Minister Lyons To Strengthen NI-US Cultural Ties During Washington Visit

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is set to visit Washington to strengthen cultural and historical links between Northern Ireland and the United States, particularly ahead of the US 250th anniversary in 2026.

"This is a unique opportunity to highlight our role in the formation of the United States 250 years ago and the role we continue to play today," said Minister Lyons, speaking before his five-day trip.

He outlined his focus: "I will be focused on strengthening our cultural and historical links as well as showcasing Northern Ireland as a place to visit, invest in and to discover more about the Ulster-Scots influence on modern America. I look forward to building upon the relationships forged over the last year to promote Northern Ireland’s participation in the semiquincentennial celebration."

Minister Lyons will participate in several speaking engagements, including a highlight event at the Smithsonian. He will also hold meetings with various partners, including the US-NI working group and the America 250 Committee, and engage in diplomatic meetings as part of the Northern Ireland Executive delegation.

"I have a busy programme planned but at its heart will be work to enhance existing relationships and to establish long-term collaborations with a key partner for Northern Ireland," Minister Lyons stated. "The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 is an event of global significance and I want to ensure we are ready to mark the occasion and that our contribution, past and future, is recognised."

Welding Academy Offers Training And Job Opportunities

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced a new Assured Skills Collaborative Welding Academy at South West College (SWC), providing 12 individuals with industry-standard welding training and potential job opportunities in Cookstown and the surrounding area.

Funded by the Department for the Economy, the academy responds to the high demand for welding skills in the local engineering sector. "The engineering sector is hugely important to the local economy and people with welding skills are clearly in high demand," said Minister Archibald. "I’m delighted to see these new training and employment opportunities being delivered in Cookstown and the surrounding area. The training provided by South West College will enable participants to gain the valuable skills and qualifications required to pursue a rewarding career in this important sector.”

The six-week intensive training course, running from Monday 28th April 2025 to Tuesday 10th June 2025, will be delivered at SWC’s Cookstown training facility. Participants will study ETCAL Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations and Certified Abrasive Wheels Training. An Introduction to Robotic Welding (Valk) will also be offered.

Celine McCartan, Principal and Chief Executive at South West College, highlighted the strong demand for welding skills. "The continued support from the Department for the Economy for this Assured Skills Welding Academy underpins the success the college has enjoyed within the engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors. There is a very strong appetite both from employers and individuals across the region for welding skills and as a college we remain committed to and focused on providing new opportunities for local people to gain new skills, and supporting local enterprises to employ a highly skilled workforce.”

Eligible applicants will be invited to an information session and interview on Monday 14th April at SWC Cookstown Campus. Participants will receive a £180 weekly training allowance, along with assistance for travel and childcare costs, if eligible.

Upon successful completion of the training, participants will be guaranteed an interview for a welding position with one of the supporting companies.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and eligible to work in the UK at the time of application. By applying, they commit to pursuing a job opportunity with a supporting employer.

More information and details on how to apply can be found on the nidirect website.

The online application form must be completed by 12.00 noon on Friday 4 April 2025.

Small Business Rate Relief and Rural ATM Exemptions Extended

Finance Minister John O'Dowd has announced the continuation of the Small Business Rate Relief, Back in Business, and rural ATM exemption schemes for the 2025/26 financial year. 

"Supporting local business means supporting entrepreneurship, helping our economy grow and creating better jobs,” said Minister O'Dowd. "Small businesses are the driving force behind our high streets and the extension of the Small Business Rate Relief scheme means we continue to provide around 30,000 businesses with reductions, of between 20% and 50%, on their rates bill. This is just one element of over a quarter of a billion pounds of support provided to business ratepayers through the rating system.” 

The Back in Business scheme, which encourages businesses to occupy long-term vacant properties, and the rural ATM exemption, which ensures continued access to cash in rural communities, will also be extended.

The announcement coincided with the Assembly's approval of 5% and 3% regional rate uplifts for domestic and business rates, respectively. This will result in an average domestic property paying an additional 60p per week and a business with a rateable value of £50,000 paying an extra £8.37 per week on the regional rate element of their bills.

Minister O'Dowd emphasised the critical role rates play in funding public services. "The Regional Rate is expected to raise in the region of £730 million in the forthcoming financial year, this is vital to helping fund our hospitals, childcare, schools and other essential public services,” he stated.

He acknowledged the challenges faced during the rate-setting process due to the impact of National Insurance contribution decisions. "This year the rate setting process has been taken under the difficult circumstances following the impact of decisions taken by the Chancellor in relation to National Insurance contributions which have led to well documented concerns over increased costs,” he said.

"As a result, the new rates have had to be set carefully to strike the right balance between raising income while limiting increases as much as is possible recognising ongoing challenges for households and businesses. The extensive support we provide for households including means tested supports for those on the lowest incomes will continue.”