Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership celebrated its 2025/26 achievements at the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena. The event included local companies, stakeholders, participants, and training providers.

Funded by the Department for Communities, the partnership develops employment action plans for the council area. It comprises council, statutory, and local employment stakeholders. These groups work to address unemployment and economic inactivity.

The partnership engaged over 2,306 participants in employability and skills outreach. It supported 509 participants in academies and upskilling programs. Additionally, 856 young people took part in hospitality and tourism projects, and 372 young people joined NI Apprenticeship Week 2026 events.

Outcomes included 137 participants entering employment, 449 qualifications achieved, and 66 placements completed. The partnership also reached 1,349 young people through Activate Your Curiosity.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, stated that council priorities include economic growth. He noted commitment to skill development for residents and employers. Minford expressed thanks to contributors establishing jobs in the borough.

Academies covered included Transport Academy, Do It Herself, Work Connections, Start Out, Insight Youth, Medical Administration, Childcare Level 3 and Level 5, and Classroom Assistant Level 3. Representatives from TST Group, Building It Better NI, NOW Group, Network Personnel, Northern GP Federation Support Unit, and People 1st presented overviews.

Earlier, ten special educational needs school leavers completed the Ready2Work Academy. They demonstrated skills at a showcase cafe event on Friday 15 May in Whitehead. Tuition Time and Labour Market Partnership support delivered the five-day program. Minford described the participants' confidence as positive for their transition to employment.