A Construction Employment Academy (CEA) is to be established to build a workforce for Belfast.

Translink and Belfast City Council have teamed up to deliver the 'Buy Social' clauses during the construction and engineering phase of the new station and associated infrastructure at Weavers Cross.

The CEA will provide information, training and on-going support to potential new entrants to ensure readiness in nearby communities for these construction jobs.

Through 'Targeted Recruitment and Training clauses', the Weavers Cross project could see up to 100 'Buy Social' opportunities generated within the local construction sector through the build and engineering of the new station and associated engineering contracts.

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Chris Conway, Translink Group CEO, said: "Translink is delighted to have agreed this important and innovative partnership with the Belfast City Council. As a key flagship project for the NI Executive, Weavers Cross is an ambitious and exciting scheme with potential to provide many years of employment and training opportunities for local people.

"The formation of a bespoke Construction Employment Academy will ensure we can support potential new entrants into the many opportunities around skills, training, work placement and apprenticeships – its aim is to simply provide real training for real construction jobs in Belfast.

"We have had much engagement with the surrounding communities in relation to the Buy Social scheme and feedback has been very positive. We are looking forward to building on this as we progress this important project for Belfast and Northern Ireland."

(CD/MH)