Fifteen students have graduated from the Department for Infrastructure’s Civil Engineering Skills Academy and will now be offered the opportunity to interview for permanent positions within the department.

The academy, a collaborative initiative between the department and Belfast Metropolitan College, is now in its second year. Participants received training in surveying, contract management, construction, traffic management, health and safety, and essential IT, while also developing skills in communication, teamwork, and personal development. The programme leads to industry-recognised accredited qualifications.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins met the graduates and described their profession as central to the department’s work, from roads and water supply to flood defences. She said the combination of study and a direct path to employment offers a strong route into civil engineering and contributes to meeting future infrastructure needs.

Damian Duffy, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, noted the partnership’s success in aligning training with the department’s workplace requirements. He said the academy has helped participants build knowledge and confidence, and demonstrates how targeted skills programmes can create clear employment pathways.