Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership Launches ‘Great Place to Work’ Free Event Series

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is serving up a series of free lunchtime employer engagement events as part of the ‘Great Place to Work’ strand of the NMD Labour Market Partnership. Labour Market Partnerships are funded by the Department for Communities and create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.

Local jobseekers, budding entrepreneurs, careers teachers, students, and other businesses are invited to come along to events across the district to learn from industry experts and to network over lunch. Attendees will hear from industry experts about building and growing a business; while job seekers or those looking at career options can find out what opportunities there are with the individual businesses. The first event called NMD- ‘Food for Thought’ is looking at the exceptional food production and manufacturing sector in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. Attendees will hear from Deli-Lites about their growth from one café to becoming a multi-million pound exporter. Bronagh Lennon, Chief People Officer will also talk about the many roles available in food innovation and production and well as sustainability with the business.

Guests will hear from Finnebrogue Artisan about the significant investment they have made into the business and varied career opportunities available with the Downpatrick based company. Neary Nogs Artisan Stoneground Chocolate will also be talking about their entrepreneurial journey; and the opportunities and challenges presented when setting up your own business. The ‘Food for Thought’ event will take place on Tuesday 21 March from 12 noon until 2pm at the Burrendale Hotel in Newcastle.

The second event is called ‘NMD- Our Place in the World’. It will take place on Tuesday 28 March from 12 noon until 2pm at The Canal Court Hotel in Newry. At this session attendees will hear from businesses employing people locally to work globally. We have a thriving export sector in Newry, Mourne and Down area and at this event we will hear from MJM Marine about their work in the global cruise ship industry. They recruit from apprenticeship level upwards with opportunities to work in Miami, The Bahamas, and major cruise refit ports across the world.

Kukoon Rugs will be talking about their export journey from starting out with a basic shop on eBay to exporting product across Europe and beyond. There is a host of opportunities with this retail and logistics-based business right in the heart of Newry. Lastly, we will hear from Mourne Dew Distillery about the work they are doing in different markets including GB, ROI, France, USA and Italy.

Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Michael Savage said, “This series of lunchtime engagement sessions with businesses across the district is vital to show people just what we have to offer here. There are so many companies based here that you may have heard of, but yet you may not know what they do. “This programme of events allows people at all stages of their career to find out a bit more about Newry, Mourne and Down as a great place to work. I would strongly encourage you to register to attend these events, if you can. If successful, this is something the NMD Labour Market Partnership will seek to continue to deliver, throughout 2023 and beyond.”

At each of the events a free lunch will be served and attendees will have the opportunity to ask the business representatives questions via a facilitated Q&A session.

Spaces are limited so early booking is advisable. To book your place at either event, please log onto NMD Business website at www.nmdbusiness.org