30 June 2000

PREMIER GRADUATES REWARDED BY MINISTER

At a ceremony tonight in the Balmoral Conference Centre, Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Higher & Further Education, Training & Employment, presented Institute of Management certificates to 250 graduates who have completed the Premiere Graduate Management Programme.

Dr. Farren congratulated the graduates on their achievement and said: " It is remarkable to learn that during your placements with local companies whilst on the Premiere programme, you have made a real and positive impact. I am delighted to hear that benefits valued at £2m were derived as a result of the projects you were involved in last year."

The Minister also praised Parity Training Ireland LTD - the company which delivers Premiere on behalf of the Training and Employment Agency - on the excellent results achieved in this, the ninth year of the programme.

Dr Farren went on to say that by achieving the Institute of Management certificates the graduates had already embraced the culture of Lifelong Learning.

He said: "In order to become the first class managers of the future for Northern Ireland companies it is important for you to continue to upgrade your skills, be adaptable and innovative and willing to respond to change."

Dr Farren went on to praise the graduates for the £5000 they had raised for local charities saying it was important not only to develop top class management skills, but also to give something back to the community.

Media Enquiries contact: Kevin Mulhern, Press Office, telephone 028 9025 7790 or mobile 0788 1550849

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Premiere, the Graduate Management Development Programme is funded by the Training and Employment Agency and delivered by Parity Training (Ireland) Ltd.

Premiere aims to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to make a significant contribution to the management of local business. It consists of placements with companies and training in managerial competencies and process skills.

250 places are offered annually and the programme runs for 35 weeks which includes 2 industrial work placements.

For further information please contact:

Angela Flanagan, Management Development Branch, Skills and Industry Division, T&EA - 028 90548889 or Bill Martin, Parity Training (Ireland) LTD 028 90240780