We were delighted to celebrate some fabulous Employment Academy Success this week!! Participants from the very first Business Services Employment Academy were recognised at a prestigious event in Belfast City Hall last week, where the Lord Mayor of Belfast personally presented them with their certificates of achievement.
The event was a proud milestone for everyone involved, celebrating not only the individual successes of the participants but also the impact of this brand-new initiative in supporting local people back into meaningful employment
Celebrating at Belfast City Hall
The Business Services Employment Academy is one of the latest additions to Belfast City Council’s expanding Employment Academies programme and was delivered in partnership with People 1st.
The programme was specifically designed to create new opportunities in the city’s professional and business support sectors, helping participants gain the confidence, skills, and qualifications needed to move into employment in roles such as administration, customer service, reception, and wider business support.
Over the course of eight days, participants benefitted from a structured and supportive training journey that included:
- Five days of classroom training at Belfast City Council’s Adelaide Street site
- Three days of hands-on work experience within the Council
- One-to-one mentoring to build confidence, improve job applications, and prepare for interviews
- Financial support to help cover expenses such as travel
The programme was open to people who had been unemployed or economically inactive for at least six months, or those working fewer than 16 hours per week (including those on zero-hour contracts).
Employment Academy Success- Supporting People Back Into Work
By the end of the Academy, participants had not only developed practical skills and improved their job prospects, but they had also gained valuable insights into what it is like to work within Belfast City Council.
“This is a great opportunity to gain employment with such a prestigious employer within the city. The Academy offers tailored support and mentoring to help individuals return to work and progress in their careers.”
Roberta Patton, Mentor at People 1st
The initiative is also designed to help address recruitment challenges within the sector by creating a pipeline of skilled and motivated individuals ready to take up business support roles across Belfast.
Employment Academies – Building Belfast’s Future Workforce
Belfast City Council’s Employment Academies have become a key driver in connecting local people to training and job opportunities across a wide range of industries.
Each Academy is co-designed with local employers and focuses on:
- Practical skills – ensuring participants are job-ready
- Career support – with mentoring, job search assistance, and interview preparation
- Employer connections – giving insight into industry needs and opportunities
- Qualification development – helping participants gain relevant training and certifications
The Council has already seen success with previous Academies, including partnerships with major employers such as Stena Line to support careers in the maritime sector. The Business Services Academy is the latest example of how this innovative approach is helping to meet the needs of both employers and job seekers.
A Proud Celebration at City Hall
The celebration event at Belfast City Hall reflected the hard work, dedication, and progress of the participants. It was also a recognition of the value of Employment Academies in transforming lives — opening doors for people who may have struggled to re-enter the workforce and giving them the tools they need to succeed.
Many of those who took part are now better equipped to secure employment in administration, customer service, and business support roles, with the confidence and practical experience to thrive.
Want to take part in a future Academy? and enjoy Employment Academy Success…
To find out more about upcoming Employment Academies, visit the Belfast City Council website or contact us at [email protected].
You can also read more inspiring stories by searching academies in our news feed or also visiting the academies section of our website linked here: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/
