(L-R) Professor of Practice at Queen’s University Belfast David Paulson, Managing Director of Moore Concrete Wilburt Moore, Moore Concrete representative who completed the course Neil Moore and Senior Executive of Manufacturing Systems at the Centre for Competitiveness, William Ussher.
A number of front-line managers from Ballymena and Antrim based manufacturing companies have joined other leading NI manufacturing companies, completing a major programme run by the Centre for Competitiveness (CforC) and the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute at Queen’s University Belfast.
The Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Programme aims to boost productivity in Northern Ireland’s Manufacturing sector and is designed to support the Department for the Economy’s ambitious 10X Economy Strategy.
The Ballymena and Antrim based manufacturers, were part of the third cohort of team members from companies to undertake the programme, which launched last year. The representatives from the Ballymena and Antrim based companies to take part in the latest cohort in the programme were Philip Hanna from Jan Composites, Gareth Pinkerton from Etrux Ltd. and Neil Moore from Moore Concrete.
They were accompanied by managers from companies including Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd, Balcas Timber Ltd, Thompson Aero Seating and Brett Martin.
(L-R) Professor of Practice at Queen’s University Belfast David Paulson, Jans Composites representative who completed the course Philip Hanna, Head of Team Support at Jans Composites Edel Healy, ETRUX Ltd representative who completed the course Gareth Pinkerton and General Manager at Etrux Ltd Gerard Galvin.
The programme is sponsored by the DfE with support from the QUB Bright Minds initiative. The graduation for these managers took place on Tuesday 23rd May at Riddel Hall at Queen’s University Belfast.
Over a four-month period, the students learnt how to improve their personal management capabilities; lead their team with confidence; and implement practical tools and techniques for effective manufacturing operations. Front line management personnel from Operations, Engineering, and Quality, leave the course more knowledgeable of the current/future trends in Manufacturing, the importance of digitalization and data analytics to drive efficiencies, and the principles of Net Zero that will govern modern supply chain processes.
William Ussher, Senior Executive - Manufacturing Systems at the Centre for Competitiveness, said:
“We are thrilled to see the continuing success of this programme and it is fantastic to be able to offer this training to even more managers in NI manufacturing companies. Our aim is to equip frontline managers across NI’s manufacturing sector with a range of skills to lead in the current manufacturing environment and prepare them to be the drivers of cost and value in their field. Congratulations to all those who completed the programme.”
Dr David Paulson of Queen’s Management School, the Programme’s Director, commented:
“This excellent group of participants, like its two predecessors, has shown once again that there is a real depth of talent in Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector. Each of them gains from learning about best practices in the other companies represented on the course. By helping them develop their understanding of finance, strategy and leadership, in addition to advanced operations management, we’re preparing them to be the manufacturing leaders of the future.”