Shared Vision: Training & Career Development in Belfast
The Current Job Market and Employment Opportunities in Belfast
As the capital city of Northern Ireland, Belfast is one of the most populated cities in the UK – it is the 14th largest city in Great Britain and the 2nd largest city on the island of Ireland. As such, Belfast has always been a thriving city which was a vital part of the Industrial Revolution. It was known in the past as being the heart of the linen industry in Ireland, and later it was famed for shipbuilding as well as rope-making and the production of tobacco.
Belfast is known as the central hub for Northern Ireland's commercial and educational businesses and there is a strong workforce in the city. Since the ceasefire in 2006 which has returned Belfast to a state of relative peace, employment in the city is higher than elsewhere in the UK. This time of peace has left in its wake many historical sites which visitors come to see.
Finally, the tourist sector of Belfast has boomed in recent years, with an average of 6.4 million visitors and upwards. There are two airports in the city, Belfast City and Belfast International, and these have aided Belfast's tourism.
Professional Career Development in Belfast
At the beginning of the 20th century, Belfast was the most populated city in Ireland, due to the rise of its industrial heart. Harland and Wolff, the shipbuilding company which built the Titanic, had its home in Belfast at this time. These days, however, it has become more a city involved in tourism and information technology, with the Northern Ireland Science Park offering training courses and research facilities as well as industries such as Intel and Broadsoft. The two large airports offer a gateway to the rest of the world, and many tourists make the city a weekend destination. The newly opened Titanic Quarter attraction is another reason for the influx of visitors to the city. Run by a charity, the attraction also includes developments such as hotels, restaurants and apartments, all which have added to the city's available jobs.
Belfast has a large selection of apprenticeships available through various means. Depending on the apprenticeship, the training course will take anywhere from between one year to four years. In Belfast, there are over 250 different apprenticeships for those over 16.
Small and medium business enterprises in Belfast can join a networking/discussion forum called the Belfast Entrepreneurs Network (BEN). BEN also runs workshops and events for networking. Small companies can take advantage of the 'soapbox' part of the meetings in order to promote their companies. Direct.gov.uk offers information about training schemes offered for both employed and unemployed people in Belfast.
The largest sector of Belfast's economy is the Real Estate and Renting business activities, while Health and Social work is the second biggest. A large amount of those employed in Belfast are found in the public sector, while others are in the business services.
Career development is an important part of anyone's life. It consists of the management of your job, whether within an organisation or during the switch-over period to a new business. Belfast is a city of learning and achieving your goals. There are a selection of universities and colleges offering career development training opportunities to help you along your way, and many of those businesses in Belfast offer in-house career management programmes. Specifically, Queen's University is known for its staff and student training.
You'll find more information about business training companies and services on Actual Belfast.
Further Considerations: If you have not yet learned to drive now is a good time to make a start. Not all positions are located within easy walking distance of public transport and some positions, such as sales and on site support, require that you be able to drive. If you have a license it makes you more desirable as a candidate and provides you with greater flexibility in the roles you can apply for and locations you can work in. To find a driving school in your area visit this site.
Recommended by Prime Office Space, the commercial property partner for Shared Vision: Training & Career Development in Belfast.
Script error: /var/www/html/svtc.org.uk/include/pfxml/PFLinks6.xml is not writable. Please set write permissions on /var/www/html/svtc.org.uk/include/pfxml/PFLinks6.xml.