Quinn Industrial Holdings have been Highly Commended at the Business in the Community NI’s Responsible Business Award in the Education category in an awards ceremony held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, on Thursday 24th May.
News of the achievement comes just as the Company have been announced as contenders for two other prestigious awards in the Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards (WEA). Quinn’s Educational Programme is shortlisted in the Careers Inspiration category, and the company has also been named as a finalist in the Employer for the Future category.
The Business in the Community event celebrated some of Northern Ireland’s top companies from every sector, and their contribution to the community and environment. Quinn’s achievement was in the Education category, and is recognition of the innovative partnership the company has established with St. Michael’s College, Enniskillen, along with a number of other progressive initiatives, such as their Graduate and Apprenticeship Schemes, and their commitment to career progression through upskilling for their own employees.
Quinn’s partnership with St. Michael’s College has been recognised as unique to Northern Ireland by former Minister for Education, Peter Weir, and the recognition received at the Responsible Business Awards further acknowledges how this advanced strategic partnership stands out as a leading example of industry and educational collaboration in Northern Ireland.
Caroline McCaffrey, Quinn’s HR Manager, who spearheaded the initiative, said of the achievement,
“This is recognition of our demonstrated commitment to local education and skills development, which aims to cultivate a talent pool for the local region, and to provide a clear line of sight from education to employment for the young people of Fermanagh.
We have successfully developed a unique approach together with St. Michael’s College, thanks to the dedication of both parties, and are delighted to have the scheme acknowledged in this way. To be shortlisted for three awards this year certainly highlights the high standard of the work we’ve been doing.
The Responsible Business Awards Education Category was certainly hotly contested, with a number of excellent Programmes in the running, and we’re delighted to achieve the Highly Commended Certificate.
For us, the core aim is to target and nurture home grown talent, and to grow the intellectual capital of the Company. We are committed to working with St Michael’s to develop sustainable careers for our future leaders.”
Upon presentation of the Highly Commended Certificate at the Responsible Business Awards, the judges paid tribute to Quinn’s, saying that the company,
“Recognises clear issues in the rural labour market and it wants to address this by investing locally and retaining young talent. It’s invested heavily in a local school, in equipment, staff time and learning programmes. It’s effecting curriculum changes and breaking down preconceptions. Watch this space as the partnership blossoms further.”
Sean Carlin, Head of Careers at St. Michael’s College, also acknowledged the success of the Partnership and spoke of how it has benefitted the school and its students,
“We have been able to provide students with opportunities which simply wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Quinn Industrial Holdings. Their financial backing has allowed us to purchase state of the art equipment and machinery and enhance our facilities, but the Partnership goes far beyond the fiscal element.
“The contribution of precious time and effort from the people in Quinn’s, the access to their expertise and to their facilities, and the fantastic placement opportunities they have provided has been invaluable to the school and our students. The recognition at the Responsible Business Awards, and shortlisting in the Irish News WEA is truly well-deserved. It is testament to the commitment that Quinn has to fostering and developing a skilled workforce within the local area”
