NMD Recruitment and 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 and Skills Conference’ on Wednesday 9 October hosted by the Broadcaster and Journalist, Mark Simpson in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

The NMD Recruitment and Skills Conference was organised by Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership (LMP) and 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, Newcastle on Wednesday 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
• Professor Kristel Miller, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Ulster University
• Paddy Rooney, Deputy Secretary for Work and Health, Department for Communities NI
• Moira Doherty, Deputy Secretary for Skills and Education, Department for the Economy NI
• Kathleen O’Hare OBE, Chair of Northern Ireland Skills Council

The panel discussions covered three key areas including, Tackling Economic Inactivity and Promoting Diversity in the Workplace, Careers and Curriculum Development and Skills Shortages/Access to European Workforce and Foreign Workers.

President of Newry Chamber, Edwina Flynn said, “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 21^st 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.”

“Thank you 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 contributed to an exceptional event.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor 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.

Councillor Pete Byrne continued, “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.”