EMPLOYERS must invest in the development of their workforce, with government support, to improve their business performance and grow the Northern Ireland economy, according to Employment Minister Dr Stephen Farry.
He was speaking during a recent visit with young people participating in his Depart-ment’s Youth Employment Scheme (YES) with Dunbia in Dungannon.
The Youth Employment Scheme aims to give young people between the ages of 18 and 24 help and support in looking for work by offering work experience opportunities with employers.
There are various strands of YES, including the Enhanced Employer Subsidy which incorporates job specific skills training. Dunbia successfully provided employment oppor-tunities for nine young people under this scheme.
Dr Farry said: “The emphasis of the YES programme is to provide participating young people with an opportunity to sample the world of work and develop employability skills for use at future job interviews.
“These skills may include working in a team, using your initiative, problem solving, planning and organising, com-munication and interpersonal skills and computer skills. Em-ployers highly value these skills as they are used in a range of workplace settings. I commend Dunbia for its commitment to the Youth Employment Scheme by facilitating and enabling the skills development of our next generation.”