Press Release
Date: Monday 25 September 2006 (NR/26/06)
A first class workforce for a first class city:
Greater Vision for Greater Newry boosted by Education for Employability
Plans were unveiled today as to how education will play its part in supporting the economic regeneration of the Greater Newry Area.
At an event in the Canal Court Hotel hosted by Newry Chamber of Commerce and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), an audience heard how 16 local schools will be playing their part in developing the knowledge and skills for a top class workforce :
Cecil Holmes from CCEA commented;
“CCEA’s Education for Employability programme in schools aims to equip the future workforce of Northern Ireland with the skills, knowledge, qualities and attitudes they need to succeed in life and work.
“This is particularly important in the Greater Newry Area in light of recent developments to ensure that a first class workforce is available to support a first class city.”
Orla Jackson, Chief Executive , Newry Chamber of Commerce stated;
“Many of our local schools are already participating in CCEA’s pilot programmes and we are pleased to be here today to welcome a CCEA representative to work in the offices of the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade.
Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce so real and relevant education and direction will further enhance the economic success of the Greater Newry Area in the future.
Newry Chamber would wish to congratulate CCEA for their foresight in bringing this unique pilot scheme to the Greater Newry Area.”
Social Development Minister David Hanson welcomed the Greater Vision at its recent launch. This visionary document lists the strategic priorities required for the future economic and social development of the Greater Newry Area.
Education for Employability is one of the elements underpinning the objectives in the revised Northern Ireland Curriculum. It will be introduced to schools from September 2007 as part of Learning for Life and Work.
CCEA’s efforts will continue to focus on forging links between business and education by also bringing together employers at an event in Carlingford on Friday 29 th September.
For further information on Education for Employability, please contact Cecil Holmes, CCEA on 02890 261200 or email cholmes@ccea.org.uk
Education for Employability
Education for Employability forms part of the revised Northern Ireland Curriculum within the wider context of Learning for Life and work.
It encompasses three dimensions in post primary education:
- Working in the Local and Global Economy
- Career Planning
- Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Schools involved in the Newry Pilot Programme
- Christian Brothers’ Abbey Grammar School
- EOTAS Learning Centre
- Kilkeel High School
- Markethill High School
- Our Lady’s Grammar School
- Rathfriland High School
- Rathore School
- Sacred Heart Grammar School
- St Colman’s College
- St Columban’s College
- St Joseph’s Boys School
- St Joseph’s High School
- St Louis Grammar School
- St Mark’s Grammar School
- St Mary’s High School
- St Paul’s High School
Employers Attending Event in Carlingford
- Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade
- First Trust Bank
- Parker Green International
- Newry & Mourne
- N&KIF&HE
- Autoline Insurance
- FM Environmental
- Dundalk Chamber of Commerce
About Newry Chamber
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade is a voluntary organisation representing in excess of 170 local businesses of varying sizes from all sectors of the local business community.
The Newry Chamber is the leading voice for local businesses in the South East of Northern Ireland and is renowned for its professional and effective lobbying campaigns. Working as a central body the Chamber represents its members’ interests, encouraging business growth, creating employment, and promoting and developing the Greater Newry Area as a prominent place to do business, advantageous location for industry and a rewarding tourist destination.
The Newry Chamber has been and continues to be a key stakeholder in the growth of Newry City and the wider region. Newry Chamber has been instrumental in successfully lobbying for dramatic landmark milestones, such as City Status and the establishment of Newry as Europe ’s first Euro Friendly Zone. The Chamber actively promotes and raises the profile of the City through advertising campaigns, tourism initiatives, festivals, and the Newry Business Awards, etc.
The Executive Board sits on many committees that deal with a range of subjects such as traffic management, community safety and City Centre Management and works in a unique and mutually beneficial partnership with Newry & Mourne District Council
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
