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What is GAP?

GAP stands for the Graduate Acceleration Programme, launched in January 2010, with the objective to help hundreds of Northern Ireland graduates gain six months of invaluable work experience whilst obtaining a postgraduate qualification that will help boost their employability and improve their career prospects.

Why was GAP developed?

Across the UK, graduate vacancies have fallen drastically and are now approaching levels not seen since the recession in 1991. In response to this situation, Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster have worked alongside Business in the Community to create a programme centred on providing up to 200 graduates with meaningful work experience and a valuable qualification in a time they may have otherwise been struggling to gain employment. GAP is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning under the Steps to Work programme

Who are the key partners?

Business in the Community: A membership organisation with the remit to engage, inspire and challenge companies to excel in areas of corporate social responsibility. There are over 800 member organisations nationally and 230 of these are represented in Northern Ireland. The President is HRH The Prince of Wales and regionally the Chair is Paul Rooney, a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Department for Employment and Learning (DEL): The Department aims to promote learning and skills, to prepare people for work and to support the economy. It focusses on enhancing the provision of learning and skills, including entrepreneurship, enterprise, management and leadership; increasing the level of research and development, creativity and innovation in the Northern Ireland economy; helping individuals to acquire jobs, including self employment, and improving the linkages between employment programmes and skills development; and the development and maintenance of the framework of employment rights and responsibilities. GAP operates under DEL's Steps to Work initiative.

Queen's University Belfast: Queen's combines the best of tradition with a progressive outlook. It  is an institution with a world-class academic reputation as reflected  in the award of a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2006, the fourth time the  University has been honoured in this way.

As a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities, Queen's  is building on its tradition of excellence to secure a future for its  students - the leaders of tomorrow. They can look forward to being  taught to the highest standards by academics who are both world-class  teachers and researchers.

University of Ulster: This is a multi-campus university located in Northern Ireland. Its origins are in the combination of the New University with Magee College, Ulster Polytechnic and the College of Art and Design. The University has four campuses, in Belfast, Coleraine, Magee in Derry and Jordanstown and a fifth virtual campus, Campus One.

The University of Ulster was shortlisted for the Sunday Times University of the Year award in 2001.

GAP Chair: Dr Gerard O'Hare CBE

Managing Director, ParkerGreen International

Dr.  Gerard O'Hare CBE is one of Ireland's  most successful  property  and  business entrepreneurs.  His property company, 'Parker Green International', manages an extensive portfolio of Irish, UK and International Investment.

He is a visiting Professor at the University of Ulster and the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

He is also Chairman of the University of Ulster   Foundation; and in 2004 established a Chair in Property Development & Design at the university to promote academic excellence.

From his Newry headquarters Dr O’Hare runs a work based Post Graduate Programme for Overseas students in International Real Estate with accreditation to Masters Level and is currently extending that to Doctorate Research.

The Newry born Dr. O’Hare has been and remains an active supporter of the region’s economic development.  He is a former President of the Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade and was instrumental in creating Newry’s first Local Partnership, helping transform Newry from a border town into a thriving regional city.

Dr O Hare is also a Board Member of:

Institute for International Urban Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts;

The International Centre for Local & Regional Development;

and InterTrade Ireland (appointed jointly by both Irish and UK Governments)

He is also a member of the Institute of Directors; and a member of The Confederation of British Industry.

In June 2009, HRH Prince Charles appointed Dr O’Hare as his Ambassador for Business and Corporate Social Responsibility in Northern Ireland.  

In October 2009, Dr O’Hare, along with Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, received a joint Lambda Alpha International Award for International Urban Affairs.

Dr O’Hare has recently also been appointed as Honorary Consul for Latvia where he will have special role both for Northern   Ireland and The Republic of Ireland.

More recently, Dr O’Hare was listed in the New Years Honours List 2009 in which he was awarded his CBE Honours.

He has also recently received the coveted Maritime Lifetime Award from Ocean Youth Trust of Ireland (only ever previously awarded once before to Lord Glentoran of Antrim) and this was in particular recognition of his recent involvement with the “Green Dragon” the Irish entry in the Volvo Ocean Round The World Yacht Race 2008/9.

And for his acclaimed Chairmanship of Belfast Tall Ships 2009 which brought 850,000 visitors to the City Inner Harbour.

Dr O Hare has been helping young people around Ireland get into sailing for many years.

As a philanthropist Dr O’Hare personally supports many charitable programmes across the world not least in South America, Africa and Asia and inspires many more to help.

He has a personal interest in helping bring education to poorer societies; and in the rehabilitation of the homeless and street children in particular.