Assured Skills programme continues to deliver employment opportunities

Fourteen students of the Eishtec Training Academy have received their certificates from Pat McKenna, Assured Skills Senior Client Executive in the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).

Following the announcement that Eishtec UK Ltd was creating 320 jobs in Northern Ireland, the three week Training Academy was designed by DEL, Eishtec UK Ltd and Southern Regional College (SRC) under the Assured Skills initiative, to prepare the successful students to compete for customer service positions within the company.

Speaking prior to the event Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “I wish to congratulate all the Academy graduates. Through the Assured Skills programme my Department will ensure that Eishtec has the necessary support for training initiatives to develop the skills required for these new customer service roles.

“The creation of a vibrant economy is at the heart of the Northern Ireland’s Programme for Government. I am committed to working with our inward investors and local companies to help them meet their skill needs and help grow our local economy.”

The event was held in SRC’s Portadown campus and the 14 graduates will now be interviewed for a position within the company.

Heather Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer, Eishtec UK Ltd said: “I am thrilled to congratulate the graduates on successfully completing the programme. I am proud that we’ve had the chance to engage such a passionate group of graduates and to support the development of business skills and talent acquisition.

“By helping us to develop and nurture enthusiastic, talented individuals, programmes like the Eishtec Training Academy help us to deliver on our promises and delight our blue-chip clients – today and into the future.

“The Eishtec Training Academy provides its participants a strong and positive start to their careers, offering them the opportunity to work for a truly innovative organisation. Our partnerships with the Department for Employment and Learning and the Southern Regional College help us to do this, and we’re excited for this continued journey as we engage further emerging talent.”

SRC’s Assistant Director for Employer Engagement Claire Byrne said: “SRC is delighted to work with DEL and Eishtec UK Ltd on the delivery of the training academy to the first cohort of learners. The academy offers a tailored training programme to help develop learners to become potential employees of Eishtec whilst achieving a qualification which further enhances their personal development. The College’s partnership with Eishtec demonstrates how an academy model can successfully work for both learners and employers.”

The ceremony was attended by academy trainees, along with representatives from Eishtec UK Ltd, DEL and SRC.