Local Employers Skills Conference

NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference is a Huge Success

Over 200 delegates from across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area attended the highly successful ‘NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference’ on Wednesday 9 October hosted by the Broadcaster & Journalist, Mark Simpson in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

The NMD Recruitment & Skills Conference was organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership (LMP) - funded by the Department for Communities, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Southern Regional College (SRC), South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and Ulster University.

The conference is the first of two major conferences over a 12-month period with the second District-wide conference taking place in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle on 8 October 2025.

Representing business, education, training and policymaking, the delegates heard keynote speakers and panellists discuss the theme of the conference, ‘Meeting the District’s Workforce Challenge’ as well as an address from and Q&A with Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who joined via video-link from Westminster.

Keynote speakers at the conference included:

Dr Eoin Magennis, Principal Economist, Ulster University Economic Policy Centre
Prof Kristel Miller, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development, Ulster University
Paddy Rooney, Deputy Secretary for Work & Health, Department for Communities NI
Moira Doherty, Deputy Secretary for Skills & Education, Department for the Economy NI
Kathleen O’Hare OBE, Chair, Northern Ireland Skills Council

The panel discussions covered three key areas including:

Tackling Economic Inactivity & Promoting Diversity in the Workplace
Careers & Curriculum Development
Skills Shortages/Access to European Workforce & Foreign Workers

Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber commented:

“The conference was all about starting a much-needed conversation about how we can all collaborate to devise a locally focused strategy that meets the 21st Century Skills and Recruitment Needs of Newry, Mourne and Down District.”

“Newry Chamber is delighted to be involved in the organisation and delivery of this very important conference as one of the Chamber’s Core Strategic Pillars is Tackling the Workforce Challenges of the Greater Newry Area.”

“The conference is about collaboration, about coming together to develop a strategy aimed at tackling the growing challenges in our labour market and the struggles businesses face in filling vacancies across this region.”

“Sincere thanks to our partners, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Newry Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership, Southern Regional College, South Eastern Regional College and Ulster University for all their support in making the Conference possible and to our speakers and panellists who contribute to an exception event.”

Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District, Cllr Pete Byrne said:

“Providing a platform for industry, education and policymakers to come together to discuss the skills challenge, shows Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s commitment to work with key stakeholders towards the advancement of economic and career opportunities for our citizens.”

“Highlighting the need to work collaboratively in identifying workable solutions, the recent Recruitment and Skills Conference will enable stakeholders to partner together to create opportunities for residents, attract and assist businesses, and progress our ambitions to stimulate economic growth.”

“Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership, funded by the Department for Communities, is one such vehicle allowing for local and regional collaboration and engaged in delivering a suite of initiatives towards a targeted employment action plan. I look forward to their contribution in improving employability outcomes and labour market conditions locally.”