Union Rights & Recognition in Your Workplace- The Good Jobs Bill
2025-12-03 12:00 - 14:00 (Europe/Paris)
Townhall Meeting
12pm – Wednesday 3rd December
Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown
Wide ranging changes which will fundamentally alter the world of work are being prepared by the Department for the Economy with new legislation planned to be presented to the Assembly by the Economy Minister in the New Year.
The Good Jobs and Employment Rights Bill and other legislative tools could establish new law and rules on:

Terms of Employment
Pay and Benefits
Voice and Representation (including beefed up Union rights)
Work Life Balance

The way forward/plan is summarised here:
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-05/The%20Good%20Jobs%20Employment%20Rights%20Bill%20-%20The%20Way%20Forward%20-%20Final%2022.5.25.pdf
Most, as good employers, already operate many of the proposal and will welcome these being put into law. However, as manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of this legislation, many are expressing concerns around the Voice and Representation plans, the summary of which is:

To make Unions more accessible for workers by reducing barriers to union recognition.
Unions will have the right to request access directly into a workplace (for instance, the production floor or the canteen), including digital access (internal email systems, screens), to recruit membership where it does not currently exist.
Union recognition will be reduced from 21 to 10 workers.
Supporting moves towards collective bargaining (across industries, job roles) with the unions on wages, conditions etc.
To permit e-balloting systems as an alternative to postal ballot.
Reduce the percentage of employees from 10% to 2% required to make a request for an ICE agreement (to be informed about the business’s economic situation and about decisions likely to lead to changes in work organisation or contractual relations) and reduce the minimum number of employees required from 15 to 10.

It is vitally important that manufacturers have sight of and understand what changes may be coming and potentially prepare for all these changes.
We are very pleased that the Economy Minister has agreed to attend and introduce in person this legislation to our manufacturing community and to stay and listen to contributions from employers.
Therefore, being represented at this event in important.
Lunch will be provided.

5 Production Line Mistakes Costing Manufacturing Businesses
2026-01-21 12:30 - 13:15
🌐 Register here: ergoandwellbeing.com/webinar
Is worker discomfort, rising absence rates or quality issues impacting your production line? The root cause might be hiding in plain sight.
We’re pleased to host Julie Rainey MSc C.ErgHF MCIEHF MIHFES, Chartered Ergonomist & Human Factors Specialist and Director of Ergo & Wellbeing, for a practical webinar on production line Ergonomics.
Julie brings extensive manufacturing experience from Aston Martin (Human Factors Ergonomist) and Airbus UK (Ergonomics Specialist).
She’ll cover:

→ Why “one size fits all” workstations fit nobody properly
→ The hidden danger of “it’s only 2kg” (spoiler: multiply that by 400 lifts per shift)
→ How poor layout wastes energy and creates strain
→ Why generic training doesn’t transfer to real tasks
→ The true cost of waiting for injury before taking action

More importantly, Julie will share practical fixes including quick wins you can implement immediately and how modern assessment technology is changing what’s possible for comprehensive risk identification.
The context:
543,000 UK workers suffer from work-related MSDs annually, costing employers £21.6 billion and resulting in 33.7 million working days lost every year.
This session is relevant for:

→ Production Managers
→ Operations Directors
→ Health & Safety Professionals
→ Engineering Managers
→ Continuous Improvement Leads

Whether you’re in food production, engineering, manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals or aerospace, if you’re experiencing worker discomfort complaints, efficiency issues, quality issues, absence rates or productivity challenges, this webinar will provide actionable insights.

📅 Wednesday 21st January, 12:30-1:15pm
🌐 Register here: ergoandwellbeing.com/webinar

Menopause Matters at Work Webinar - Take Action in Your Business
2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00
Does your business have a menopause strategy in place?
As government direction and employer expectations continue to evolve, business leaders can no longer ignore the impact menopause can have on their people and performance. Continuing the theme of inclusivity in the workplace, Manufacturing NI has partnered with WorkLifePeople to equip business owners, senior leaders and HR professionals with practical tools and advice to take action in their business – building a well-thought-out menopause strategy that supports an inclusive culture.
In this webinar, we will hear from Karina Todd, Founder and CEO of WorkLifePeople, who will share how businesses can take clear, practical actions to get ahead of legislation, demonstrate responsible leadership and build environments where both people and businesses can thrive.
Agenda:
Why Menopause Matters Right Now
A look at why providing menopause support at work is no longer a ‘nice to do’ but a pressing workforce, wellbeing and retention priority.
The Changing Landscape: Policy, Risk & Leadership Responsibility
What the new government direction means for employers – and why leaders need to get ahead of the incoming legislation.
Awareness: What HR & Leaders Need to Know
A clear, practical overview of menopause, its impact at work and the realities your employees may be facing.
Allyship: Creating a Culture Where People Can Thrive
How leadership behaviours and team culture can remove stigma and build genuine psychological safety.
Action: Preparing for Menopause Action Plans
The steps organisations must start taking now to meet future requirements and create menopause-inclusive workplaces.
Why attend?

Discover why menopause is now a strategic business issue, not just a wellbeing topic.
Get ahead of the incoming legislation regarding Menopause Action Plan requirements and compliance requirements.
Find out what meaningful support actually looks like, beyond awareness sessions or outdated policies.
Build confidence in shaping strategy, supporting managers and creating an inclusive culture.
Protect talent, reduce absence and support the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce.
Gain clear, practical insights you can take straight back to your organisation.

