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Northern Ireland unveils skills support

May 27 2009

A £15 million initiative has been launched to help businesses in Northern Ireland retain key skills.

Companies in the manufacturing and tradable services sectors will be able to apply for support which will subsidise salaries of workers in key skilled posts through Invest Northern Ireland's Short Term Aid Scheme.

A maximum of £450,000 is available under the initiative, with small businesses able to claim grants covering up to 80 per cent of their workers' salaries.

Enterprise minister Arlene Foster says: 'This new scheme will provide crucial and invaluable support to businesses which may otherwise have to make key employees redundant.'

She also points out that the scheme will allow firms to better position themselves for the eventual upswing and allow them to retain important skills and knowledge.

Recent research from accountancy group Tenon claimed that one-quarter of small companies plan to reduce headcount in the next three months, due to difficulties in accessing finance.

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