Minister pays tribute to North Down business partnership

Minister for Employment and Learning Barry Gardiner has paid tribute to the partnership approach taken by three key stakeholders in the Further Education and local Council sectors, to develop a joint economic strategy for the North Down area.

In a speech to invited guests, at a ceremony held this morning in the Signal Business Growth Centre in Bangor, Barry Gardiner said the North Down and Ards Institute, the North Down Borough Council and the North Down Development Organisation, were set to make a real impact on local economic development.

"They have developed a joint strategy that has picked up on the government’s Skills Strategy and the Review of Further Education,” said Mr Gardiner.

"These partners obviously share a clear idea of what is needed in their area and how the respective strengths of each organisation can be channelled to best effect. I will be asking for feedback on progress as they pursue this important work."

The Signal Business Growth Centre, a partnership between North Down Borough Council and local industry, is designed to promote employment and commercial growth through internationalisation.

Earlier, the Minister was welcomed to the complex by Brian Henry, Director of the North Down and Ards Institute and Alderman Valerie Kinghan, Mayor of North Down Borough Council.

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