PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT PRRT CONFERENCE
Monday 12th October saw President Mary McAleese among the keynote speakers at the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust‘s ‘Change for Success’ Conference, sponsored by BDO, at the Culloden Hotel.
The Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust (PRRT), based at Maryfield, Holywood, in marking its 10th anniversary, hosted a high profile conference which dealt with the central issues of change and workforce management.
The PRRT was established to support officers who would be affected by the downsizing in the constabulary and to address the factors they identified themselves as barriers to their effective transition into civilian life. The Trust has taken this one stage further and recently established, Futures (NI), a commercial entity, to provide their specialist service to a wider market, including both private and public sector organisations.
Eddie Gaw, Chief Executive explains, “Our organisation is a unique one, which is dedicated to assisting retired police officers, and those planning to leave the service, to recognise their potential, identify opportunities, set and achieve objectives and enjoy the optimum mental and physical well being outside policing.
“Futures (NI), our commercial entity, allows us to use this same blend of support, physical and psychological therapies, training and education and career development through the employment transition department, to assist other organisations who are dealing with change.
“This conference has been one way of bringing some of these issues into the public arena and has afforded other like minded people the opportunity to discuss the consequences of change on in any organisation and its employees.
“We’ve talked and listened a lot and it is refreshing to see that others are prepared to take a similar holistic approach to managing change.
“The Board of Directors and I are also absolutely delighted that President Mary McAleese has taken time out of her busy diary to discuss change in today’s world and for Dame Carol Black the National Director for Health and Work to share her thoughts on work, rehabilitation and well being.
“We’ve had a real mix of organisations participating, but I’m pleased that so many people gave of their time.”
Francis Martin, Managing Partner of BDO, who are the main sponsors of the conference said:
“BDO are delighted to be the main sponsor of this event which celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust. The ability to adapt and evolve is vital for all organisations, public and private, and is even more important in the current economic climate. PRRT has been at the forefront of change over the past 10 years and we are proud of our association with the Trust during this time.
“We are also joined by a range of experts from the world of business, government, occupational health and HR management all of whom have given a valuable insight into how we can navigate through current difficult economic currents. I would, finally, like to thank all those involved in organising today’s event which heralds a new era for PRRT,’ he added.
Terry Spence, Chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, said, “The Police Federation for Northern Ireland is delighted to sponsor this Conference. The Trust is a shining example of how a workforce should be treated and managed when faced with life changing decisions. The model they use has delivered proven benefits and has been endorsed by our Full Time Reserve membership. I commend them for their work over the last 10 years and they are indeed a ‘Centre of Excellence’ which other organisations should look to for inspiration’.
Other speakers included former Permanent Secretary of Department of Employment and Learning, former PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton, Sheamus Hamill, Chairman of the PRRT, Francis Martin and Michael McDonnell of BDO, Ken Belshaw and Emma Zeeman of Grafton and inspirational speaker Mark Pollock.
Paul Goggins, Minister for State, Northern Ireland opened the conference.