Economic Development
Economic Development is at the heart of the work of the West Belfast Partnership Board and we make every effort to maximise economic growth and employment creation in the west of the city.
The aim of the Economic Development Unit of the West Belfast Partnership Board is to maximise economic growth and employment creation in the west of the city.
In 2014 the Economic Development Sub-Group agreed to focus its work around four key strategic areas, namely:
Objective 1: To support indigenous business development and community economic development
- Helping tackle unemployment by coordinating resources
- Creating added value to indigenous projects by levering in support and resources.
Objective 2: Maximising local benefit from capital build projects in west Belfast
- Developing a model of social delivery that provides sustainable jobs and training for local people
- Creating a model of social delivery that grows an effective local supply chain.
Objective 3: Creating Creative Clusters
- Sparking new initiatives in these areas.
Objective 4: Showcasing West Belfast
- Developing a good communications plan
Click here to view our document: Recognising Potential; Investment Opportunities in West Belfast
Key Actions in these areas will include:
1. Creating 200 jobs over the period 2014-2017.
The West Belfast Partnership Board was appointed under the Social Investment Fund to manage a £3.2million investment to establish an Intermediate Labour Market. This Integrated Employability Programme is designed to help those who are unemployed, and long term unemployed to secure skills, appropriate experience and training that will help them move into the mainstream labour market. Everyone employed under this programme will get a real wage. The programme will begin in Autumn 2014 and it is our hope that it will be flexible enough so that it can meet the real needs of people who want to make this journey to work.
2. Making sure that Social Clauses in construction contracts deliver real job opportunities and quality apprenticeships to local people.
Included in the GAA led development plans for a new stadium in Casement Park on the Andersonstown Road is the commitment to provide job opportunities and apprenticeships that can benefit the local area. The Social Clauses in the contract negotiated with the Developers, Heron -Buckingham Joint Venture, include:
- The employment of 46 LTU;
- The creation of 27 new apprenticeships;
- Two student placements
- Requirement of 5% of total workforce on apprenticeships for contractors/sub-contractors with over 20 employees
Other major capital projects planned for the west of the city include the construction of an Innovation Centre, £9m, the improvement of the Andersonstown Leisure Centre, £19m, St. Comhgall’s 8.3m, as well as other longer term projects such as Belfast Rapid Transit, Glen 10 and proposed development on the former Andersonstown Barracks site.
3. Sparking creative communities
In conjunction with Springvale Training, the Economic Development Unit has facilitated the first Codo Dojo Group in west Belfast. Codo Dojo encourages young people, aged 8-14 years, to learn computer coding in a friendly, fun environment.
The Economic Development Sub-group is also developing a series of other initiatives including:
- Creative Careers Fair, 4 December 2014 (details below on last year’s event)
- The Business of Music – a proposal to assist existing and aspiring musicians develop the business side of their career, understanding Intellectual Property, negotiating deals, generating publicity, etc.
4. Showcasing the West.
This strategy focuses on building a communications strategy that aims to ‘connect West’ by enhancing links both within the west and connecting west Belfast to the city and beyond. The objectives are to build networks, identify clusters and supply chains that will grow the business potential. The approach will be to focus on positive and innovative ways to promote west Belfast.
The aim of the Economic Development Unit of the West Belfast Partnership Board is to maximise economic growth and employment creation in the west of the city.
In 2014 the Economic Development Sub-Group agreed to focus its work around four key strategic areas, namely:
Economic Development Subgroup
Seamus O’Prey, Ortus Business Development (Chair)
Cllr Tim Attwood,SDLP
Sam Baker, Constituency Manager for Paul Maskey MLA, MP
Harry Connolly,Failte Feirste Thiar
Claire Ferris,Workwest
Patricia Flanagan, e3 Belfast Metropolitan College
Cllr Caoimhin Mac Giolla Mhin,Sinn Fein
Paul Maskey MLA,Sinn Fein
Richard May,Upper Springfield Neighbourhood Partnership
Geraldine McAteer,West Belfast Partnership Board
Alec McRitchie, Bombardier
Michael O’Hara, Bombardier
Deirdre Timoney, Employers Forum
Lisa Toland, Belfast City Council
Tish Holland, Upper Andersonstown Community Forum
Aidan Sloan, Springvale Learning
Ann Osborne, NOW Project
Maeve Monaghan, NOW Project
Donal Mc Kinney, Upper Springfield Development Trust
Harry Connolly, Fáilte Feirste Thiar
Jacqueline O Donnell, West Belfast Traders Forum
Kevin Gamble, Féile an Phobail
Linda Rocks, Department for Social Development
Noel Maguire, PC Meditech
Tish Hegarty, Department of Education & Learning
West Belfast Traders Forum
Investment Opportunities in West Belfast
With support from Invest NI, West Belfast Partnership commissioned an investment prospectus to promote West Belfast as an attractive place to invest and develop businesses. The brochure showcases the variety and breath of business opportunities in West Belfast, the growing sectors of tourism and creative industries that West Belfast is uniquely placed to exploit and advantages such as connectivity to the island of Ireland, EU and global markets.
It also highlighted the proposed capital build projects that will be located in the west of the city, such as Casement Park, as well as the physical resources that already exist here, in particular – the Royal Hospital, An Culturlann and the E3 Belfast Met Campus.
Download a copy of the Investment Opportunities in West Belfast Brochure
New York/ New Belfast Conference: promoting West Belfast
West Belfast Partnership’s Chief Executive had the opportunity to launch the West Belfast promotional brochure at a luncheon in June 2013 with the top 50 companies in New York, organised by the Belfast Media Group and including New York Commissioner for Small Businesses, Robb Walsh and Lord Mayor of Belfast, Máirtín O’Muilloer. Copies were presented to the NI Bureau from Washington and Irish Consulate in New York. There was a strong showing from west Belfast at the event with Mr Paul Maskey MP, Kevin Gamble of Féile An Phobail and Harry Connolly of Failté Feirste Thiar all having the opportunity to promote west Belfast as an inviting and attractive place to visit and work.