Join us online:
📅 Wednesday 28th January 2026
⏰ 12:00 – 13:00
🌐 Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/82679fec-98b0-44ad-92a2-b4b55108b881@78a5ea4a-88af-4c7a-aeb2-b0a3d9dc328f?mc_cid=bdb93865f3&mc_eid=UNIQID

E-DATA Winter Roadshow- Derry
2026-01-30 09:30 - 23:00 | Waterfoot Hotel, Caw Roundabout, Clooney Road, Derry, BT47 6TB, United Kingdom
Accelerate Your Digital Journey with E-DATA
In the 2026 competitive landscape, digital transformation has shifted from a luxury to a matter of survival for SMEs. To help you manage costs and meet rising market demands, the E-DATA SME Workshop offers a clear, actionable path to modernising your business.
Digitalisation isn’t just about technology; it’s about measurable growth.
Research indicates that digitalised SMEs experience:

A 30% average increase in annual revenue.
A 25% boost in overall productivity.
Operational cost reductions of up to 20-30% through automation and better resource management.

Join us to see how your peers are already winning:

Retail: One local retailer saw a 40% sales increase and a 25% cost reduction via e-commerce.
Manufacturing: IoT integration has helped firms reduce downtime by 30%.
Service & Efficiency: Companies are saving over 1,000 man-hours annually by adopting digital workflow tools.

Your Tailored Path to Growth
We recognise that every business is at a different stage. Our 75-minute session breaks down the flexible E-DATA support tracks designed for your specific digitalisation maturity level. During the session we will help you identify your most critical area for digitalisation within your business and how you can gain access to 1-to-1 expert guidance. Learn about our free support services and how we can help you with your digitalisation.
🗓️ Workshop Details:
Date: Friday 30th January 2026
Time: 9:30am – 11:00am
Location: Waterfoot Hotel, Derry~Londonderry
Cost: FREE
REGISTER HERE

Director’s Duties and Corporate Governance Webinar – Protect Yourself and Your Business
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:00
Manufacturing directors operate in an environment of increasing scrutiny, heightened regulatory expectations and evolving governance requirements. Understanding your legal duties and adopting robust corporate governance practices is essential to protecting both yourself and your business.
Manufacturing NI has partnered with Mills Selig to deliver this practical and informative webinar, designed for company directors, senior leaders and business owners.
The session will provide clear guidance on:

Directors’ statutory duties
Recent compliance changes introduced by Companies House requiring mandatory identify verification of directors
Insolvency considerations
Director disqualification risks
Best practices in corporate governance, covering effective board meeting procedures, accurate record-keeping, shareholder engagement and director independence.

Attendees will leave with practical insights to strengthen governance, reduce risk and ensure their organisation is well-positioned to meet current and future obligations.
Join us online:
📅 Wednesday 4th February 2026
⏰ 12:00 – 13:00
🌐 Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/1bed63ef-8236-4b0a-848b-c336738195bc@78a5ea4a-88af-4c7a-aeb2-b0a3d9dc328f?mc_cid=bdb93865f3&mc_eid=UNIQID

Restructuring and Insolvency Webinar - How to Protect Your Business
2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:00
In a changing economic landscape, having a clear understanding of restructuring and insolvency can help businesses strengthen resilience and plan confidently for the future. Knowing the options available and when to act, enables leaders to make informed decisions that protect value and support long-term sustainability.
Manufacturing NI has partnered with Mills Selig’s expert legal team to deliver this practical and informative webinar, designed for company directors, leadership teams, finance professionals and advisors.
The session will provide clear guidance on:

An essential overview of insolvency from both the creditor’s and debtor’s perspective
Key insolvency concepts explained through a practical jargon-buster
Effective restructuring options available to businesses
Practical steps businesses can take to protect themselves when facing financial pressure

Why Attend?
Attendees will leave with increased confidence, practical insight and a clearer understanding of how to navigate financial challenges while safeguarding their business.
Join us online:
📅 Wednesday 4th March 2026
⏰ 12:00 – 13:00
🌐 Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d6d4db38-8e3b-4400-ae22-f6df86eb3f21@78a5ea4a-88af-4c7a-aeb2-b0a3d9dc328f?mc_cid=bdb93865f3&mc_eid=UNIQID

Made in NI Awards 2026
2026-05-20 18:30 - 23:00
Insider’s flagship celebration of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing and engineering excellence returns in 2026 with an expanded and updated awards programme. Now in its 11th year, the event features new and enhanced categories that reflect the sector’s innovation, growth and evolving impact on the regional economy.
For the first time, the awards will be hosted as a gala black-tie evening on Wednesday 20th May 2026 at the Titanic Museum, Belfast. Category winners will also go on to compete on the national stage at the Insider Made in the UK Awards.
Online entries are now open, with an independent judging panel – chaired by Insider’s Northern Ireland business editor, Philip Cunliffe – selecting the finalists.
The list of award categories are:

Food & Drink Award
Bio-tech Manufacturer of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Automotive Supply Chain Award
AI Tech Innovation of the Year
Engineering Manufacturer of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Newcomer of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Sustainable / Ethical Manufacturer Award
Export Award
Product Innovation of the Year
Investment Project of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Collaboration of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Engineer of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Apprentice of the Year
Manufacturer of the Year (under & over £25m)
Outstanding Contribution to Northern Ireland Manufacturing (NEW FOR 2026)

Why enter?

Free PR exposure
Complimentary ticket for all finalists
Build business connections
Automatic entry for winners to the Made in the UK Award
