Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has met with the first graduates of the Department for Infrastructure's (DfI) Skills Academy.

The 29 graduates, who have now taken up roles as Trainee Civil Engineering Assistants, successfully completed the pre-employment training course designed to equip them with the skills necessary for a career in the Civil Service.

Speaking at a celebration event at Belfast Met, where the graduates are now undertaking a National Diploma in Civil Engineering as the next step in their development, Minister O'Dowd said: "I am delighted to be here today to congratulate you on reaching this stage of your career as our engineers of the future. You are joining DfI at a time of great change and opportunity and the innovative model of the Skills Academy demonstrates that momentum of change as to how we address our recruitment needs. Our ambition in the Department is to be progressive and we are setting an agenda and seeking solutions that benefits the people we serve.  Your role as engineers is also to seek solutions and you will undoubtedly bring new ideas to the table. Take pride in the projects you work on during your career with DfI as they will improve the daily lives of the people we serve. You will not only be building roads and infrastructure; you will help build our society into the future.”

Damian Duffy, interim principal chief executive of Belfast Met, praised the initiative: "Belfast Met is delighted to have worked with the Department for Infrastructure to help create this innovative pathway into the Civil Service.  "Nobody moves anywhere without infrastructure, there are many exciting plans ahead for our infrastructure and you will be part of that. "DfI is to be commended for this progressive approach to recruitment and you, as new recruits, should make the most of the opportunities and support you now have within DfI to help you succeed."

At the event, Minister O'Dowd also outlined his "Foundations for a Better Future” – seven objectives that will underpin the work of the Department. These include: Tackle Climate Change; Cleaner and Greener Transport; Adapting to Climate; Better Roads; Water and Wastewater; Plan to Improve; & Including People.

"It is fitting that I am outlining Foundations for a Better Future at this celebration event because people like you, our engineers of the future, are at the centre of everything we do,” said Minister O'Dowd. "The Foundations will build on the success of innovative recruitment models such as The Skills Academy."

The Minister highlighted the importance of robust infrastructure in everyday life, particularly in the aftermath of recent storms.

"This time last week, we were on the brink of what turned out to be the worst storm in recent memory. I want to thank our teams who were out on the ground, working around the clock to clear and assess roads, to make them safe for use by the public and, crucially, by the emergency services and by engineers who needed access to restore power and water supplies" said Minister O'Dowd. "The aftermath of the storm proved, yet again, how crucial infrastructure is to our everyday lives. By focusing on our Foundations for a Better Future, and by giving people the opportunity to be part of that through the DfI Skills Academy, we can deliver real benefits for our citizens, our communities and the economy."