28/10/2025
New Antrim Academy Offering Construction Skills
A new Construction and Scaffolding Academy has been launched in the Antrim and Newtownabbey area as a direct effort to address skill shortages within the local construction industry.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership (LMP), the Council, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Advanced Scaffolding, and local employers.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, highlighted the specific local benefits: "This innovative training academy offers a real opportunity for local people to gain the skills and confidence needed to enter the construction industry. With strong employer involvement and tailored support, we're aiming to support a critical local industry to develop more people with the right skills whilst helping residents take the first step toward a rewarding and sustainable career."
The intensive training programme will run for two weeks, from Monday, 17 November to Friday, 28 November 2025. It offers participants the chance to gain industry-recognised qualifications, hands-on experience, and direct access to employers in the construction and scaffolding sectors.
The academy combines practical skills development, safety training, and employability support to prepare participants for sustainable careers.
The scheme is specifically open to residents of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area who are currently unemployed or underemployed (working 16 hours or less per week) and can commit to the two-week programme.
The initiative is funded by the Department for Communities, with safety equipment kindly sponsored by Leach's.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership (LMP), the Council, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Advanced Scaffolding, and local employers.
The intensive training programme will run for two weeks, from Monday, 17 November to Friday, 28 November 2025. It offers participants the chance to gain industry-recognised qualifications, hands-on experience, and direct access to employers in the construction and scaffolding sectors.
The academy combines practical skills development, safety training, and employability support to prepare participants for sustainable careers.
The scheme is specifically open to residents of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area who are currently unemployed or underemployed (working 16 hours or less per week) and can commit to the two-week programme.
The initiative is funded by the Department for Communities, with safety equipment kindly sponsored by Leach's.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.