Effective partnerships are helping unemployed young people in Co Antrim get back into the labour force, according to a local councillor.
Larne Mayor Councillor Geraldine Mulvenna was speaking at the launch of the Larne Jobs and Opportunities fair recently.
She said: “This fair is about helping local people find new employment and training opportunities. The event has been organised through effective collaboration and partnership working with the Department for Employment and Learning, LEDCOM, employers and various support organisations to deliver an event which will ensure jobseekers are aware of the full range of vacancies and support available to them.”
Eighteen employers exhibited at the job fair including Grafton Recruitment, Moy Park, ASDA, Tesco and Danske Bank. A range of support organisations, including the Department’s Careers Service and Employment Service, also took part offering jobseekers information, advice and guidance on careers, training opportunities and employment programmes. There was advice too on current vacancies, job search skills and job club taster sessions.
Also attending the event Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “This event provides local people with access to employers, educational and training organisations and careers and employment advisers under one roof. It demonstrates that my Department, in partnership with Larne Borough Council, is working with local employers and training organisations to help jobseekers find the most appropriate route back into employment and help employers recruit a skilled work force.”
Calling on young people to become involved in the work experience opportunities available through the Department’s Youth Employment Scheme, Mr Farry continued: “The Youth Employment Scheme addresses the issue of youth unemployment by improving young people’s skills to enable them to get a job.
“Employability skills can be obtained by active participation in a work setting with an employer or a voluntary organisation, and I am calling on young unemployed people to participate in YES and avail of a wide range of work experience opportunities on offer at www.jobcentreonline.com.”
For further information on the range of Department for Employment and Learning programmes and initiatives for job seekers, please go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/jobseekers-programmes