Robin Newton MBE MLA

ROBIN Newton, East Belfast DUP MLA, has welcomed the launch of the ‘Made Not Born’ programme, launched by the Department of Employment and Learning, and aimed at improving the Leadership and Management of Northern Ireland companies. Robin Newton said,

“This programme, which replaces the previously highly successful Management and Leadership Network, is a welcome introduction at a time when businesses throughout Northern Ireland are crying out for assistance to develop their workforces and improve the capabilities of those in managerial positions”.

“MLN was a success which deserves much credit and whose demise came at a particularly unfortunate time. As a consequence, Northern Ireland has been without an important source of training during a period when businesses needed assistance and guidance in this area”.

“Looking to the future, businesses need assistance which will be practical and deliver real results. As well as benefiting their businesses, they are creating more skilled and professional individuals within their workforce”.

“With this in mind it crucial this new programme is tailored to answer the needs that businesses are facing at this crucial time”.

“Northern Ireland is gradually re-establishing itself as a centre of innovation and commercial excellence. With strong leadership development we are creating the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. This is what our economy needs – to motivate those with the capability to drive Northern Ireland and take advantage of the market opportunities locally and internationally”.

“I would urge all businesses, but in particular our SMEs, to explore the opportunities that this new programme presents – those who continue to invest in their staff during this time of economic downturn will have most to gain by being better prepared for when the upturn arrives”.