The regeneration of the Titanic Quarter will create at least 35,000 jobs in east Belfast, it has been revealed.

Belfast City Council and the Department for Employment and Learning announced this week that 15,000 construction jobs should be created during its 20 year development and 20,000 permanent jobs when |completed.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Pat Convery, and Employment and Learning Minister Danny Kennedy launched the Titanic Quarter (TQ) Work Group Action Plan for Employment, Training and Skills.

They said the Action Plan aims to ensure that local communities in Belfast can benefit, both economically and socially, from employment and training opportunities arising from the development.

The Minister said: “The TQ Work Group Action Plan sets out the way forward for employment, training and skills provision in Titanic Quarter.

“The input of the TQ Work Group will be vital in this regard.”

He continued: “As the regeneration of the Titanic Quarter gathers pace, so shall the demand for a skilled and fit-for-purpose workforce.”

Councillor Convery said: “Belfast City Council is committed to creating and maintaining jobs in the city, particularly during these difficult economic times.

“This initiative, involving providing employment opportunities and training, is in keeping with my main priorities as Lord Mayor.”

East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle welcomed the launch of the plan.

He said that people in the area “must be at the front and centre” of the project and that their views must be heard.

“Developments at the Titanic Quarter are central to economic growth in east Belfast,” Mr Lyttle said.

“This is an exciting project both from tourism and enterprise perspectives which will help ensure that east Belfast will remain the hub of the Northern Ireland |economy.

“It is vitally important that people see the benefit of these plans, and this action plan will hopefully help ensure this happens.

“We have a very proud industrial and maritime heritage in the area and this world-class project continues these traditions in a futuristic and innovative way.”

East Belfast UUP councillor Michael Copeland said: “This redevelopment will change the landscape of the city of Belfast forever.

“It remains to be seen if the changes will be entirely welcome.

“The investment will generate jobs and opportunities for the city.

“The Celtic Tiger, which has so recently stopped purring was built on property; Belfast was built on manufacturing.”