
Belfast: Apprentice roles at risk at Artemis as scheme ends
"It would be unfair to continue without being able to support them fully."The apprenticeships were being delivered in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College, which will now try to find alternative placements for them.Three additional staff members are also at risk of redundancy as part of a review of the company's operations."This restructuring ensures that we can focus on our mission and create future opportunities," the spokesperson said.
"We are deeply committed to supporting those affected during this transition and express our gratitude to our entire team for their professionalism and resilience at this challenging time."Artemis' major project is the development of a zero carbon emissions ferry which is currently expected to be operational later in 2025..

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
New plan revealed for old Toby Carvery building near Glasgow
The proposal outlines several amendments to the external appearance of the old Hurlet Toby Carvery building on Glasgow Road to fit it out for use as a specialist veterinary ophthalmic referral clinic. The plans have been submitted by Solihull-based Veterinary Vision for the premises, which will treat animals suffering from vision problems. READ NEXT: Mrs Brown's Boys and Strictly TV stars spotted at plush hotel near Renfrewshire READ NEXT: I went to Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition in Glasgow - my verdict The company hope to install replacement cladding and new and replacement doors, as well as forming an enclosed dog walking area at the back partly covered with a canopy. The purpose of the dog walking area will primarily be to provide a secure place where dogs can go out and relieve themselves. The current application, which is currently awaiting decision, was received and validated by East Renfrewshire Council this month. The old Toby Carvery pictured several years ago (Image: Newsquest) The site previously traded as Brewer's Fayre before later operating as Toby Carvery before its closure in March 2019. Following the closure of the Toby Carvery, a funeral parlour operator intended to occupy the building, and secured planning consent for this change of use at appeal. A lease was agreed with a funeral director company to commence in June 2022, but it is understood that this use was very short lived as the property was returned to the market by May 2024. During 2024, terms were agreed for a new lease of the premises for the branch of the clinic and consent was obtained to allow this change of use. The refit will include five consultation rooms in which minor procedures can be conducted, together with three operating theatres and an associated preparation area. There will also be a separate recovery ward for dogs and cats, together with a reception with waiting areas that are separated for customers with dogs from those with cats. Ancillary facilities will include a conference/lecture room for staff training, administration offices, and staffroom/kitchen areas. Two upstairs rooms will be fitted out to enable staff members to rest between rounds for occasions when an animal must be kept in under supervision overnight.


STV News
13 hours ago
- STV News
Community charity wins £60,000 grant to renovate former library
A West Lothian charity has been awarded more than £60,000 to build a new home in its former library base. Craigshill-based Spark took control of the former Almondbank Library for just £1 in a Community Asset Transfer from West Lothian Council earlier this year. Now grant funding secured from the Scottish Land Fund will enable the charity to refurbish the building to create a permanent home for a community group which has spread from its neighbourhood roots to help thousands across the county. Chair of Spark, the former long serving Craigshill councillor Frank Anderson, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'It is great to finally see the aspirations of our organisation reach a conclusion with the award of this grant funding. It has been a daunting task but one which will see our organisation go from strength to strength. 'Our community will continue to benefit from the many and varied activities we provide and will continue to provide. There will be no change to our activities and the fabulous atmosphere generated at Spark.' Frank continued: 'Whilst this award secures our ambition to take community ownership of the building, securing our future, we are already seeking funding to bring the building to a higher standard and become more energy efficient. We know that the improvements will enhance the Mall area and secure the building for future generations to enjoy.' Alex Fleming, Chief Officer at Spark, said: 'Spark are deeply thankful to the Scottish Land Fund for supporting us in taking this vital step toward community ownership of our building in the heart of our community. This funding means we can secure a long-term home where we can continue to grow, create opportunities, and make a real difference for those who live, work and visit our community.' The SLF grant will help the charity with the initial costs of taking on ownership of the former council property including legal fees for ownership, the decoupling of utilities we have to pay as part of the acceptance. Frank told the LDRS: 'We have applied for other grants to enable us to have a more efficient heating system.' The council's Community Asset Transfer Committee agreed to the transfer of the library building in March after hearing that a measure of just part of the work the charity does suggested its social value was in excess of £500,000. Spark's membership and volunteer numbers have grown significantly over the last 18 months, as has the number and type of activities and events it delivers. Events such as our inaugural Spark in the Park, last year which saw approx. 3,000 people attend a free family event in Craigshill. The charity has been awarded a total of £63, 961 to fund the transformation of the building that has long been its home. Spark was founded as the Craigshill Good Neighbour Network almost 40 years ago. Cara Gillespie, the chair of the Scottish Land Fund Committee said: 'The focus of this round of SLF funding has been on providing groups with the funds to secure spaces where they can come together as communities in both rural and urban locations, forging social ties and helping to meet local needs.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Leader Live
16 hours ago
- Leader Live
Chancellor faces fiscal risks and ‘significant challenges' amid trade war
The IMF said the UK's 'limited' so-called headroom on its public finances gave little room to manoeuvre and called on Rachel Reeves to consider some tax changes or spending cuts. In its annual report on the UK economy, the IMF said: 'Risks to this strategy must be carefully managed. 'In an uncertain global environment and with limited fiscal headroom, fiscal rules could easily be breached if growth disappoints or interest rate shocks materialise.' The IMF praised the Government's fiscal plans, saying they 'strike a good balance between supporting growth and safeguarding fiscal sustainability'. It added that the pro-growth agenda 'covers the right areas to lift productivity'. But the IMF cautioned that 'delivering on this agenda will require overcoming significant challenges' amid the fallout from US President Donald Trump's trade war. 'Shockwaves from trade policies and rapid geopolitical developments are affecting global growth and creating heightened levels of volatility in financial markets,' it said. Added to this, it said, 'fiscal space is limited and constrained by an elevated interest burden and increasing demands on public resources, including defence and aging-related spending'. Ms Reeves said the report 'confirms that the choices we've taken have ensured Britain's economic recovery is under way, and that our plans will tackle the deep-rooted economic challenges that we inherited in the face of global headwinds'. 'Our fiscal rules allow us to confront those challenges by investing in Britain's renewal,' she said. The Washington-based IMF also recommended cutting the number of assessments of whether the Government is on track with its fiscal rules by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) from two to just once a year, ahead of the autumn budget. This could 'reduce pressure for overly frequent changes to fiscal policy', it said. The Chancellor's headroom against her main fiscal rule was estimated at £9.9 billion at the time of the spring statement in March. But the Government's U-turns on planned cuts to spending since then, such as changes to the welfare bill, are seen as having wiped this out, according to experts. This has raised fears that Ms Reeves will be forced to raise taxes or cut spending in the autumn budget. The IMF left its forecasts unchanged for the economy to grow by 1.2% this year and 1.4% in 2026. However, it added a note of caution, saying that 'risks to growth remain to the downside'. 'Tighter-than-expected financial conditions, combined with rising precautionary saving by households, would hinder the rebound in private consumption and slow the recovery,' the IMF said. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: 'This is yet more confirmation that Labour's mismanagement means that yet more tax rises are coming in the autumn.'