Newly qualified trainee civil engineering assistants met with Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd at an event celebrating the success of the Department's first Skills Academy.

The 29 engineering assistants partook in this Skills Academy, which was launched in July 2024 as a pre-employment training course designed to give candidates the skills to pursue a fulfilling career in the Civil Service.

The engineering assistants have now started their careers with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

The celebration event was held at Belfast Met, which is delivering the National Diploma in Civil Engineering in partnership with DfI in the next step of the graduates' development.

Speaking at the event, Minister O'Dowd said: "I am delighted to be here today to congratulate you on reaching this stage of your career as our engineers of the future.

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"You are joining DfI at a time of great change and opportunity and the innovative model of the Skills Academy demonstrates that momentum of change as to how we address our recruitment needs. 

"Our ambition in the Department is to be progressive and we are setting an agenda and seeking solutions that benefits the people we serve. Your role as engineers is also to seek solutions and you will undoubtedly bring new ideas to the table.

"Take pride in the projects you work on during your career with DfI as they will improve the daily lives of the people we serve. You will not only be building roads and infrastructure; you will help build our society into the future."

At the event, the Minister also set out his Foundations for a Better Future - seven objectives which will underpin the work of the Department.    

The Foundations recognise the importance of people, the economy and the environment and include a commitment to: Tackle Climate Change; Cleaner and Greener Transport; Adapting to Climate; Better Roads; Water and Wastewater; Plan to Improve; Including People.

Minister O'Dowd added: "It is fitting that I am outlining Foundations for a Better Future at this celebration event because people like you, our engineers of the future, are at the centre of everything we do.

"The Foundations will build on the success of innovative recruitment models such as the Skills Academy."