In 2012 the College launched the Career Academy (Engineering) at its Ballymena campus. The programme provides an excellent opportunity to build engagement with students, College and local engineering businesses with the ultimate aim of increasing the employability skills of 16-19 year old engineering students. The Career academy (Engineering), since its launch, has been successfully run by a Local Advisory Board (LAB) consisting of industrial representatives and College staff with student input. The industry representatives come from leading manufacturing companies in Northern Ireland.
Clare O’Neill, Head of Business Development said:
“We are delighted to have won this award. The Career Academy has had twelve graduates who have participated in the Career Academy over their 2 years at the College. Out of this group who graduated in June 2014, five are now employed directly with their internship company with the remaining seven progressing to Higher Education.
The College now goes forward to the national finals in London in November, competing against other colleges from across the UK to be crowned the national winner.
Stephen McCully, President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:
“The Chamber Awards are the perfect opportunity to take stock of the outstanding performances of businesses and institutions over the past year – something made all the more impressive by the continuing global economic headwinds they are facing.
“The creativity and determination that has been shown by each year’s entrants never ceases to impress us, and is a source of encouragement knowing that the Northern Ireland economy is being driven by such hard-working and talented professionals.
“Further Education plays an important role in meeting the skills needs of local and regional employers – and NI Chamber commends the College on its collaboration with industry."
A full list of winners is as follows:
Best use of Technology to Improve Business Performance – Concentrix
Business in the Community – Henderson Retail
Education and Business Partnership – Northern Regional College
Exporting Business of the Year – M&M Contractors
High Growth Business – Selective Travel Management
People Development Award – The Lava Group
Small Business of the Year – Windell
Young Person in Business – Katie Waddell, Spoon Street
A Highly Commended honour for the Education and Business Partnership category was also awarded to Belfast Metropolitan College’s Springvale Campus for its 'Graduate Export
Sales & Marketing Academy' (GESMA) which has been a successful collaborative pilot project with Belfast Metropolitan College, Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) and fully funded and supported by the Department for Employment and Learning for Northern Ireland (DEL).
The Chamber Awards, now in their 12th year, are a highlight of the business calendar, showcasing the pivotal role local businesses play in the UK’s continuing growth story. The 2015 Awards culminate in a Gala Dinner that takes place on 26 November 2015 at The Brewery in London.
