The Harland & Wolff shipyard is to establish a new welding academy for 30 trainees. The project is supported by the Skills Solutions arm of the Department of Employment and Learning.

Teaching will be delivered by the Belfast Metropolitan College and the Northern Regional College. The initiative will be aimed at unemployed people with a background in welding; it will include training in modern techniques.

Robert Cooper, chief executive of Harland & Wolff, said: “The manufacturing quality stipulated by our customers in the offshore oil, gas and renewable-energy sectors is among the most demanding anywhere. This training project is essential to continue to develop the core skills necessary to compete on the international stage and bring these high-value projects to our shores.”

Stephen Farry, the Minister for Employment and Learning, said: “This will ensure that one of Northern Ireland’s best-known employers will be able to access a high-quality, high-calibre and highly skilled pool of welders.”