It was great to meet many Chamber members at our Annual Golf Classic in Warrenpoint Golf Club last Friday. Everyone was in good form and enjoyed the glorious weather.
A special thanks to the 22 teams who took part and all of the event sponsors.
We are excited to announce on Monday 6th September 2021, the finalists for the Greater Newry Area Business Awards 2021.
Look out for details on our social media channels.
The Gala Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday 7th October 2021 in the Canal Court Hotel & Spa.
In this week’s update, we have also included a detailed update on the £100 High Street Voucher Scheme, info on a delay to rules on goods moving from NI to GB and a new initiative, ‘Skill Up’ that has been launched by the Economy Minister which will deliver approx. 15,000 free training places to re-skill and upskill into areas where job growth is expected to be high as we emerge from the impact of COVID-19.
Finally, don’t forget to join our three Facebook Groups, which have been set up by the Chamber to support local businesses.
1. SHOP, DINE & STAY NEWRY -JOIN GROUP HERE.
2. NETWORK NEWRY – JOIN GROUP HERE.
3. JOBS NEWRY – JOIN GROUP HERE.
Tony McKeown
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
UPDATE: £100 HIGH STREET VOUCHER SCHEME
The portal for applying for the £100 Voucher will open after 13th Sept 2021 and will close on 11th Oct 2021.
This will be done through the NI Direct website:
www.nidirect.gov.uk
You MUST use the full £100 by 30th Nov 2021.
The Electoral Register will be the primary method of verification – if you are confirmed on the register you will receive your card.
If you are not on the register, other databases will be used such as DVLA and DfC and finally an appeals process, if you are not verified through those.
To apply, people will have to be 18 before applications close on 11th Oct 2021.
Every adult in NI will eligible for a £100 pre-paid card.
Cards will have to be spent by 30th Nov 2021 to avoid displacing spending during the peak of the Christmas shopping period.
The intention is to encourage spending at retailers that have been badly affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns and the Economy Committee was also told they would not be offered to 16 and 17-year-olds.
Applications will be checked against electoral register.
The electoral register is being updated through a canvass, which takes place every 10 years. Even if you have previously been registered to vote, you must do so again as part of the process.
A phone application process will be put in place for those who can’t do online application – including people with disabilities, no broadband/mobile coverage etc.
There will be the ability to apply on behalf of someone else with their permission.
Work is being undertaken by Dept. for the Economy to ensure groups who may not be on the electoral register such as asylum seekers, people who are homeless or don’t have permanent addresses, are able to have an application processed.
The voucher will be in the form of a pre-paid card with £100 to spend in local businesses and will be sent out to individuals following successful application.
Certain restrictions will apply to what it can be used for – it can’t be used online or for gambling and certain financial services will be restricted.
Any retail business including social enterprises, shops, services such as hairdressers, beauticians, dentists and hospitality businesses.
Each card can be used for multiple transactions or multiple cards on a transaction. You will be able to check the balance on your card if you don’t spend it all at once.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO ELECTORAL REGISTER.
RULES FOR MOVING GOODS FROM NI TO GB DELAYED
New post-Brexit rules for moving goods from NI to the rest of the UK have been delayed.
They were due to be implemented by the end of this year but the UK government says that will not happen.
The rules concern the definition of which goods qualify for ‘unfettered access’ when moving from NI to GB.
The definition of qualifying goods is currently broad and the UK government has always intended to narrow it.
Unfettered access for Northern Ireland goods was a central Brexit promise from the UK government.
Goods which start their journey in the EU do not qualify for unfettered access if they are moved through NI to GB for ‘an avoidance purpose’.
A UK government spokesperson said that the delay was related to its intention to negotiate major changes to the NI Protocol.
The definition of qualifying goods is likely to come into sharper focus when the government starts implementing new controls on goods moving from the EU to GB.
In October 2021, EU agri-food products will need export health certificates to enter GB with physical checking of goods starting in 2022.
We will update you with more details when we get them.
SKILL UP: ECONOMY MINISTER LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE
TO DELIVER FREE ACCREDITED COURSES TO RE-SKILL
Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA has launched ‘Skill Up’, a new initiative to deliver free training places, in an investment of up to £23 million.
Supported by the Northern Ireland Office, ‘Skill Up’ will fully fund the local further education colleges and universities to deliver approximately 15,000 training places in over 250 subject areas for qualifications ranging from Level 2 up to Level 7.
Opportunities are available from entry to postgraduate levels, focussing on skills identified by industry, linked to priority economic sectors including:
► Digital Skills
► Green Technologies
► Healthcare and Life Sciences
► Advanced Manufacturing
► Leadership and Management
Most courses will be delivered online and will provide an opportunity to re-skill and upskill into areas where job growth is expected to be high as we emerge from the impact of COVID-19.
Find out what courses are available from local colleges and universities below. For more information on specific courses, please visit the provider’s website.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
SRC LAUNCH WELDING ACADEMY
Southern Regional College (SRC) in conjunction with the Dept. for the Economy are offering an opportunity for 12 individuals to receive industry standard welding training that will provide them with the skills to take up potential welding roles with companies including:
► Cubis
► Concrete Batching Systems
► O’Hare Steel
► Peter Martin
► SlurryKat
The pre-employment Academy consists of a seven-week intensive training course during which participants will study a Level 2 City & Guilds Award, MIG Welding Skills.
Following completion of the training, participants will be guaranteed an interview to take up a welding position at one of the participating companies.
This opportunity is NOT OPEN to anyone currently employed within the manufacturing and engineering sector and all applicants must be at least 18 years old by Mon 4th Oct 2021 and currently eligible to work in UK.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
SRC FREE ONLINE COURSES
Pearson Level 4: Computer Networking
The unit will provide learners with wider background knowledge of computer networking essentials, how they operate, protocols, standards, security considerations and the prototypes associated with a wide range of networking technologies.
Direct follow on opportunities include further study on the Level 4 HNC Computing programme.
Start Date: Monday 13th September 2021
Duration: 16 Weeks
Entry Requirements:
A minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above to include:
- GCSE English Language Grade C or above OR Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Literacy.
- GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above OR Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Numeracy.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Pearson Level 4: Data Analytics
This unit will introduce the theoretical foundation of data analytics and a range of data analytic processes and techniques to provide hands-on experience for enhancing learners’ skills.
Employees will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
Direct follow on opportunities include further study on the Level 4 HNC Computing programme.
Start Date: Monday 13th September 2021
Duration: 16 Weeks
Entry Requirements:
A minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above to include:
- GCSE English Language Grade C or above OR Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Literacy.
- GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above OR Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Numeracy.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
FSB NI: CLIMATE CHANGE SURVEY
Climate change will impact us all and our colleagues in FSB NI are surveying the small business community to assess what steps you have taken to make changes within your business such as transport use, energy consumption and waste management.
They wish to learn what needs to be done to help different types of small businesses transition towards Net Zero and support SMEs attempting to do so.
This is a crucial chance to influence government policy and ensure the voice of small businesses are heard.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE SURVEY.