm on Saturday, 29th July, police received reports about ongoing verbal abuse on a train travelling towards L'Derry. Police responded and when they arrived at the train station, a male passenger reported he had been assaulted on board the train, having been kicked on the leg. This is being treated as a sectarian hate crime at this time.

Enquiries are ongoing, and police are appealing to anyone who was on the train and captured mobile phone footage of what occurred, or has information, to get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference number 2113 of 29/07/23.

A report can be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or, via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.

20 Training Places On New Data Engineering with Cloud Assured Skills Academy

Twenty new training places have been created in the latest Data Engineering with Cloud Assured Skills Academy with KPMG, the Department for the Economy has announced.

Funded by the Department, the Assured Skills Academy will see participants receive industry-relevant pre-employment training with Belfast Met (BMC) for roles as Data Engineers within KPMG's Belfast Centre of Excellence.

Successfully completing the training guarantees participants an interview for an Analyst role within the KPMG Data Engineering Team.

Highlighting the opportunity, the Department for the Economy's Director of Skills Strategy, Graeme Wilkinson commented: "As we continue to move into a decade of economic transformation around the Department's 10X Economic Vision, strengthening our local skills base and investing in skills is essential to grow our economy. Assured Skills Academies have a strong track record of delivering high quality training whilst also providing businesses with the skills and talent they need to grow.

"With no experience needed, this Assured Skills Academy with KPMG, focussing on the cutting-edge area of data engineering, is a wonderful opportunity to join a multinational company and develop a professional career in Data Science, Data Engineering and Analytics. With an allowance of £160 per week I would encourage anyone who is interested and eligible to apply."

Johnny Hanna, Partner in Charge of KPMG in Northern Ireland said: "After the success of our other AI and Cyber Security Academies, KPMG are delighted to again offer ambitious graduates in any discipline the opportunity to join our Centre of Excellence and to develop a professional career in the field of Data Engineering and Cloud. This opportunity will be challenging but equally rewarding to those who have an analytical mindset, an aptitude to solve complex business issues and a desire to succeed in their career."

Damian Duffy, Deputy Chief Executive at Belfast Met said: "Our partnership continues to grow with KMPG and the Department for the Economy and I am delighted to welcome these 20 training positions on Data Engineering. With training provided by our Assured Skills Team, students will receive top, industry relevant guidance and quality knowledge they will need to grow in the Data Engineering and Cloud sector.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to work with such a prestigious professional services company like KPMG and to gain the relevant skills to progress into careers as Analysts with KMPG – I wish them all the best."

While experience is not required applicants must:

• be at least 18 or over;

• be eligible to work in the UK; and

• have a university degree classification 2:2 in any discipline or a level 5 qualification in an ICT subject.

Training will commence on Monday 16 October and finish on Friday 15 December 2023.

Applications are now open and close at 12 noon on Friday 25 August 2023.

Sinn Féin Calls For Windfall Tax On Big Energy Companies

Sinn Féin has called for a windfall tax to be introduced for big energy corporations, given the profits they have reported already in 2023.

Making the call, the party's finance spokesperson, MLA Colm Gildernew, said: "It's time for a windfall tax on big energy corporations such as BP who are lifting billions in profits while their customers struggle to heat their homes.

"It is an absolute scandal that big energy corporations are walking away with bundles of cash while hiking the bills of workers, families and businesses.

"At a time when we should be moving away from fossil fuels it is galling that companies can make this level of profit and then return a £1 billion in profit to its shareholders.

"The proceeds of a Windfall Tax could be redirected into the pockets of workers and families and to advance efforts to move away from fossil fuels and into renewables to power and heat homes."