REVERSING the skills deficit remains an integral ingredient in breathing new life into the Northern Ireland economy.
The right skills, training and knowledge for the job are essential in ensuring the creation of a successful business that can stan
d the test of time.
Unfortunately, there are those out there who still believe a few good ideas is enough to make a new business or company work but from our experiences in the Federation of Small Businesses this simply isn't enough to sustain and remain in the world of commerce.
The harsh reality is that unless the skills deficit in Northern Ireland is addressed it will continue to hamper business success and remain a massive stumbling block in the Province's financial sphere.
The FSB maintains that a workforce educated, trained and equipped with the proper skills will complement the local economy and encourage further investment in it.
To help achieve this the FSB is proud to once again join forces with the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC) and host our annual Future Students of Business Awards Ceremony celebrating and rewarding the cream of young business talent currently studying in the FE college campuses around the province.
These awards are now in the fourth year and we never cease to be amazed and encouraged by the wealth and broad range of entries received.
From our involvement in these awards it is clear that it is in these colleges where we will find and nurture the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
With this is mind it is critical that education is focused on encouraging these minds to grow and succeed as well as celebrating their potential contribution to the economy on both a local and worldwide level.
The Future Students of Business Awards recognise the best business students our further education colleges have to offer and as well as a generous bursary donated by the FSB, the winners are further rewarded with a special ceremony at the Long Gallery in Stormont attended by a selection of business figures.
The competition is open to both full and parttime students from each of the colleges throughout Northern Ireland undertaking a business related course at level 3 (equivalent to A level) or above and entries came be obtained from the colleges.
As well as directly investing in business education and skills training, the FSB will continue to lobby the Assembly to ensure more resources are placed in education.
It is our belief that by cementing links between colleges and small businesses we will help discover and motivate the entrepreneurs and business leaders of the future.
We will continue to ensure the powers that be are fully aware of this important link and will encourage them to invest in the economic future of Northern Ireland and fully realise the value of the link between small businesses and colleges and the courses they provide.
Young entrepreneurs and their role in the economy Wilfred Mitchell, OBE FSB Policy Chairman New horizons for local law firm AS CROSSBORDER trade and services mushroom across Europe, Belfastbased legal practice MKB Russells has been invited to join a specialist body as representatives for the Province.
The firm has become a member of InterAct Europe EEIG, a collaborative network of specialist European legal firms working in conjunction with each other with expertise in all aspects of National and European Law.
The growth of property investment and increasing workforce mobility are just two examples of where crossborder legal services are in greater demand than ever before.
The group was founded by English legal practice, Pitmans, in 1990 and its 16 members are located in major commercial cities across Europe offering European wide legal services for clients with crossborder interests.
Over 60 referrals were made by the InterAct Europe members last year and Gordon McElroy, senior partner with MKB Russells, is confident that Northern Ireland will play a major role over the coming years.
''Our membership of InterAct Europe is good news for us as a practice as it opens up a door of opportunity to both our existing and potential new clients,'' he added.
Legal practices in Sweden and Slovenia are currently expected to join the InterAct group with member countries including Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Italy and Slovenia.
IN DEMAND: Maria Conway and Gordon McElroy of Belfast solicitors MKB Russells Asset Finance: we've got the answer. COM100 Contact us on 028 9004 9259 or email specialistsales@northernbank.co.uk or v isit www.northernbank.co.uk/business
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