Emerging employment opportunities and 'upskilling' are at the forefront of a new scheme based around Belfast's most iconic engineering project.

Stormont Employment and Learning Minister, Danny Kennedy, launched the Titanic Quarter (TQ) Work Group Action Plan for Employment, Training and Skills this week.

He said the plan aims to ensure that local communities in Belfast can benefit, both economically and socially, from employment and training opportunities arising from the development.

The Titanic Quarter is the single largest regeneration scheme in Northern Ireland's history and is expected to create 15,000 construction jobs during its 20-year development and 20,000 permanent jobs upon completion.

Welcoming the plan, the Minister said: "The TQ Work Group Action Plan sets out the way forward for employment, training and skills provision in Titanic Quarter.

"My Department is working closely with both Belfast City Council and Titanic Quarter Limited to ensure that everyone has access to emerging employment opportunities, and, equally importantly, upskill those who need additional training in order to avail of opportunities as they occur.

"The input of the TQ Work Group will be vital in this regard," said the Ulster Unionist Stormont Minister.

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The TQ Work Group coordinates recruitment, training, skills and education programmes and the action plan will help develop work for the group through to 2012, focussing on bespoke employment approaches and initiatives to meet the needs of target groups including the long term unemployed, apprentices, graduates and undergraduates.

The development of demand-led training and employment activities, particularly in the fields of creative industries, construction, hospitality, tourism, retail and financial services, is included in the planned work of the group.

The Minister continued: "As the regeneration of the Titanic Quarter gathers pace, so shall the demand for a skilled and fit-for-purpose workforce.

"My Department will continue to provide access to the skills and training aimed at meeting the needs of the Quarter's employers and playing a key role in the economic and social regeneration of both the Titanic Quarter and the wider Greater Belfast area," he concluded.

The East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed the launch: "Developments at the Titanic Quarter are central to economic growth in east Belfast. This is an exciting project both from tourism and enterprise perspectives which will help ensure that East Belfast will remain the hub of the Northern Ireland economy.

"It is vitally important that people in the area are put front and centre of this project and have a massive say in how the project progresses. It's vital that they see the benefit of these plans, and this action plan will hopefully help ensure this happens," he said.

"We have a very proud industrial and maritime heritage in the area and this world-class project continues these traditions in a futuristic and innovative way."

Commenting on the launch, Lord Mayor of Belfast Pat Convery, said: "Belfast City Council is committed to creating and maintaining jobs in the city, particularly during these difficult economic times.

"This initiative, involving providing employment opportunities and training, is in keeping with my main priorities as Lord Mayor.

"These include supporting tourism and major investments in the city and working in partnership with the public and private bodies to create jobs and revitalise Belfast."

The Titanic Quarter Work Group Action Plan for Employment, Training and Skills is available online at: www.delni.gov.uk/titanic-quarter-work-action-plan

(BMcC/GK)