MEGA is supported by Invest NI and Mid Ulster Council to address the immediate and medium-term skills shortages in the manufacturing and engineering industries in the Mid-Ulster area. MEGA is unique in that we are an industry led collaborative network who are working together towards this common goal.
Steering GroupSteering Group
Companies represented on the steering group include Edge Innovate, Specdrum, Nugent Engineering, Mallaghan Engineering, Steelweld, Strickland Ireland and Greiner Packaging.
MEGA Steering Committee:
Darragh Cullen, Edge Innovate (Chair)
Roisin McCabe, Specdrum
Dominic Young, Steelweld
Sinead Gaynor, Mallaghan’s
Shane Nugent, Nugent Engineering
Leigh Falls, Nugent Engineering
Trisha O’Connor
Aidan O’Neill, Strickland
Philip Woolsey, Greiner Packaging
Linda Jamison InvestNI
Ciara Kilpatrick InvestNI
Paul McCreedy, Mid Ulster District Council
Alan McKeown, Strategic Advisor
Picture to left: Education & Careers Sub Committee
Our Sub Committees Education & Careers
With the establishment of a MEGA Education and Careers sub-committee, strategic plans are being established to strengthen links between industry and education.
This will include inspiring people into the sector through MEGA Ambassadors, who will visit local schools and engage with and impress upon young people the real live experiences of a career pathway in the sector. Improving quality work experience and rolling out summer internships in businesses can add further opportunities to encourage our young people to become part of a proud workforce building great products for customers all over the world.
Over 80% of businesses in NI would be willing to play a greater role in supporting careers advice in schools. Employers believe all subject teachers should have links with industry to ensure that students can link what they learn in the classroom to future work.
Our industry partners welcome teachers to spend time in their businesses and are willing to inspire students through industry visits, mentoring and through project-based learning activities. We believe work experience is essential if students are to make informed career decisions. We need to ensure that our industry inspires students whilst they are in its midst. Our partner companies need to outline clearly all pathways into the sector, what skills and qualifications are required and how people can progress through the business.
Attract
Our Attract sub-committee’s main aim is to tackle the diminishing labour pool here in Mid Ulster and create and implement ways to attract and retain talent in the engineering and manufacturing sector.
Our agenda is a very active and fluid process and we are constantly looking at ways to encourage diversity in the workforce and actively promoting more women into the sector.
We aim to introduce a range of inspiring Ambassadors who will offer a range of support in local schools speaking to young people from age 5-18 through a range of activities ie mentoring, school visits, careers talks, recruitment fairs, etc.
We will identify ‘labour pools’ and target specific groups of people to reskill and upskill through the implementation of promotional campaigns. The Attract sub-committee is made up of industry reps, Rural Action, British Council, Dept for Communities, Sentinus and Business in the Community.
Apprenticeships
Greater collaboration with schools, colleges and universities is seen by the MEGA network members as being vital in ensuring curriculum content is aligned to industry needs.
We must create a greater awareness of the value and major advantages of pursuing a career pathway through an apprenticeship model and how crucial the technical skills are to companies in this sector. Apprenticeships are available at all levels and will deliver an informed and skilled workforce that industry requires.
The MEGA network believes that economies will grow and prosper if we educate and train our people for the jobs that exist HERE today and will exist HERE tomorrow. The apprenticeship sub-committee is made up of industry reps, apprentices, parents, careers teachers and training providers.
The MEGA Apprenticeship Model describes what an apprenticeship is, its benefits, the entry criteria and the pathway involved. The purpose of the model is to standardise the apprentice programme, adopted by all the network companies, to ensure the apprentice gains a work experience of equal quality and of the highest standard for their future career.
Business Engagement
The overall purpose of the Business Engagement sub-committee is to engage with businesses to maintain an ongoing monitoring process of skills gaps and identify emerging trends in technology to ensure sustained global competitiveness.
We have created learning opportunities for MEGA members to embrace Industry 4.0, lean manufacturing, smart technologies and leadership. The Business Engagement sub-committee is dedicated to ensuring our thriving manufacturing hub in Mid Ulster has a sustainable future, by working to develop and sustain a healthy pipeline of employees equipped with the skills and expertise required to future proof these global businesses.
Help us grow our MEGA Membership.
We are seeking to engage with SME business owners and employees who can play an active role in tackling the challenges we face and support the delivery of our strategic objectives. Get involved today and help shape the future of our industry.
