MINISTER for Employment and Learning Dr Stephen Farry has launched a new employment programme to meet what he described as ‘future challenges’ in the jobs sector.
The initiative, entitled Steps 2 Success (NI), will start in June 2014 and will replace the Steps to Work programme which will end next year when the contracts to deliver the current programme expire.
Dr Farry said: “The current programme, Steps to Work, has been in operation since 2008 and has served Northern Ireland well, as demonstrated through its independently assessed and verified performance results. While a strong programme, there are many new challenges and a next generation programme is essential.
“I am confident that in developing a replacement programme we are building on the strengths of Steps to Work. With the ongoing economic uncertainty it is important that we have in place a new employment programme which addresses the needs of those struggling to gain, or indeed regain, a foot on the employment ladder.”
The key aims of the Step 2
Success programme will be to:
increase the number of participants finding and sustaining employment;
support those most in need, regardless of employment barriers;
maximise the flexibility in the programme approach; and
build a programme that can adapt to changes in the economy and the needs of clients.
The minister continued: “Steps 2 Success is also part of a wider package of help and assistance being developed across my Department’s Employment Service.
“Alongside the new programme, a more work-focussed tailored service has been developed for all customers. This service improvement is being rolled out across the Jobs and Benefits office/JobCentre network to enhance and strengthen the help available to all customers who are seeking work.
“Jobseekers will continue to receive initial help and support from an employment service adviser. These advisers will deliver an enhanced frontline service using diagnostic tools and support to help customers to find and sustain work at the earliest opportunity.
“There is a wide portfolio of provision which front line staff can avail of to support clients at the earliest stage to get back to work.”