Lisburn event puts focus on economy

Alliance leader Naomi Long with NI Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor, Boomer Industries Managing Director Andrew Robinson and NI Chamber President Nick Coburn. Pic by Kelvin Boyes, PressEye
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long pictured with Boomer Industries Managing Director Andrew Robinson, NI Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor and NI Chamber President Nick Coburn. 

Photo by Kelvin Boyes, Press EyeAlliance Party leader Naomi Long pictured with Boomer Industries Managing Director Andrew Robinson, NI Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor and NI Chamber President Nick Coburn. 

Photo by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long pictured with Boomer Industries Managing Director Andrew Robinson, NI Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor and NI Chamber President Nick Coburn. Photo by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye

The event on February 24, organised by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber), featured a talk by Alliance Party leader Naomi Long and discussions about the current skills shortage in the Province.

Mrs Long’s visit to the Lisburn business was part of NI Chamber’s ‘5 Leaders; 5 Days’ series, which also included events in other areas featuring addresses by DUP leader Arlene Foster, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, SDLP leader Colm Eastwood and Sinn Fein’s Northern Ireland leader Michelle O’Neill.

Speaking after the event, Nick Coburn, President of the NI Chamber, said: “Our members consistently highlight the issue of skills – or the lack of them – as an area which needs to be addressed if the Northern Ireland economy is to grow.

“Worryingly, the skills issue is likely to become even more critical as a result of Brexit.

“This is, therefore, not the time to be cutting back on investment in further and higher education. In fact, the opposite is the case. We must ensure that investment in skills is prioritised and that the funding model for universities is reviewed.”