Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade was delighted to host a Business Breakfast with Minister John O’Dowd, Department of Education on the 20th September in the Canal Court Hotel.
An ‘Interview with the Minister’ was facilitated by BBC Sports Pundit and Vice Principal of St Paul’s High School, Mr Jarlath Burns.
During the interview the Minister responded to a wide range of questions posed by local pupils, principals and business leaders, on topics such as academic ion, the future of GCSE’s, youth unemployment, the Entitlement Framework, capital investment in our schools, fostering entrepreneurship and matching skills with industry requirements.
Speaking on behalf of Newry Chamber, President Cathal Austin stated, ‘Newry Chamber was delighted to be afforded the opportunity to host such an important and timely event with the Minister of Education’.
‘The Minister’s portfolio is a challenging one, with key decisions to be made on sensitive issues which have a lasting impact on the education of our young people. The future success of commerce is predicated on the education and skills of today’s pupils; they are the industry leaders, entrepreneurs and workforce of tomorrow’.
This event was attended by representatives from the local business community along with principals and students from schools across Newry and Mourne.
This event was generously sponsored by Newry & Mourne Labour & Education Forum.
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