Southern Regional College (SRC) and DELI LITES IRELAND have signed a partnership agreement to work together on areas of mutual benefit including staff training, innovation, apprenticeships, student placements, tours and guest lectures, to name but a few. The partnership is committed to identifying Deli Lites’ needs and plans for the future, supporting both organisational and personal learning capacity within the company. This partnership reflects SRC’s commitment to building strong links with local industry and providing tailored solutions that help businesses stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Through the work of the Business Support and Innovation Centre, SRC offers companies expert guidance on product development, process improvement, lean implementation, technology adoption, and workforce training. The College’s goal is to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and create opportunities that strengthen both businesses and the wider community.
Deli Lites Ireland is a perfect example of this ambition in action. As a company whose purpose is to sustain people and planet, they continue to grow and invest in their people. Deli Lites has recently received the Best Green Business Award and Best Export Business Award at the Greater Newry Business Awards 2025. For Deli Lites, “sustaining people means investing in local jobs and playing an active role in our community. Sustaining the planet means making better choices every day. Supporting local isn't just something we do, it's who we are.” Brian Reid, CEO DELI LITES IRLEAND. This makes these awards all the more important for the business.
The company has committed a £12.8m investment to automate elements of their production process and expand their product range, with support from Invest NI’s Agri-Food Investment Initiative. Alongside this, they are investing a further £6m to upskill their current workforce and create 130 new jobs in the local area.
Brian Reid said: “Since our beginnings over 30 years ago, we have become an all-Ireland business with export sales growing in international markets. We've always been a trailblazer in our sector, shown when we became the first sandwich maker in the world to achieve B Corp certification.”
Lee Campbell, Principal and CEO of Southern Regional College “At Southern Regional College, we equip businesses with the skills and expertise they need to thrive. We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Deli Lites Ireland, a collaboration built on shared values of innovation, growth, and lifelong learning.”
Looking ahead, Deli Lites has already expressed interest in a range of training programmes with SRC, including Leadership and Management qualifications, Coaching and Mentoring, ESOL, Computing, and advanced courses in Automation and Mechatronics. These initiatives will support their expansion while upskilling their workforce and strengthening their culture of learning.
Emma Mullen, Head of HR – People and Culture said, “At Deli Lites, our people are at the heart of everything we do. This partnership with SRC represents a powerful opportunity to invest in skills, nurture talent, and create pathways for both our existing team and the next generation. By combining innovation in our industry with a culture of continuous learning, we are living our core value to Be a Champion — championing growth, opportunity, and ambition for our people. Working alongside SRC, we can ensure our workforce is equipped with the expertise, confidence, and passion to sustain people and planet for years to come.”
SRC is proud to support Deli Lites on this exciting journey of growth and innovation and looks forward to building a partnership that delivers long-term impact for both the company and wider community.
