Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry today commended businesses who gained a qualification having participated in the InnovateUs Employer Support Programme (ESP).
The event at South Eastern Regional College Lisburn campus recognised the achievements of local businesses through their participation on the skills programme which is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning. The InnovateUs ESP initiative provides businesses with opportunities to acquire the skills necessary to engage in innovation activities and research and development across their organisation.
Addressing delegates at the event, the Minister said: “The development of innovative products, processes and services and bringing these to the market, is essential for any business. We need to support and provide the necessary skills for local businesses to allow them to stay one step ahead of the competition, and opportunities presented by emerging technologies to attract and build new business.
“Under my Department’s Employer Support Programme, (InnovateUs) further education colleges are given the opportunity to work with small and medium sized businesses to provide the skills support necessary to promote innovation activities and research and development. This programme has made it possible for many SMEs and micro-businesses to access expertise and innovation know-how for the first time.
“South East Regional College has successfully introduced a number of SMEs to the use of cloud computing, digital marketing and social media. The skills acquired through participation on InnovateUs contribute positively to the growth of the business and ultimately continue to underpin and contribute to economic growth across the whole of Northern Ireland.”
The InnovateUs ESP is a sector wide programme delivered across Northern Ireland by the six further education colleges.
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